Archive for February, 2009

 

New Tax and Fee Proposals :(

Feb 20, 2009 in Feb 2009, Uncategorized

New Tax and Fee Proposals—Supervisors’ Answer to Stimulating Local Economy
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors always marches to its own drummer. While everyone in Washington, D.C. and heads of state the world over are talking about the need to cut taxes to stimulate the economy, the Board of Supervisors is talking about conducting a special election to seek voter approval of a host of new tax and fee increase proposals. Their objective is to generate enough new revenue to be able to maintain current government spending levels—all of this while everyone in the private sector is cutting back.
A special election in June is off the table but one is still possible in August.

Here’s a summary of what the board is considering to submit to the voters for their approval at a special election in August or at the regular election in November.
Ordering Submission of Gross Receipts Tax to VotersSupervisor Avalos
Ordinance amending the Business and Tax Regulations Code to: (1) enact a new Article 12-A-1 (Gross Receipts Tax Ordinance), Sections 951 through 958, to impose a gross receipts tax on persons engaging in business activities in San Francisco; (2) amend Article 12 (Business Registration Ordinance) to conform business registration requirements with the enactment of Article 12-A-1 (Gross Receipts Tax Ordinance); (3) amend Article 6 (Common Administrative Provisions) to conform them with the enactment of Article 12-A-1 (Gross Receipts Tax Ordinance); and (4) amend Article 12-A (Payroll Expense Tax Ordinance) to conform it with the enactment of Article 12-A-1 (Gross Receipts Tax Ordinance). 090133

One-half of one percent (0.50%) Sales Tax Increase for Emergency Health and Human Services and Public ProtectionSupervisor Avalos
Ordinance amending the San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code to add Article 16-A to provide support for emergency health and human services and public protection to residents of the City and County of San Francisco by imposing a transactions (sales) and use tax at the rate of one-half of one percent (0.50%) for a period of three (3) years, to be administered by the State Board of Equalization in accordance with Parts 1.6 and 1.7 of Division 2 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. 090133

Ordering Submission of Proposed Payroll Expense Tax Amendment to Voters—Supervisor Chiu
Ordinance amending (1) Section 903.1 to reduce the Payroll Expense Tax rate from 1.5% to 1.0%, for business whose taxable payroll expense exceeds $300,000, but is less than or equal to $400,000, beginning with the 2010 tax year; and (2) Section 905-A to increase the Small Business Tax Exemption to include all taxpayers whose taxable payroll expense is $300,000 or less, beginning with the 2010 tax year. 090135

Ordinance imposing a local assessment on all vehicles in San Francisco that are subject to Department of Motor Vehicle registration
Ordinance amending the San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code to add Article 8 imposing a voter-approved local assessment on the privilege of a resident of the City and County to operate upon the public highways in the City and County a vehicle or trailer coach, the registrant of which is subject to tax under Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, at a rate not to exceed the difference between two percent of the market value of the vehicle or trailer coach and the rate imposed by the State of California pursuant to Section 10751 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, administered by the State Department of Motor Vehicles; acknowledging that state law has not yet been enacted authorizing the imposition of the assessment but approving imposition of such a charge at the specified rate when and if state law authorizes the City to impose it. 090188

Adopting and submitting to the voters an ordinance imposing a local assessment on all vehicles in San Francisco that are subject to Department of Motor Vehicle registration— Supervisors Chiu, Dufty
Ordinance adopting and submitting to the voters the ordinance amending the San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code to add Article 8 imposing a voter-approved local assessment on the privilege of a resident of the City and County to operate upon the public highways in the City and County a vehicle or trailer coach, the registrant of which is subject to tax under Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, at a rate not to exceed the difference between two percent of the market value of the vehicle or trailer coach and the rate imposed by the State of California pursuant to Section 10751 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, administered by the State Department of Motor Vehicles; acknowledging that state law has not yet been enacted authorizing the imposition of the assessment but approving imposition of such a charge at the specified rate when and if state law authorizes the City to impose it. 090136

So what does this mean??? Stay Tunned I have left messages for both Supervisors and am waiting on a call back!

Gimme Tax Shelter

Feb 09, 2009 in Feb 2009

It’s time for that yearly financial gut-check that comes just before the April 15 tax return filing deadline. Relief this year comes in the form of housing tax credits that provide tax incentives to homeowners, first-time home buyers, and developers of low-income housing. The incentives include a one-year limited property tax deduction for homeowners who do not itemize their deductions; a temporary tax credit for eligible first-time home buyers; increased tax credits for developers of low-income rental housing; and expansion of the mortgage revenue bond program to help at-risk subprime borrowers refinance their homes.
  

The property tax deduction, for example, allows homeowners who pay property taxes, but who do not itemize their deductions, to get a one-time limited increase in the standard deduction on their 2008 taxes. This increases the standard deduction by $500 ($1,000 for married filing jointly), but not by more than the amount paid in state and local property taxes for the year. 
 

Also available is a tax credit for first-time home buyers who close on their abodes on or after April 9, 2008, and before July 1, 2009. Worth 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, up to a maximum credit of $7,500 ($3,750 each for married filing separately), this tax credit is temporary and must be repaid in equal installments over 15 years.
  

If you purchase a house in 2009 after filing your 2008 taxes, you can file an amended 2008 tax return to claim the credit. The home buyer tax credit (www.federalhousing taxcredit.com/faq.php) is a refundable credit that can lower the amount of federal income taxes you owe or even result in a cash payment.
  

Go Green for Green
  

>> When President Bush signed the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, he also increased limits on government-backed home loans. Later, he also signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which included an extension of the residential tax credits for energy-efficient improvements. The tax credit (of up to $500) is available for insulation, replacement windows, water heaters, and certain high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment installed in 2009.
  

Tax credits are also available for qualified solar-water heating and photovoltaic systems installed between 2006 and 2016. The tax credit is good for 30 percent of the cost of the system, up to $2,000. Additionally, there is a consumer tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost (up to $500 per 0.5 kilowatt of capacity, maximum) for installing a “qualified” fuel cell and microturbine systems between 2006 and 2016. You can learn more about these tax credits for energy efficiency at www.energystar.gov .