Tax Monitor

State and Local Tax

U.S. Supreme Court Decision Clears the Way for West Virginia to Tax Internet Sales

October 10, 2018

On June 21, 2018, in a 5-4 opinion, the United States Supreme Court overturned Quill Corp. v. North Dakota and National Bellas Hess, Inc. v. Department of Revenue of Illinois, which had previously held that a state cannot require an out-of-state seller with no physical presence in the state to collect and remit sales taxes on goods the seller ships to consumers in the state.  See South Dakota v. …

Tax Deferred Annuities – Heightened Fiduciary Scrutiny

November 14, 2016

Over the last several years, much has been written in connection with the surge of “excessive fee” litigation against Section 401(k) plans.  The surge continues and has now been extended to Section 403(b) plans which are often referred to as Tax Deferred Annuities.  One commentator estimates that over twenty class action excessive fee litigation cases were filed during the first quarter of 2016…

Tax Commissioner publishes tentative 2017 Natural Resource Valuation Variables for Public Comment

July 13, 2016

On June 30, 2016, the State Tax Commissioner published the 2017 tentative natural resource property valuation variables developed by the State Tax Department for appraising natural gas, oil, coal, managed timberland and other natural resources for ad valorem tax purposes. The Tax Department will accept written public comments on the valuation variables until August 1, 2016.  Final valuation…

Employee or Independent Contractor? That is the Question

February 11, 2016

The federal government continues to focus on what various agencies refer to as “misclassified” employees -- workers who should be treated as employees but whom the employer classifies as independent contractors. Many businesses prefer to utilize independent contractors rather than employees. With independent contractors, businesses are not subject to FICA/FUTA obligations, federal and state…

Increased Limited Liability Company Tax Audits Are Coming

January 7, 2016

The increase in usage of limited liability companies (“LLCs”) as the business form of choice has led to changes in the IRS statutes concerning audits of LLCs. On November 2, 2015, President Obama signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (“BBA”) into law. The BBA brings drastic changes to the audit process of partnerships which will allow the IRS greater enforcement and collection authority in…