State Solar Energy Tax Credit Limit Has Been Reached

The amount of claims already submitted for Louisiana’s solar energy system tax credit exceeds the amount of money available to pay claims on purchased systems through the scheduled end of the credit program on December 31, 2017. Consumers purchasing residential solar energy systems from this point forward should not expect to receive tax credits from the state. Act 131 of …

I Got a Notice From the IRS – What Should I Do?

The IRS will send a notice or a letter for any number of reasons. It may be about a specific issue on your federal tax return or account, or may tell you about changes to your account, ask you for more information, or request a payment. Before you proceed, check where the notice came from – make sure it’s from …

Should Louisiana Raise Taxes Again?

Two interesting and related articles this morning – the first from The Advocate regarding a poll about raising taxes during the upcoming Special Session: FULL ARTICLE ON BUSINESSREPORT.COM “Roughly seven in 10 Louisianans, or 72%, believe increasing taxes will keep businesses from relocating to The Bayou State, according to the results of a poll of 500 “likely voters” released Tuesday …

Changes to Louisiana Corporate Franchise Law Tax

The changes to the Louisiana corporate franchise tax adopted during the Session appear to be potentially more far reaching than the changes to the state sales and use tax. For tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, Act 12 (signed by the Governor and effective March 10, 2016) expands the Louisiana corporate franchise tax to all entities (whether …

Changes to the Solar Credit for Louisiana Taxpayers

The Regular Legislative Session made several changes to the solar credit as described in Act 131. Act 131 repealed the eligibility of numerous types of systems, including but not limited to solar thermal systems and solar air conditioning systems, and imposed a requirement that the solar energy system be installed on the homeowner’s primary residence. Act 131 also reduced the …

Vapor Excise Taxes in Louisiana

The sale of vapor products grew by 23 percent in 2014, and some project that vapor products will surpass traditional cigarettes in consumption over the next decade. This leaves policymakers with the challenge of determining exactly how or whether these emerging products should be taxed.In the 2015 legislative session, at least 25 states and the District of Columbia considered legislation …

Changes to Tax Status of Non-Profits

A number of changes were made during the Special Session under Act 25 and 26 to the tax status of non-profit organizations in Louisiana. These changes to sales taxes are of particular concern because non-profits must now collect sales tax for items which were previously tax-exempt. Effective April 1, 2016, various events sponsored by domestic nonprofit, charitable, religious and educational …

2016 Tax Deadlines

This year, the tax deadline falls on April 18, 2016. That’s the deadline to file personal tax returns (such as Form 1040) with the Internal Revenue Service. Normally, the deadline is April 15th. But this year, April 15th is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Under a special rule, whenever the tax deadline falls on a …

Louisiana Fiscal Reform: A Framework for the Future

The Tax Foundation has completed an exhaustive study of the tax structure of Louisiana and produced a book which is meant to guide the State in achieving the goal of true fiscal reform. The Tax Foundation’s team of tax economists met with stakeholders from all walks of Louisiana life, including small business owners, local government officials, trade associations, industry representatives, …