Insights

Qualities of a Fair State Tax Administration Part 5 – Transparency via Published Letter Rulings and Decisions

July 20, 2014.
Tax Publications

This is the fifth and final posting in a series about the qualities of a fair state tax administration. These measurements were used by the Council on State Taxation (COST) to analyze each state’s fairness in administering its taxes. Their fifth published report is found here. ...

Qualities of a Fair State Tax Administration Part 4 – Adjustments to Federal Corporate Tax Liability: Amending State Returns

July 19, 2014.
Tax Publications

This is the fourth in a series of posts about the qualities of a fair state tax administration. These measurements were used by the Council on State Taxation (COST) to analyze each state’s fairness in administering its taxes. Whenever a federal income tax return is changed,...

House Votes to Reinstate Research and Experimentation Tax Credit

July 18, 2014.
Tax Publications

On May 9, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reinstate the Research & Experimentation Tax Credit under Section 41 of the Internal Revenue Code. This had previously expired on December 31, 2013. It must still pass the Senate where the Senate Finance Committee backs a measure extending the credit through the...

Qualities of a Fair State Tax Administration Part 3 – Corporate Income Tax Return Due Dates and Protest Periods

July 17, 2014.
Tax Publications

This is the third in a series of posts about the qualities of a fair state tax administration. These measurements were used by the Council on State Taxation (COST) to analyze each state’s fairness in administering its taxes. The two qualities discussed in this article deal...

Georgia Broadens Manufacturing Exemption

July 15, 2014.
Tax Publications

On July 1, 2014, Georgia will put into effect a broader scope of items included in the manufacturing exemption for sales and use tax. House Bill 900 was signed into effect by Governor Deal on April 24, 2014, a copy of which can be found here. What It Entails Consumable supplies are defined in...

New York State Franchise Tax Sweeping Changes in 2015

July 08, 2014.
Tax Publications

On March 31, 2014, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the most extensive New York state corporation franchise tax reforms in almost four generations. The overall result was to eliminate some of the older elements of the franchise tax and implement rules that are more in line with other major states. Some...

Potential U.S. West Coast Port Strikes - Update

June 25, 2014.
Logistics Publications

Last month, Allyn published an article about the threat of a possible strike in West Coast ports in lieu of the July 1st expiration date for the contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association. Hopes are high that the strike will be avoided,...

The Revival of the Breakbulk and Heavy-Lift Market

June 15, 2014.
Logistics Publications

The year 2013 was a disappointing year for the breakbulk and heavy-lift cargo industry. In fact, 2013 was even worse for ship owners than recession-stricken 2009. Demand for general cargo dropped 30 percent from 2012 to 2013 and 15 percent for project cargo alone (Marex, 2014). However, with the recent boom in the oil and gas sector, 2014 has...

Changes to Export Regulations Involving Satellites

June 03, 2014.
Trade Publications

On May 13, 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published regulations expected to significantly change export controls on civil and commercial satellites and their related articles. These new regulatory changes will impact the civil and commercial satellite industry as the export of certain items...

Why is My Shipment Stuck in Customs?

June 02, 2014.
Trade Publications

Your import supply chain has many moving parts, and in order for it to be as efficient as possible all those parts should move like clockwork. If your current supply chain is wrought with storage charges, delayed shipments, and a lack of direction or organization, you can take steps to...

Changes to Export Regulations Involving Satellites

May 12, 2014.
Trade Publications

Change In AES Exemptions for TIB & Carnet

May 08, 2014.
Trade Publications

As of April 5th, 2014, a final rule under the U.S. Foreign Trade Regulations will be enforced requiring some items which were previously exempt under 15 CFR 30.37 to be tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau using the Automated Export System (AES). The final rule removes the exemptions for temporary shipments....