Stephen P. Kranz
Subscribe to Stephen P. Kranz's PostsStephen (Steve) P. Kranz is a tax lawyer who solves tax problems differently. Over the course of his extensive career, Steve has acquired specific skills and developed a unique approach that helps clients develop and implement holistic solutions to all varieties of tax problems. He combines strategic thinking with effective skills for the courtroom, the statehouse and the conference room. Read Stephen Kranz's full bio.
Batten Down the Hatches: Digital Tax Nor’easter Coming This Fall
By Eric D. Carstens, Mark Nebergall and Stephen P. Kranz on Jun 28, 2019
Posted In Connecticut, Rhode Island, Sales Tax, Tax Base
Recently passed budget legislation in both Connecticut and Rhode Island included tax increases on sales of digital goods and services. The Connecticut bill has been signed into law. The Rhode Island bill passed late last night awaits executive action. Below are brief summaries of the impacts of these bills on the sales taxation of digital...
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Wisconsin Enacts Discriminatory Exit Charge for Businesses Moving out of State
By Mark Nebergall and Stephen P. Kranz on Jun 28, 2019
Posted In Constitutional Issues, Income Tax, Tax Base
On June 24, 2019, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D), signed into law AB 10, entitled “2019 Wisconsin Act 7.” This Act either bars a deduction for, or requires that amounts deducted be added back to, Wisconsin taxable income “for moving expenses” deducted on federal income tax returns if the expenses are associated with a move...
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BREAKING NEWS: More States Opt Not to Tax GILTI
By Stephen P. Kranz on Jun 27, 2019
Posted In Florida, Income Tax, New York, Oregon, Tax Base
This has been an eventful and exciting week for those interested in the states’ taxation of global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI). On Monday, taxpayers received the good news that New York Governor Cuomo signed S. 6615—a bill that excludes 95% of GILTI from the New York State corporate income tax base. By passing this bill,...
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Kentucky to Begin Taxing Video Streaming Services under Telecom Tax
By Eric D. Carstens, Mark Nebergall and Stephen P. Kranz on May 24, 2019
Posted In Kentucky, Sales Tax, Tax Base, Transaction Taxes
Legislators in Frankfort added a new “video streaming service” tax to the omnibus tax bill (HB 354) as part of a closed-door conference committee process before the bill was hastily passed in the House and Senate. Notably, the new video streaming service tax was not previously raised or discussed as part of HB 354 (or...
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Tennessee Joins Other States in Excluding GILTI and 965 Income from the Tax Base
By Stephen P. Kranz on May 15, 2019
Posted In Constitutional Issues, Income Tax, Tax Base, Tennessee
On May 8, Governor Bill Lee (R) signed SB 558, which provides for the exclusion of 95% of Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) and foreign earnings deemed repatriated under IRC section 965 (965 Income) from the tax base for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. By enacting this bill, Tennessee joins about...
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An Uneven Playing Field: Judicial Deference to State Tax Administrator Interpretations
By Diann Smith, Mark Nebergall and Stephen P. Kranz on May 14, 2019
Posted In Audits, Constitutional Issues, Income Tax, Local Tax, Nationwide Importance, Sales Tax
Judicial deference to state tax agencies puts taxpayers at a steep disadvantage and wastes time and resources on costly tax disputes. A united advocacy effort can help promote passage of state-level legislation that takes the tax administrator’s thumb off the scales of justice in administrative and judicial review of tax determinations. Access the full article....
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California Bill Would Remove Tax Bar to False Claims Act
By Diann Smith, Mark Nebergall and Stephen P. Kranz on May 1, 2019
Posted In California, False Claims Act, Nationwide Importance
California legislators have recently introduced a bill, AB 1270, that would amend the False Claims Act (Act) to strike the tax bar. As introduced, the bill would amend the existing false claims statute in the state of California to expressly authorize tax-related false claims actions against a person whose reported taxable income, net income, or...
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Nevada Bill Proposes Broad New Excise Tax on Sales of Digital Goods and Services
By Eric D. Carstens, Mark Nebergall and Stephen P. Kranz on Apr 2, 2019
Posted In Nevada, Tax Base, Transaction Taxes
A bill (AB 447) was introduced on March 25th in the Nevada Assembly that would create a broad new excise tax on the retail sale of “specified digital products” to Nevada customers. Instead of expanding the scope of Nevada’s sales and use tax, the bill would enact an entirely new chapter of the Revenue and...
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QHTC You Later: DC Bids Farewell to Historic QHTC Certification Process
By Diann Smith, Eric D. Carstens and Stephen P. Kranz on Feb 8, 2019
Posted In District of Columbia, Incentives, Local Tax, Procedure
The District of Columbia (DC) Office of Tax & Revenue (OTR) implemented sweeping changes to the Qualified High Technology Company (QHTC) certification process this year. As you may remember, beginning last year, OTR implemented a new online QHTC self-certification process for companies to obtain exempt purchase certificates. This year, OTR is expanding the scope of...
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Delaware Starts Unclaimed Property “Compliance Reviews” (Different from Audits)
By Diann Smith, Eric D. Carstens and Stephen P. Kranz on Jan 16, 2019
Posted In Delaware, Unclaimed Property
If the Delaware Office of Unclaimed Property believes that a person may have filed an “inaccurate, incomplete, or false report,” the State Escheator may authorize a “compliance review” under Del. Code Ann. tit. 12, § 1170(b). This is not a standard audit and as a result, the target is not entitled to the option of...
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