Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tax plan opens new opportunities for taxpayers and state legislators to save key deductions
Los Angeles Times ^ | December 14, 2017 | Michael Hiltzik

Posted on 12/15/2017 7:55:38 PM PST by KingofZion

Limiting the SALT deduction could affect as many as 6 million Californians—one of every three taxpaying households in the state, according to Michael Cohen, director of the state Department of Finance. The average deduction for property taxes is about $6,000, he has told the state congressional delegation, and the separate deduction for state and local income taxes comes to nearly $16,000 per return.

One option that could be considered by the Legislature would be to redefine state and local taxes as charitable contributions, which remain fully deductible under the GOP tax proposals. The idea isn’t as implausible as it seems: The Internal Revenue Service and federal courts have ruled that government entities can count as charities for the purpose of the charitable deduction, even when the donor receives a full state or local tax credit in return.

Indeed, legislators in Sacramento already are working on a plan to give taxpayers the option of making charitable deductions to state government and taking a tax credit. [SNIP]

California and other states already have similar systems in place, Stark told me. California’s college access fund grants a 50% state tax credit for contributions to the Cal Grants program, which aids low-income college students. The program, which this year was extended through 2023, hasn’t been especially popular—although a maximum of $500 million in credits is available each year, only $5.4 million was claimed in 2016, the latest year available. That’s probably because the 50% tax credit isn’t very alluring, and only AMT taxpayers would find the credit to be of any use, Stark says....

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: reform; salt; taxes
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last
I love it. The state and local tax deduction has been a part of the federal tax code since 1862, and the states will not give it up so easily...
1 posted on 12/15/2017 7:55:39 PM PST by KingofZion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

??? I thought the federal income tax system as we know it started in 1913, via constitutional amendment allowing for it?


2 posted on 12/15/2017 8:00:29 PM PST by Dilbert San Diego
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Taxes as a charitable deduction? Well I would have never believed mandatory health insurance would be declared as a tax by the supreme court.

Pass the popcorn!


3 posted on 12/15/2017 8:01:30 PM PST by Robert357 ( Dan Rather was discharged as "medically unfit" on May 11, 1954.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

These people are nuts. Isn’t charity voluntary? If state taxes are now a charity, they should be voluntary as well. Right?


4 posted on 12/15/2017 8:01:56 PM PST by brewcrew1965 (Liberalism is a mental disorder.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

BkMked.


5 posted on 12/15/2017 8:07:13 PM PST by Inyo-Mono
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

This is genius, and a big F U to the anti-California communists who want to redistribute our wealth.


6 posted on 12/15/2017 8:11:59 PM PST by CaliGangsta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

One option that could be considered by the Legislature would be to redefine state and local taxes as charitable contributions


That’s tantruming leftist crazy talk. And you “love it”? Ok.


7 posted on 12/15/2017 8:12:49 PM PST by lodi90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

The state can do what ever they want, the feds don’t have to abide by state laws.


8 posted on 12/15/2017 8:13:54 PM PST by JoSixChip (Repeal and replace the gopE.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: brewcrew1965

These people are nuts. Isn’t charity voluntary? If state taxes are now a charity, they should be voluntary as well. Right?


Yep. POTUS has driven them insane. LOL.


9 posted on 12/15/2017 8:14:36 PM PST by lodi90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

CA shows its insanity once again.


10 posted on 12/15/2017 8:14:40 PM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizen Means Born Here Of Citizen Parents - Know Islam, No Peace -No Islam, Know Peace)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Cool! Can I simply decline to make my “charitable contributions” to California and Santa Clara County? That’s far better than deducting those “contributions” on my 1040.


11 posted on 12/15/2017 8:39:19 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: brewcrew1965

Well you’ll be given a choice, you can voluntarily give the state a charitable contribution equal to what you would pay in income tax, or involuntarily pay the income tax.


12 posted on 12/15/2017 8:40:20 PM PST by aquila48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

If a man can simply declare he is a woman anytime he wants and if we can declare two homos are “married” then why shouldn’t we be allowed to declare taxes are “charitable contributions.” We can be “definitional fluid” any time we want. It is the zeitgeist, after all.

I suppose it all depends on what the meaning of “is” is.


13 posted on 12/15/2017 8:44:09 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CaliGangsta

You have it totally backwards!


14 posted on 12/15/2017 8:47:47 PM PST by TexasGator (Z)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: aquila48

SCOTUS would strike it down. Atleast I hope they would by a 5-4 vote.


15 posted on 12/15/2017 8:55:46 PM PST by brewcrew1965 (Liberalism is a mental disorder.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

I’ve got an idea, CA can lower their damn tax rates!

Another option is for the non-liberal residents to move.


16 posted on 12/15/2017 9:38:28 PM PST by Beagle8U (Wake up and smell the Covfef)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion

Why are conservatives cheering greater aid for corporations?
They are primarily responsible for destroying traditional values and enforcing PC culture.The big ones are led by Liberals.
F**- em’.


17 posted on 12/15/2017 10:06:42 PM PST by Finalapproach29er (luke 6:38)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Finalapproach29er
Why are conservatives cheering greater aid for corporations?

Truly one of the great mysteries of this abortion of a tax bill. Freepers have been cheering on tax increases for millions of middle class individuals, and a massive rate cut for Facebook and Google.

18 posted on 12/16/2017 4:14:41 AM PST by SkyPilot ("I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: KingofZion
The average deduction for property taxes is about $6,000, he has told the state congressional delegation, and the separate deduction for state and local income taxes comes to nearly $16,000 per return.

I wonder how many Republican congressmen from California will be returning in 2019. Or from New York. Or from New Jersey. Or from Illinois.

19 posted on 12/16/2017 4:18:08 AM PST by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Finalapproach29er

Ummm, maybe because most of us have jobs and wish for continued employment.


20 posted on 12/16/2017 5:02:24 AM PST by VeniVidiVici
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson