Save the Date for Jones Walker LLP’s Annual State & Local Tax Program

By Jones Walker LLP on Posted in Jones Walker Announcements, Presentations

It’s that time of year again! The Jones Walker State & Local Tax Team will be back virtually, for our annual State & Local Tax Program on Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8, 2020 for two half-days of content.

Our program will once again cover the most important Louisiana and Mississippi state and local tax issues currently facing taxpayers. While we are sad we are not able to see everyone in person this year, we hope you will join us virtually for great content, interactive presentations, and of course, special surprises!

Our morning sessions will be from 9:00 a.m. CDT to 12:15 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8.

This program is intended for industry tax professionals. More information coming soon!

When: Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8 | 9:00 a.m. CDT to 12:15 p.m. CDT
Where: Zoom Webinar
Questions? Courtney Farley | cfarley@joneswalker.com

Jones Walker SALT Team Presents Property Tax Webinar

By Jones Walker LLP on Posted in Jones Walker Announcements, Presentations

I Try, I Try, and I Try but I Can’t Get No… Obsolescence – A Property Tax Update

Due to anticipated power outages across the Gulf Coast, we are postponing our “I Try, I Try, and I Try but I Can’t Get No… Obsolescence – A Property Tax Update” webinar originally scheduled for this week. The webinar is rescheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2020. We hope you are able to join us on our new date. 

It’s that time of the year again! The 2020 rolls are closing, and it’s not too early to talk 2021. Now more than ever property taxes are a bigger part of the budget and there are more compliance difficulties and disputes. This reality presents a lot of procedural and substantive issues. Getting the right value is not a one-time thing; in fact, it’s a multi-year and multi-step process. The presenters will talk about strategies for today and tomorrow, including the procedures and issues related to property tax reporting, negotiating with the assessor, appeals, and the challenging of values, including the use of appraisers and other data to support your request for additional value reductions.

When: Tuesday, September 1, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. CDT

Presenters:

Webinar Registration Details: Registration is complimentary. Please contact cfarley@joneswalker.com to register for the webinar.

This program is intended for intermediate to advanced practitioners in state and local tax administration and those doing business in Louisiana and Mississippi. This course or a portion thereof has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association for a maximum of 1.2 hours credit. Continuing Legal Education for Mississippi is pending. The full day’s program has been recommended for 1 hour of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi CPE.

Chef’s Corner – Time to Grill!

By Joe Landry on Posted in Food

Teriyaki Steak and Chicken Shish Kabobs
(Pictured served with Summer Caprese Salad and Southern Style Potato Salad)
Serves 4 people

  • 1 pound ribeye or sirloin
  • 1 pound chicken – (boneless and skinless) thighs or breasts
  • 3 large bell peppers (different colors)
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup teriyaki sauce
  • salt & pepper
  • 8 skewer sticks

Starting with the marinade, mix olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and teriyaki sauce together in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For the meat, lightly tenderize chicken or steak. Then cut chicken or steak along with red onion and bell peppers all into 1.5 inch cubed pieces. Put cubed chicken or steak into marinade and refrigerate for one hour. Shake off excess marinade and build skewers by alternating between cubed chicken or steak, red onion, and bell pepper. Once a skewer is built, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat a lightly oiled grill to 400 degrees. For chicken, grill each side for 5 – 7 minutes or until cooked through. For steak, grill each side for 4 – 6 minutes depending on the desired temperature.

Enjoy!

Don’t Miss This Webinar! Get the Scoop on Louisiana’s Efforts at Tax Reform

By Jones Walker LLP on Posted in Jones Walker Announcements, Legislation, Presentations

With a heavily business-friendly state legislature, before the pandemic, significant pro-business tax reform was on the legislative agenda. Please join members of the Jones Walker SALT team and special guest Senator R.L. “Bret” Allain, II, Louisiana State Senate, as we discuss what did pass, what did not, and what the future may hold for further legislative efforts at pro-business tax reform.

When: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. CDT

Presenters:

  • Jay Adams, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Bill Backstrom, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Andre Burvant, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • The Honorable R. L. “Bret” Allain, II, Louisiana State Senate (District 21)

Webinar registration is complimentary.

Questions or to Register: Courtney Farley | cfarley@joneswalker.com

This program is intended for intermediate to advanced practitioners in state and local tax administration and those doing business in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and along the Gulf Coast. This course or a portion thereof has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association for a maximum of 1.1 hours credit.

JW SALT Team Presents Webinar: Legislative Update 2020 – Get the Scoop on Louisiana’s Efforts at Tax Reform

By Jones Walker LLP on Posted in Jones Walker Announcements, Presentations, Tax News

With a heavily business-friendly state legislature, before the pandemic, significant pro-business tax reform was on the legislative agenda. Please join members of the Jones Walker SALT team and special guest Senator R.L. “Bret” Allain, II, Louisiana State Senate, as we discuss what did pass, what did not, and what the future may hold for further legislative efforts at pro-business tax reform.

When: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. CDT

Presenters:

  • Jay Adams, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Bill Backstrom, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Andre Burvant, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • The Honorable R. L. “Bret” Allain, II, Louisiana State Senate (District 21)

Webinar registration is complimentary.

Questions or to Register: Courtney Farley | cfarley@joneswalker.com

This program is intended for intermediate to advanced practitioners in state and local tax administration and those doing business in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and along the Gulf Coast. This course or a portion thereof has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association for a maximum of 1.1 hours credit.

Attention Remote Sellers and Marketplace Facilitators: Louisiana Requirements Begin Wednesday, July 1, 2020

By Andre Burvant, Matt Mantle and Cami Fergus on Posted in Uncategorized

Beginning July 1, 2020, the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers (Commission) will be required to enforce collections of Louisiana state and local sales/use taxes by qualifying “remote sellers” and “marketplace facilitators.”

As a follow-up to our recent Jones Walker SALT webinar on this topic, the following is a list of action items and relevant dates/deadlines for various remote sellers and marketplace facilitators after the Commission’s July 1 enforcement implementation date:

  • On or before July 1, 2020, remote sellers and marketplace facilitators must review their Louisiana-sourced sales transactions and determine whether the relevant economic nexus thresholds have been met (either $100,000 in total gross sales into the state or 200 separate sales transactions into the state in the prior calendar year or within the current calendar year).
  • Those remote sellers and marketplace facilitators who are not already registered with the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) as a “Direct Marketer” and who have economic nexus as of July 1 must register with the Commission by July 31, 2020, and must begin collecting state and local sales/use taxes (at applicable local rates) by September 1, 2020. We expect the Commission to provide a list of the applicable local rates on its website for use by remote sellers and marketplace facilitators in the near future.
  • Remote sellers and marketplace facilitators who are already registered with the LDR as Direct Marketers and who meet the economic nexus thresholds will be automatically registered with the Commission (moving away from Direct Marketer return) and will also have until September 1, 2020, to begin collecting state and local sales/use taxes (at applicable local rates).
  • Remote sellers and marketplace facilitators (including those already registered as Direct Marketers) who did not reach the economic nexus thresholds last year and have not yet reached the thresholds in the current year as of July 1, 2020, will be required to register with the Commission within 30 days of the date in which they actually surpass one of the economic thresholds, and will have 60 days from surpassing that economic nexus threshold to begin collecting state and local sales/use taxes (at applicable local rates).
  • Additionally, any remote seller who has not reached either of the economic nexus thresholds and is not otherwise required to collect and remit sales/use taxes as a “dealer” in Louisiana will still have to comply with the state’s separate notice and information reporting requirements set forth in La. R.S. 47:309.1 if the remote seller has more than $50,000 in sales per calendar year.

For more information on the upcoming requirements, please see the Commission’s recently published FAQs.

There is Still Time to Register for our Webinar! Louisiana’s New Rulebook for Remote Sellers and Marketplace Facilitators

By Jones Walker LLP on Posted in Jones Walker Announcements, Presentations

Although there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the beginning of the 2020 football season, there is no doubt that the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers officially kicks off its sales tax collection requirements for remote sales and marketplace sales on July 1, 2020.

Please join members of the Jones Walker SALT team and special guest Luke Morris, Assistant Secretary-Office of Legal Affairs, Louisiana Department of Revenue, as we discuss all the X’s and O’s for remote sellers and marketplace facilitators. Central filing for remote sellers has been on the drawing board in Louisiana for years. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the complete play-by-play on the rules for eligibility, registration, collection and filing.

When: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. CDT

Presenters: 

  • Bill Backstrom, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Andre Burvant, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Matt Mantle, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Luke Morris, Assistant Secretary-Office of Legal Affairs, Louisiana Department of Revenue

Questions or to Register: Contact – Courtney Farley | cfarley@joneswalker.com

The Game Changes on July 1, 2020: Get Ready Now for Louisiana’s New Rulebook for Remote Sellers and Marketplace Facilitators

By Jones Walker LLP on Posted in Uncategorized

Although there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the beginning of the 2020 football season, there is no doubt that the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers officially kicks off its sales tax collection requirements for remote sales and marketplace sales on July 1, 2020.

Please join members of the Jones Walker SALT team and special guest Luke Morris, Assistant Secretary-Office of Legal Affairs, Louisiana Department of Revenue, as we discuss all the X’s and O’s for remote sellers and marketplace facilitators. Central filing for remote sellers has been on the drawing board in Louisiana for years. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the complete play-by-play on the rules for eligibility, registration, collection and filing.

When: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. CDT

Presenters: 

  • Bill Backstrom, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Andre Burvant, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Matt Mantle, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
  • Luke Morris, Assistant Secretary-Office of Legal Affairs, Louisiana Department of Revenue

Questions or to Register: Contact – Courtney Farley | cfarley@joneswalker.com

Louisiana Legislature Ratifies and Extends Governor’s Extension of Legal Deadlines

By Andre Burvant and Cami Fergus on Posted in Administrative Pronouncements, Judicial Decisions, Legislation

House Bill 805 of the 2020 Regular Session, currently awaiting signature by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, provides a hard deadline for all legal deadlines and prescription periods extended by proclamation throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency.

On March 13, 2020, Governor Edwards declared a public health emergency in Louisiana, followed by a series of proclamations. In Proclamation Number JBE 2020-30 issued on March 16, 2020, the governor extended all legal deadlines, including liberative prescription and peremptive periods applicable to legal proceedings in all courts, administrative agencies, and boards, through April 13, 2020. These extensions applied to many parts of the Louisiana Civil Code, Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure and Revised Statutes, including Title 47 of the Revised Statutes, Revenue and Taxation. Through additional proclamations, Governor Edwards extended all legal deadlines and prescriptive periods to June 15, 2020.

H.B. 805 broadly approves and ratifies the statewide COVID-19 public health emergency as declared by the governor. This ratification includes the suspension or extension of all prescriptions, including liberative, acquisitive, and the prescription of nonuse, abandonment periods, and all peremptive periods, as well as all deadlines in a legal proceeding. The bill not only ratifies the governor’s proclamations but also extends the suspension period from March 17, 2020, through July 5, 2020.

The suspension period provided for in H.B. 805 applies only if the period or action would have expired between March 17, 2020, and July 5, 2020, and then a hard deadline of July 6, 2020, applies to all periods or actions that expired within the suspension period. The right to file a pleading or motion or to enforce a right, claim or action that would have expired between March 17, 2020, and July 5, 2020, now expires on July 6, 2020.

Even if a deadline in a legal proceeding was not suspended by the governor’s proclamations, if a deadline in a legal proceeding lapsed between March 17, 2020, and July 5, 2020, H.B. 805 gives a party the right to seek an extension or suspension of that deadline by contradictory motion or declaratory judgment. The party seeking the extension bears the burden of proof to show that either the party or their attorney missed the deadline because they were adversely affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency. If granted, the legal deadline can only be extended to a hard deadline of September 1, 2020.

For tax purposes, the suspension period would include deadlines to appeal assessments and to appeal refund claim denials. H.B. 805 also emphasizes that these provisions apply to all administrative hearings and proceedings, which would include those proceedings at the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals.

Significantly, the Louisiana Department of Revenue does not interpret the governor’s proclamations to provide an extension of time for the filing of any tax returns. In Revenue Information Bulletin (RIB) No. 20-008, which was released on March 19, 2020, the department provided a short extension of time for filing the February 2020 sales and excise tax returns to May 20, 2020, and further explained that the suspension of prescription of all tax assessments and legal deadlines are separately governed by the governor’s proclamations. The department maintains that the proclamations do not apply to return filing deadlines. State filing and payment deadlines and any extensions thereof due to COVID-19 can be found here, and local return information can be found here.

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