February 2021

The Mississippi House of Representatives passed HB 1142 to extend the state’s 3.5% contractor’s tax to residential construction and to require builders to obtain a material purchase certificate (“MPC”) in order to pull a local building permit. Under current law, the contractor’s tax only applies to commercial construction, and the ordinary 7% sales tax applies

For several years Mississippi has attempted to pass legislation to authorize offers in compromise allowing taxpayers to pay less than the full amount of finally determined taxes due by them. The Mississippi Constitution prohibits any release or extinguishment of any obligation or liability to the state, except for the compromise of certain doubtful claims.

On

Years ago the Mississippi Legislature “borrowed” certain sales, use and payroll tax collections from a subsequent fiscal year to close a then-current year budget gap.  Because Mississippi has a June 30 fiscal year end, the legislation required certain taxpayers having a monthly tax liability of $50,000 or more to accelerate 75% of their June tax

Our Jones Walker SALT partner, Andre Burvant, was featured on the cover of Louisiana CPA’s Lagniappe magazine. The edition also included Andre’s article “COVID-19 Conundrum: Unexpected State Tax Consequences of a Remote Workforce.”

Andre explains the state and local tax issues that should be considered by employers contemplating extending or making permanent their employees’