Sacramento — The statewide median income for all personal income tax returns rose slightly to $35,923 (0.78 percent over 2007), while the median income listed on joint returns grew to $68,981 (0.27 percent over 2007) according to statistics released today by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).

The four Bay Area counties of Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties have led California for 37 years in reported highest median incomes.

“Median income” is the point where one-half of the tax returns are above and one-half are below the midpoint of the range of values. Median income represents the amount reported by a typical California individual or couple.

California taxpayers filed 15.53 million 2008 state income tax returns reporting $1.113 trillion, a 7.2 percent decrease over 2007 figures. Adjusted gross income is a figure taken from tax returns that reports total income after specific tax deductions are subtracted.

Marin County had the highest median income for joint returns at $118,704, a decrease of 3.85 percent over 2007.San Mateo County ranked second with $100,165,Santa Clara County ranked third with $100,077, Contra Costa County ranked fourth with $90,956, and Alameda County ranked fifth with $88,138.

Los Angeles County taxpayers filed 25.5 percent of all 2008 income tax returns in California. They reported median incomes of $31,679 for all returns, and $59,950 for joint returns, ranking 36th and 28th, respectively for all counties. The largest percentage gain in median income for all counties was 5.36 percent, reported in Colusa County. The largest increase in joint filings was also in Colusa County with a 4.55 percent increase.

This past week the city of Fresno voted to keep their enterprise zone program in place.  If you operate a business in Fresno, please feel free to contact us for a free tax credit consultation.

Click here to view the Fresno EZ Program resolution.

Assembly Bills

• AB 1836 (Furutani) PIT Rates/Increase Maximum Rates To 10 Percent & 11 Percent & AMT To 8.5 Percent Beginning On Or After January 1, 2011, & Before January 1, 2016 – Amended 04/05/10
• AB 1990 (Anderson) Unemployed Worker’s Child Care Costs Contributions Credit – Amended 04/05/10
• AB 2041 (Villines/Smyth) Health Savings Account Deduction Conformity – Introduced 02/17/10 & Amended 03/10/10
• AB 2177 (Beall) Allow Electronic Communication To Taxpayers To Inform Of Tax Change Or Obligation – Amended 04/14/10
• AB 2492 (Ammiano) Property Taxes/Change In Ownership – Amended 04/08/10
• AB 2591 (Feuer/Perez) State Budget/Nonrecurring Revenue/FTB & BOE identify Each Source Of General Fund Proceeds Of Taxes Higher Than Tax Proceeds Received In Preceding Fiscal Year & Report To Legislature, Governor, Controller & Public By May 15 Each Year – Amended 03/17/10
• AB 2630 (Emmerson, Cook, et al.) Employer Hiring Credit – Introduced 02/19/10
• AB 2640 (Arambula) Section 1245 Property Credit For Manufacturer’s Investment In Qualified Property/Eliminate Income Exclusion Of Free Or Subsidized Parking For Participating In A California Ridesharing Arrangement – Amended 04/08/10
• AB 2641 (Arambula/Solorio) Tax Expenditures/Legislative Review Of Each Tax Expenditure/Add 5 Year Sunset – Amended 04/27/10
• AB 2656 (De Leon) Postsecondary Education/Contracts For Academic Research – Amended 04/08/10
• AB 2665 (Strickland) Service Station Emergency Standby Generator Credit – Amended 04/26/10

Senate Bills

• SB 913 (Calderon) Principal Residence Credit – Introduced 01/28/10
• SB 952 (Wyland) Repeal PIT Temporary Rate Increases/Repeal Decreased Personal Exemption Credit for Dependents/Withholding Tables/Eliminate 10 Percent Increase – Introduced 02/04/10
• SB 952 (Wyland) Repeal PIT Temporary Rate Increases/Repeal Decreased Personal Exemption Credit for Dependents – Amended 04/05/10
• SB 1073 (Ashburn) Research Expense Credit/20 Percent Of Qualified Green Technology & Renewable Energy Research And Development Costs – Introduced 02/17/10
• SB 1185 (Maldonado) Adopted Animal Food And Supply Costs Deduction – Introduced 02/18/10
• SB 1216 (Cedillo) Low-Income Housing Credit/Allocation Of Surplus Credits By The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee – Amended 04/05/10
• SB 1244 (Walters) Limited Liability Company Employment Taxes – Amended 04/21/10
• SB 1272 (Wolk) Tax Expenditures/Add 7 Year Sunset – Amended 04/21/10
• SB 1391 (Yee) Employer Tax Credit/Reporting Information/New Credits Chaptered After January 1, 2011, Would Be Recaptured If Taxpayer Has Net Decrease In Full-Time Employees – Amended 04/06/10
• SB 1430 (Walters) Renter Credit & Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption/Increase Credit & Exemption Amounts For Taxpayers 62 Or Older – Introduced 02/19/10 & Amended 03/24/10

Senate Special Session Bills

• SBX6_14 (Calderon/Correa) Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Extension – Introduced 03/11/10
• SBX8_58 (Dutton/Runner) Research Expense Credit/20 Percent Of Excess Qualified Expenses/Conformity To Election Of Alternative Incremental Credit – Introduced 02/12/10

The City of Colton, incorporated in 1887, is an “American Classic” with a very colorful past and proud history. Strategically located in the heart of Southern California, Colton is at the crossroads of the Inland Empire. It boasts affordable housing, low business taxes, a wide range of community programs for all ages and a very responsive city government. Colton is a full service City with its own Police and Fire Protection, Water and Wastewater Facilities, as well as its own Electric Utility—the second oldest in the State.

If you have a business in Colton, please contact us to see if you qualify for several key California Enterprise Zone credits.

Strategically located in the heart of the fastest-growing region in the United States, California’s Inland Empire, the City of Colton encompasses approximately 18 square miles of fertile valley nestled against the scenic San Gorgonio Mountains. A comprehensive transportation network, a skilled, ready-to-work labor pool and a viable partnership between business and City Government contribute vitality to established commerce. Available sites and a “can-do” attitude toward economic development make Colton attractive for successful relocation and new enterprise. As we move forward, we continue to build on a solid foundation rich in history and long-standing community values. We’re a city moving ahead – with Confidence.

Colton has a well balanced and diversified economy and is home to a variety of manufacturing, service, retail and distribution companies including Con-Agra Milling; McNeilus Truck; Williams Furnace; Telco Food Products; Al’s Garden Art; U.S. Express; Jon-Lin, Inc.; Ashley Furniture; the new state of the art medical facility, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center; along with the largest group of RV Dealers west of the Mississippi River.

If you operate a business in the city of Indio, CA, you most likely have access to a wide variety of tax credits to California’s State Enterprise Zone legislation.  See below for a full list of tax credits, and contact us directly for assistance on how to take advantage of this program.

EMPLOYER HIRING CREDIT
Business may reduce State of California Income Tax for a portion of the wages paid to qualified employees. The savings cover a five year period and can add up to $27,000 per employee. If the employee lives in the Targeted Employment Area (TEA) qualification is automatic and requires only a single form.

NOT OPERATING LOSS CARRYOVER
Losses incurred by Enterprise Zone Business may be carried over to years in which taxable income is earned.

SALES AND USE TAX CREDIT
A sales tax credit for new machinery and parts purchased by a Zone business is available.

NET INTEREST DEDUCTION FOR LENDERS
Net interest earned on loans to businesses located in the Enterprise Zone is eligible for the credits on the California Tax Return.

BUSINESS EXPENSE DEDUCTION
Certain property purchased for use in the Enterprise Zone may be deducted as a business expense in the first year it is placed in service.

BIDDER’S PREFERENCE
Enterprise Zone Business can receive a Bidder’s Preference of 5% when bidding on State of California contracts.

MANUFACTURER’S INVESTMENT CREDIT
To encourage investment in manufacturing equipment, the State of California offers a tax credit to taxpayers operating in the following SIC codes: 2000-3999.

CHILD CARE AND RIDESHARE TAX CREDITS
The State of California allows tax credits for employers who participate in child care rideshare programs.

Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, representative from Imperial County, weighed in on KXO Radio discussing the future of the Enterprise Zone program:

“We cannot overlook the state’s Enterprise Zone program. I spent a lot of time last year facilitating a hearing process to examine many aspects of this program, and I appreciate the efforts of stakeholders to participate in the dialogue. Last month, I introduced AB 2476 to serve as a vehicle for statutory reforms to the program. As the bill currently reads, it makes changes to the eligibility criteria for Targeted Employment Areas. I see this measure as a starting point and look forward to ongoing and productive discussions as we refine the bill language and make an important program even better.”

Riverside County is a strategic location for business because of the many incentive zones throughout the county, the diverse and accessible transportation network and the high quality of life.

Coachella Valley  Enterprise Zone
The state-designated zone is a 56 square mile, 36,000+ acre area covering the cities of Indio and Coachella, along with the unincorporated communities of Thousand Palms, Thermal and Mecca. Numerous state tax incentives are available to businesses located within the zone

Recycling Market Development Zones
The Recycling Market Development Zones strive to attract businesses using recycled materials in their manufacturing process. The state has established a low-interest rate revolving loan fund which may be used for land acquisition, leasehold improvements, equipment purchases, and working capital for up to 75 percent of the project cost to a maximum of $2 million.

Redevelopment Project Areas
Riverside County has six redevelopment project areas including 37 sub-areas that encompass 61,016 acres throughout the county. The Redevelopment Agency utilizes tax increment and bond proceeds to finance public improvements, business assistance and housing in accordance with California Redevelopment Law. Businesses located within the project areas may qualify for construction of public improvements, tax rebates and fee assistance. In addition, the Agency provides assistance to improve, preserve and increase the supply of housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income persons in all unincorporated areas of the county.

The redevelopment project areas offer a variety of opportunities for industrial, commercial, aviation and residential development, as follows:

• 1-1986
• I-215 Corridor
• Desert Communities
• Jurupa Valley Project Area
• Mid-County Project Area

March Air Reserve Joint Powers Authority
The joint use of March Air Reserve Base is opening up new opportunities for business development. The March Joint Powers Authority, comprised of representatives from the local jurisdictions of the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris and the County of Riverside, is planning reuse and joint use at March Air Reserve Base in western Riverside County. The March Joint Powers Authority is finalizing its redevelopment plans which will include new business development.

Sacramento – The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today received five certifications from the US Green Building Council for energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly buildings. The FTB campus is comprised of five buildings consisting of nearly 2 million square feet and houses more than 5,000 state employees. Awards came for each of the five buildings, which met the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards developed by the US Green Building Council.

Four of buildings attained the “Gold” status and one attained “Silver.” The green building standards annually saves the State $35,000 in operating costs. LEED standards for energy and resource efficiency include:

· Highly energy-efficient lighting fixtures, mechanical equipment, insulation, screens and sunshades, and double-pane window glazing reduce heating and cooling needs. Automatic lighting control system that adjusts interior light based on the amount of natural daylight. “Cool” white roofing that reflects heat from the sun to keep down inside temperatures and cooling costs.
· Low-flow plumbing and automatic flow sinks in restrooms. Exterior irrigation fixtures and drought tolerant landscaping.
· “Bio-swales” in parking lots that slow the rate of storm water runoff to sewer systems and reduce erosion. Bio-swales use vegetation to filter pollutants before runoff reaches streams and rivers.
· Tree-shaded parking lots.
· Resource-efficient construction practices that divert waste from landfills.
· Proximity to public transit.
· FTB previously won three silver LEED awards for new construction for the FTB campus expansion project completed in 2005. The new buildings were designed to exceed California energy efficiency standards by more than 20 percent.

Access California’s Green Building Directory at http://www.greenbuildings.dgs.ca.gov

Merced County voted to expand the Merced County Regional Enterprise Zone. An additional 1,877 acres of county land were added to the enterprise zone, which has kept 3,130 jobs in Merced County and created 692 new jobs, according to Mark Hendrickson, the county’s director of economic development. The enterprise zone designation comes from the state Department of Housing and Community Development and provides tax incentives for businesses in the zone.

FTB Conforms to IRC Section 409A

On January 19, 2010, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2010-6. It allows taxpayers to correct certain operational failures of nonqualified deferred compensation plans in order to comply with IRC Section 409A. / more+

FTB at a Glance Revised and Online

Need a quick overview of our programs, resources, and processing statistics? / more+

Tax Delinquency Letters Mailed

We mailed the Notice of Public Disclosure of Tax Delinquency letters on February 19, 2010. / more+

Fraudulent W-2s

Every year, tax professionals are faced with what to do when presented with documents they think may not be legitimate, of particular concern, fraudulent W-2s. / more+

California Winter Storm Victims Get State Tax Relief

On March 1, 2010, the President declared several counties a major disaster. / more+

California Combined Reports Missing Information

It has come to our attention that numerous combined reports are being filed with missing or incomplete information. / more+

Haiti Donations Are Immediately Tax-Deductible

We announced that a new state law allows taxpayers to immediately deduct their donations made to provide relief for the January 12 Haitian earthquake victims. / more+

Unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credit

Do your clients know someone who qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?  / more+

Paying Electronically Saves Time

We all know that going paperless saves time, hassle, and trees. Paying electronically means your client doesn’t have to spend time writing and mailing a check. It also ensures that their payment is quickly applied to their account. We encourage them to use one of the many options we offer for electronic payments. But which is right for them? / more+

IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Registration Available!

Join tax professionals from across the country for three days of the latest tax law information, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and exhibits of the latest tax products and financial services to improve your business. / more+

Information for Charities and Nonprofits, Exempt Organizations

We recently updated our Charities and Nonprofits (Exempt Organizations) webpage. / more+

Statute of Limitations on Collection Actions

For many years, no statute of limitations existed on the collection of an income or franchise tax delinquency. Beginning in 2006, a statute of limitations on our collection actions went into effect. / more+

Small Business

Dissolving an Entity

Does your client plan to dissolve, surrender, or cancel business operations in California? / more+

Ask the Advocate

Provisional Assessments

We have received questions regarding our practice of issuing provisional assessments. This article is a brief explanation of the process and the authority to make such adjustments. / more+

Inside FTB

Take a look at the changes happening here at FTB. / more+

Criminal Corner

Our monthly summary on bringing tax criminals to justice, and closing the tax gap one case at a time. / more+

Systemic Issue Update

Sharing our efforts, progress, and changes we have made from your comments and suggestions submitted through the Systemic Issue Management System. / more+

Big Business

S Corporations – New Withholding Rule for the 2009 Form 100S

Beginning tax year 2009, S corporations may claim withhold at source on their S corporation return, but not in excess of their tax liability. / more+