Results tagged “tax”

On-location shoots for advertisements may be on the rise, but filming in Los Angeles has been on the downtrend for some years now, thanks to incentives that lured shoots to Alabama, New York City, Canada and elsewhere. That might be good for complaining neighbors, but it's not for the larger picture that is Los Angeles' economy.

A state report on restructure California's tax system is due today and the Associated Press, which obtained an early copy, has found that bold changes are recommended, prompting a large amount of skepticism. The AP explains some:

These weasels are so damn cute, but once again their population is dwindling. In the late 19th Century and into the early 20th, the population estimated to be over 100,000 decreased to extreme lows of around 1,000 to 2,000 thanks to the fur trade (in California, the population was specifically around 16,000 which was decimated to around 50). Today they are protected by law and a Monterey Aquarium favorite.

If marijuana were to be legalized for recreational use, it would raise nearly $1.4 billion for the California, announced a state tax board yesterday. The numbers were from an analysis of a bill, AB390, introduced earlier this year by San Francisco Assemblymember Tom Ammiano.

It's about time, no? After weeks of rejecting bogus medical marijuana dispensaries, three LA City Councilmembers brought forth a motion to explore a tax on legal medical marijuana sales in the city. “In this current economic crisis, we need to get creative about how we raise funds. A tax on medical marijuana could enable the city to continue providing services we might otherwise have to cut,” said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. Retired LAPD officer and West Valley Councilman Dennis Zine said "Part of becoming a legitimate business in the City of Los Angeles means supporting local government by paying a fair share of municipal taxes.” Councilman Bill Rosendahl also brought forth the measure. A motion for a resolution in support of H.R. 2835, the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, which allows for state law to prevail with regard to medical marijuana use, was also introduced.

Today, the Legislature is expected to vote to close the State's $24 billion budget deficit with measures that include taking $57 million in gas tax money from the City of Los Angeles. If that were to happen, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says the city could lose 800 street maintenance positions through those revenues. Yes, street maintenance, one of the most complained about aspects of Los Angeles.

A $1.50 tax increase to packs of cigarettes sold in California was approved today by the state's Senate Health Committee. Yesterday, a legislative budget committee approved the increase, among various other deficit related moves, all supported by Democrats, which Schwarzenegger promises to veto. It's estimate that it would provide $1.2 billion in new revenues. "A statewide poll by David Binder Research in the wake of the May 19th Special Election demonstrates that a strong majority of voters, 74%, support increasing taxes on tobacco," said a release from the bills sponsor, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). "Sixty-two percent of those who voted no on the Prop 1A budget measure support." 1998 was the last time packs of cigarettes were increased--back upping it by fifty-cents to the current $0.87 tax. 31 other states have a higher tobacco tax.

An annual $15 vehicle fee proposed by a state budget committee yesterday could save 80% of state parks currently threatened to be closed amidst the budget crisis. The Ventura County Star explains: Under the plan, all motorists would pay a $15 surcharge on the license fees they pay each year to register their vehicles. The surcharge would yield about $220 million — enough to keep parks open, allow anyone with a California license to enter and park for free at state parks and leave enough left over to make some debt payments on outstanding park bonds.

Freelancers, actors, waiters, web designers and all sorts of people who receive 1099s often find themselves puzzled at why they get letters from the city telling them that they owe money. That's because if you're doing business within the city of Los Angeles, you officially need to declare your earnings. In many cases, people don't earn enough for you to owe, but if you don't register in a timely fashion, you will owe plus interest and penalty, per city law. However, in a push to fill the city deficit, Mayor Villaraigosa is using a Tax Penalty Amnesty Program that ends July 31st to encourage businesses and people to pay their taxes without penalty (interest not included). To take advantage of the amnesty program call the L.A. Tax Amnesty Hotline at (213) 978-1555 weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 5 P.M. or go to www.lacity.org/finance/amnesty/ for more information and office locations.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest budget proposal suggest eliminating welfare. If that would happen, California would be the only state without such a program. "You would think they would legalize weed before this," quipped Shane Hirschman, a multimedia designer, on Twitter.

                     

Was it Spring Break or was this some kind of educational experience? Yesterday, thousands of people prodded by FOX News and other media outlets fanned out across the country to protest taxes, the stimulus and the bailout. A few hundred with their kids in tow made it to Glendale City Hall.

As President Barack Obama announced plans to overhaul the tax code in order to make it a simpler process to deal with, protests spread across the country today with anti-tax tea parties of sorts. A few hundred reportedly protested in Glendale this afternoon and more events are planned for the Santa Monica Pier and the Van Nuys Civic Center. Down in Orange County, around 1,000 people are protesting outside a courthouse in Santa Ana.

A list of 250 of the state's top tax delinquents includes three notable names. Burt Reynolds owes $225,000, but Warwick and Sinbad earn much higher spots on the list with amounts totally $2.18 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Ouch! The LA Times made a database, go see if your rich friends made the grade!

"We are facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit and before we have to cut any additional city services, I want to ensure we crack down on the most egregious tax cheats," said Councilwoman and City Controller candidate Wendy Greuel today of the city's new webpage calling out 16 businesses who owe the city more than $100,000 in taxes. Volvo owes over $112,000 and Fidelity, $165,000. But that's not the worst. A handful owe over a million dollars including United Valet Parking and company called Crystal Enterprises owes over $3 million. Before publishing the list (.pdf), the city sent out letters notifying the tax cheating business that they would be published. Five of them--at a total of $2.1 million-avoided publication by entering into settlement discussions with the City Attorney's office and one is under review.

"With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense. This legislation would generate much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes", said San Francisco Assemblymember Tom Ammiano in a press conference today, which SFist described as a "media circus."

When the state isn't going to pay your county, what happens when the county says they aren't going to pay the state?

'Tis the season for Top Ten lists, but this one--the 14th annual Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey released by the Rose Institute of State & Local Government at Claremont McKenna College--gives our fair city more of dubious honor. Once again, Los Angeles ranks among the "10 most expensive places in the country to do business," reports the Daily News.

Although it was predicted to win the day after the election, Measure R, the half-cent tax increase that is expected to raise $30 to $40 billion over the next 30 years for transit projects, finally passed today with 100% of the votes tallied.

"I'm very reticent right now to raise any property taxes at this time," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said a press conference yesterday morning when asked about Councilmember Richard Alarcon's "luxury" tax that would tax households at least $1,000 larger than 5,000 square feet.

A proposal to tax home owners of properties larger than 5,000 square feet at least $1,000 annually will be discussed at a Los Angeles city council committee meeting today. If it makes it through the city process, two-thirds of voters would have to pass the tax (low and middle class vs. the rich?). "There are 6,336 single-family residences that exceed 5,000 square feet and 534 houses larger than 10,000 square feet. Taxing those residences would generate $15 million a year," reports the Daily News.

Don't let your money go to waste, especially when not acting on it means the government gets to keep it. The Daily News has launched a nifty database of residents in LA County who are owed money by the IRS. Just plug in your name and city and voila, and you could be surprised.

Major one-up for Measure R, the proposed half-cent sales tax increase that would go towards transportation projects. The LA Times says it's bad timing with the current economy, but now is the time, despite what the naysayers claim. "The official opposition to Measure R comes mainly from politicians from far-flung parts of the county who claim that they wouldn't get their fair share of the tax money; they tend to favor a regional distribution scheme in which funds would be split evenly. That's not just parochial, it's naive. A well-designed transportation network relieves bottlenecks in places where demand is greatest, and such high-density corridors aren't evenly distributed on the map."

For those who have been following Assembly Bill 2321, you can take a breath of relief. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law yesterday afternoon, allowing Metro to place a half-cent sales tax increase proposal on this November's ballot. It will take a 2/3rds vote to pass and if it does, it could raise $30-40 billion in funding for transportation projects over the next 30 years. On the ballot, it is known as Measure R and a website from the proponents will be launched soon. Metro, who obviously wants initiative to pass, has already launched a website to, uh, inform the public about the measure, but nothing, uh, more.

Everyday that goes by means it's getting closer to election day and for the first time, a Proposition A e-mail came into our e-mail inbox. Prop A is a City of Los Angeles measure that if voted on by two-thirds of the people, the city will add a $36/year special tax on each real property parcel for programs that address gang violence (to read through the language, Smart Voter has it). Tomorrow afternoon, LAPD Chief William Bratton, Sheriff Lee Baca and LAFD Chief Douglas Barry are all scheduled to publicly endorse the measure at City Hall.

Political consultant Ace Smith, who has worked for Mayor Villaraigosa and ran Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign in several states including California, has been hired to run the campaign for Measure R, which will raise LA County's sales tax by a half-penny to pay for transportation projects if passed by voters in November.

If you've been following state Assembly Bill 2321, which simply allows Metro to place a half-cent sales tax increase proposal on this November's ballot, it's been a long, long summer.

With one more step to go until the half-cent sales tax increase proposal goes on the November ballot, Metro has launched an extensive website to inform the public what a "yes" vote would mean: "Measure R is a half-cent sales tax increase that will provide the local resources to finance new transportation projects and accelerate those already in the pipeline. Over 30 years, it is expected to generate $40 billion for countywide congestion relief projects – and attract additional state and federal matching funds that will otherwise go to another county. The average cost is $25 a year per person." (thanks, Curbed LA!)

Even though it is Labor Day weekend and the state has entered into a historic period without a budget, good news came Sunday for public transportation advocates and well-wishers. AB2321, the bill that would allow Metro to put a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot that could raise $30-40 billion for transportation projects over the next 30 years, took another critical step: the state Assembly passed it. That means two more steps until Los Angeles has higher taxes, but better public transportation: governor Schwarzenegger must sign the bill (he promised not to sign any until the budget mess was over, but he is wishy washy) and the people of LA County must vote for it.