Transportation Financing and Defeating the “Tech Tax”: The legislature enacted
in October of 2103 a $500 million transportation financing package that included
several tax changes such as:
• provisions to implement market-based sourcing apportionment rules (see more
under regulatory news);
• the so-called “tech tax” to extend the state sales tax to computer services. The
Society alerted legislators to the negative consequences of the tech tax and worked
successfully with a broad coalition of business groups to repeal the provision; and
Legislator Spotlight:
Senator Benjamin Downing
(D-Pittsfield):
Senator Downing joined MSCPA
members for Politics at the Pub, held
on June 4 at Scholars Boston Bistro
(see photos on page 4). Senator
Downing discussed the latest
developments on Beacon Hill and the
2014 statewide elections. He also
discussed the important role
advocacy groups, like the MSCPA,
has in the legislative process and
encouraged members to take an
active role in the Society’s advocacy
efforts.
Senator Downing is in his seventh
year on Beacon Hill, representing the
52 communities that make up the
Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and
Hampden Districts. He currently
serves as Senate Chair of the Joint
Committee on Telecommunications,
Utilities and Energy and Chair of the
Senate Committee on Bill in the Third
Reading, making him a leader on key
policy decisions. He is also an active
member of the powerful Joint
Committee on Ways and Means and
is the former Senate Chairman of the
Joint Committee on Revenue.
Learn More
STAY
TUNED
• the creation of the Tax Fairness Commission. Although the group did not vote to
approve the measure, extending the sales tax to services was discussed and included
in the final report.
More Info
Gov. Patrick and State Legislators Clash on FY14 Budget: Governor Patrick’s
proposal for an expansive $1.9 billion tax package was dismissed by the legislature in
favor of a smaller revenue bill (outlined above) aimed at improving the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure. The FY14 budget did, however, include
measures to:
• bring Massachusetts into further compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
by expanding coverage to adults;
• eliminate the $295 per employee “fair share” assessment that Massachusetts
employers had been paying under state health reform since 2006 and the
requirement to submit Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) forms;
and
• delay the FAS 109 deduction, the tax break offered to offset the burden of
combined reporting.
More Info
Take charge of your career! Stay connected and involved with the MSCPA.
Participating in MSCPA committees and programs is a great way to network,
give back and learn with other CPAs in Massachusetts.
More Info
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