Thursday, July 29, 2010

New York-Minimum Wholesale and Retail Cigarette Prices

As a result of price increases by manufacturers, the minimum wholesale and retail prices for certain brands of cigarettes in New York have changed. Minimum wholesale and retail cigarette prices must be determined by referencing manufacturers’ list prices. When a minimum price change occurs because of a manufacturer’s price increase or decrease, the enforcement date of the change is the second Monday after the price change is announced. If a price change is announced on a Monday, that day is considered to be the first Monday. The enforcement date is in effect whether or not a manufacturer notifies the Tax Department of the price change. After one manufacturer announces a price change, if other manufacturers also change their prices before the second Monday after the initial price change is announced, then those subsequent price changes will also be effective for enforcement purposes on the same second Monday. When a minimum price change occurs because of an excise tax rate change, the enforcement date of the change is the date the rate

Change takes effect. you must refer to the manufacturer’s price list. If you are unable to obtain the price list, please ask your supplier for assistance. You must charge your customers the minimum price or any price in excess of the minimum price. You may not offer merchandise for sale as a tie‑in with cigarettes if the total price of the items sold is less than the minimum price of cigarettes plus your cost for the other merchandise.

<>Furthermore, it is illegal for any cigarette agent, wholesale dealer, or retail dealer to induce, or attempt to induce, or to procure the purchase of cigarettes at a price less than the minimum price set by law. The Tax Department will issue this publication as notification for changes in the minimum prices each time a manufacturer’s price change occurs or a state or city excise tax changes. The prepaid sales tax is paid by the agent at the time the cigarette tax stamps are purchased. The prepaid sales tax is passed along in each subsequent sale down to and including the retail dealer (but is not passed down to the consumer). At the time of delivery, the seller must give the purchaser either Form ST‑133, Certificate of Prepayment of Sales Tax on Cigarettes, or have the required information included on the invoice. State and local sales taxes — State and local sales taxes must be collected from the consumer at the time of the retail sale. Sales tax must be collected upon the total retail sale price, including sales in New York City (effective September 1, 2003). For more information, see Important Notice N‑03‑22,Computation of Sales Tax on Cigarettes Sold within the City of New York. Computing the minimum wholesale cigarette pricesPublication 508, Minimum Price List for Cigarettes, lists the minimum prices for standard and nonstandard brands of cigarettes by the carton (20 cigarettes per pack, 10 packs per carton). The basic cost of cigarettes means the invoice cost of cigarettes to the agent who purchases from the manufacturer, or the replacement cost of cigarettes to the agent, in the quantity last purchased (whichever is lower), less all trade discounts (except discounts for cash), to which is added the full face value of any stamps (excise tax only) that are required by law. (The federal excise tax placed on the manufacturer would be included in the invoice cost of cigarettes from the manufacturer.) The basic cost of cigarettes does not include any sales tax prepaid by the agent at the time the cigarette tax stamps were purchased.

Carrying renewed retail cigarette and tobacco licenses and sales tax permit is mandatory to sell any tobacco items in the state of New York. Certificate of Authority and Retail cigarette license must be displayed at location prominently.


To Read More : New York-Minimum Wholesale and Retail Cigarette Prices

Source : Business Documents Filing in all 50 States

Tips To Follow Business Taxes and other required filing requirements!


If you are a sole proprietor or a partnership:
  • You may need to file sales and use taxes if are engaged selling taxable product(s) or service(s).
  • You may need to file Payroll Taxes if have employee(s).
  • You may need to file local, state and federal estimated taxes based on your income.
  • You are required to file business return(s) end of the year
  • You may need to renew your license(s)
  • You may need to renew your insurance(s)
  • You may need to renew your permit(s)
  • You may need to file excise tax
  • Time to time during the year should prepare cash flow statements to control your receivables, payables and cash in hand. It is a very important element for any business to analyze the current cash flow position and see the strength of the company to run a successful business.
If you are incorporated: for instance; Corporation, LLC, LP, Professional Corporation, Professional LLC Etc.
  • You may need to file sales and use taxes if are engaged selling taxable product(s) or service(s).
  • You may need to file Payroll Taxes if applicable. Officer(s) and member(s) of the company may be exempted depends on the structure of the company.
  • You may need to file local, state and federal estimated taxes based on your income.
  • You are required to file business returns end of the year
  • You are also required to file annual reports or other reports based on your state requirements to keep your company in good standing.
  • You also may request to your state to provide a certificate of good standing or certificate of existence to see if your company is following state guidelines to file taxes.
  • You may need to renew your license(s)
  • You may need to renew your insurance(s)
  • You may need to renew your permit(s)
  • You may need to file excise tax
  • You may need to distribute K-1 among your members or stockholders to file their personal income tax return(s)
  • Time to time during the year should prepare cash flow statements to control your receivables, payables and cash in hand. It is a very important element for any business to analyze the current cash flow position and see the strength of the company to run a successful business.


Check List To Start New Business and Tips to maintain successful business!

  1. Choose the right structure for your business for instance; Sole proprietorship, Partnership, C-Corporation, S-Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership, Non-profit Organization, Professional Corporation, Professional Limited Liability Company or other legal entities and retain a professional if needed to assist you to explain the difference among different business structures as mentioned above.http://bit.ly/cYfl5F
  2. Select the right name for your business to represent your product(s) or service(s) offering to your customershttp://bit.ly/a1Vl9Z
  3. Check the company name availability with the state or county before applying to avoid delay in company registration or possible rejection due to non availability of name with the state of county. http://bit.ly/a1Vl9Z
  4. Check with the state or county processing time to register your company. http://bit.ly/daJo8q
  5. Do you need sales tax permit to collect sales tax from your customers? http://bit.ly/aPVeef
  6. Do you need Employer Identification Number to hire employees or filing taxes? http://bit.ly/8ZTGLC
  7. Do you need workers’ compensation insurance to hire employees? http://bit.ly/aFgzJT
  8. Do you need disability insurance to hire employees? http://bit.ly/96JVi2
  9. Do you need any insurance to safe-guard your assets for instance, Error and Omission or General Liability?http://bit.ly/cYfl5F
  10. Do you need certificate of good standing or certificate of status of your legal entity to open bank account? http://bit.ly/9vfw0O
  11. Do you need any other licenses or registrations before conducting business and avoid delaying starting up a business? http://bit.ly/cYfl5F
  12. Do you need to file annual report, Biennial Statements, Statement of Information, initial report or franchise taxes to complete your business registration? http://bit.ly/b8Dw9m
  13. Do you need to run legal notices to maintain legal status and to complete company registration of your entity? http://bit.ly/cg5lsw
  14. Do you need an accountant to maintain your books and records and filing monthly quarterly and yearly taxes with appropriate departments? http://bit.ly/cfzvoI

Infotaxsquare Tips to maintain successful business

A new business can be a hassle to set up. Your business success depends on your focused attention. The following is a list for maintaining successful business:

  1. Avoid mixing personal finances with your business finances.
  2. Tax planning early in your company’s setup can save you hundreds of dollars later on.
  3. Controlling your collection process will strengthen your cash flow which is critical to a new business.
  4. Take advantage of new tax law changes as they happen.
  5. Timely filing of payroll and sales tax reports to save your money
  6. Timely file annual reports to maintain your company in good standing.
  7. Select right accountant to give you timely advice and planning.

All the best!



To Read More : Check List To Start New Business and Tips to maintain successful business!

Source : Business Documents Filing in 50 States

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

NYS-Tax Law provides an exemption from the tax imposed on sales of tangible personal property for food sold for human consumption!

NYS-Tax Law provides an exemption from the tax imposed on sales of tangible personal property for food sold for human consumption. The sales and use tax regulations provide that the phrase sold for human consumption means that the items sold are, in their normal use, regarded as being for human consumption.” Pie pumpkins (i.e., sugar, deep red, golden cushaw, etc.) and similar gourds generally used by a purchaser in cooking pies, cakes, breads, cookies, etc. constitute food sold for human consumption and are not subject to sales tax.

Decorative and carving pumpkins (e.g., Connecticut field, etc.), like other decorative gourds, are not being marketed or sold, in their normal or intended use, for human consumption. Thus, decorative and carving pumpkins and other decorative gourds whether sold at supermarkets, farm stands, nurseries, or other businesses, are not sold as food, and constitute tangible personal property subject to sales tax.

To Read More: NYS-Tax Law provides an exemption from the tax imposed on sales of tangible personal property for food sold for human consumption!

Source: Business Documents Filing In All 50 States

NYS-Salaries Paid to officers and employees of the state and its subdivisions and agencies shall be subject to taxation!

The New York State Constitution provides that “all salaries, wages and other compensation except pensions, paid to officers and employees of the state and its subdivisions and agencies shall be subject to taxation.”

Pensions paid to officers and employees of this state, its subdivisions and agencies, to the extent includible in gross income for federal income tax purposes, are exempt from personal income tax.

To Read More: NYS-Salaries Paid to officers and employees of the state and its subdivisions and agencies shall be subject to taxation!

Source: Business Document Filing in All 50 States.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

10 Facts About Capital Gains and Losses!

Have you heard of capital gains and losses? If not, you may want to read up on them because they might have an impact on your tax return.


1. Almost everything you own and use for personal purposes, pleasure or investment is a capital asset.

2. When you sell a capital asset, the difference between the amount you sell it for and your basis – which is usually what you paid for it – is a capital gain or a capital loss.

3. You must report all capital gains.

4. You may deduct capital losses only on investment property, not on property held for personal use.

5. Capital gains and losses are classified as long-term or short-term, depending on how long you hold the property before you sell it. If you hold it more than one year, your capital gain or loss is long-term. If you hold it one year or less, your capital gain or loss is short-term.

6. If you have long-term gains in excess of your long-term losses, you have a net capital gain to the extent your net long-term capital gain is more than your net short-term capital loss, if any.

7. The tax rates that apply to net capital gain are generally lower than the tax rates that apply to other income. For 2009, the maximum capital gains rate for most people is15%. For lower-income individuals, the rate may be 0% on some or all of the net capital gain. Special types of net capital gain can be taxed at 25% or 28%.

8. If your capital losses exceed your capital gains, the excess can be deducted on your tax return and used to reduce other income, such as wages, up to an annual limit of $3,000, or $1,500 if you are married filing separately.

9. If your total net capital loss is more than the yearly limit on capital loss deductions, you can carry over the unused part to the next year and treat it as if you incurred it in that next year.

10. Capital gains and losses are reported on Schedule D.


To Read More : 10 Facts About Capital Gains and Losses!

Source : Business Documents Filing in 50 States

Tax tips military members should keep in mind this summer to help with filing a tax return next year!

Summer is a busy time for everyone, but particularly for military members and their families. Whether it’s moving to a new base or traveling to a duty station, members of the military have many obligations that could impact their tax situation. Here are 10 IRS tax tips military members should keep in mind this summer to help with filing a tax return next year.

  • Moving Expenses:

If you are a member of the Armed Forces on active duty and you move because of a permanent change of station, you can deduct the reasonable unreimbursed expenses of moving you and members of your household.

  • Combat Pay:

If you serve in a combat zone as an enlisted person or as a warrant officer for any part of a month, all your military pay received for military service that month is not taxable. For officers, the monthly exclusion is capped at the highest enlisted pay, plus any hostile fire or imminent danger pay received.

  • Extension of Deadlines:

The time for taking care of certain tax matters can be postponed. The deadline for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing claims for refund, and taking other actions with the IRS is automatically extended for qualifying members of the military.

  • Uniform Cost and Upkeep:

If military regulations prohibit you from wearing certain uniforms when off duty, you can deduct the cost and upkeep of those uniforms, but you must reduce your expenses by any allowance or reimbursement you receive.

  • Joint Returns:

Generally, joint returns must be signed by both spouses. However, when one spouse may not be available due to military duty, a power of attorney may be used to file a joint return.

  • Travel to Reserve Duty:

If you are a member of the US Armed Forces Reserves, you can deduct unreimbursed travel expenses for traveling more than 100 miles away from home to perform your reserve duties.

  • ROTC:

Students Subsistence allowances paid to ROTC students participating in advanced training are not taxable. However, active duty pay – such as pay received during summer advanced camp – is taxable.

  • Transitioning Back to Civilian Life:

You may be able to deduct some costs you incur while looking for a new job. Expenses may include travel, resume preparation fees, and outplacement agency fees. Moving expenses may be deductible if your move is closely related to the start of work at a new job location, and you meet certain tests.


To Read More : Tax tips military members should keep in mind this summer to help with filing a tax return next year!

Source : Business Documents Filing in 50 States