Tax Law and International Tax Law

The U.S. Department of Treasury has issued guidance on employer-sponsored Trump Account contribution programs, creating new tax-advantaged opportunities for employers to support employee savings for their children's future. Employers must navigate complex requirements analogous to dependent care assistance programs, including nondiscrimination rules, written plan documents, and compliance obligations under both the Internal Revenue Code and potentially ERISA. What are the key design considerations, tax impl

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has released draft regulatory language it is considering proposing, offering its first comprehensive view of how it may administer Senate Bill 122, California's expansion of sales and use tax to software as a service (SaaS) and certain digital products beginning January 1, 2027. CDTFA has not yet formally proposed these regulations through the emergency rulemaking process.

Companies that invest in innovation can leverage the federal research and development tax credit under Section 41 of the Internal Revenue Code to offset costs. However, the qualification rules and substantiation requirements are complex, and errors can trigger IRS disputes that transform this valuable benefit into a costly examination.

Recent US court rulings have confirmed that foreign tax credits cannot offset the Net Investment Income Tax for American citizens living abroad, creating an additional layer of taxation even when income is already taxed in their country of residence. These decisions raise critical questions about the long-term viability of maintaining US citizenship for entrepreneurs and business owners who have permanently established their lives outside the United States.

The US Court of Federal Claims recently addressed a critical question for Canadian exempt organizations earning US-source income: can they rely on fiscal transparency rules to claim treaty benefits through investment vehicles? The court's ruling in The South Saskatchewan Community Foundation Inc. v. United States examines when charitable organizations may look through intermediary entities to access tax exemptions under the US-Canada tax treaty, with significant implications for cross-border investment

The Treasury Department has issued proposed regulations fundamentally changing how U.S. shareholders calculate their pro rata share of controlled foreign corporation income when ownership interests vary throughout the year. These regulations implement amendments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introducing daily proration methodologies, mandatory year-end closings for status changes, and new elective provisions for significant ownership variances.

A Connecticut Supreme Court decision demonstrates how a $13 million estate tax dispute reinforces a critical planning lesson: formal declarations of domicile carry limited weight when contradicted by an individual's actual living patterns. The case examines how spending more time in Connecticut than Florida, despite obtaining a Florida driver's license and voter registration, led to a substantial tax liability.

California's proposed Billionaire Tax Act would impose a onetime 5% excise tax on individuals and trusts with assets exceeding $1 billion, creating unprecedented challenges for estate planners. The retroactive application and anti-abuse provisions raise critical questions about the treatment of grantor trusts, non-grantor trusts, and beneficiary interests that deviate significantly from established federal wealth transfer tax principles.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2026-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Investment Companies with Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions, on September 9, 2026. While the update is aimed at investment company accounting, it could benefit estate planners and valuation professionals who regularly defend marketability discounts on closely held and restricted stock.

New York City's Pied-à-Terre Tax Law has created uncertainty for homeowners following the Department of Finance's adoption of final rules and mailing of thousands of surcharge notification letters. This comprehensive analysis examines the tax's application to residential properties, clarifies common scenarios involving trusts and business entities, and provides guidance on exemption qualifications and appeal procedures before the October 6, 2026 deadline.

Greenberg Traurig's State and Local Tax team is hitting the road this fall with a packed schedule of speaking engagements at premier tax conferences across the country. From the COST Annual Meeting in San Antonio to the Hartman SALT Forum in Nashville, GT attorneys will address critical topics including legislative updates, apportionment issues, property tax developments, and multistate planning strategies that are shaping the state tax landscape.

New York City's newly enacted pied-a-terre tax targets high-value properties not used as primary residences, aiming to generate approximately $500 million in additional revenue. The tax's troubled rollout has created significant complications for property owners, particularly those holding real estate through trusts and LLCs, while raising constitutional questions that may signal a broader national trend in luxury property taxation.