Finding consensus, struggling with conflict at legislative halfway mark
As Indiana lawmakers prepare for the second half of the session, several key issues are awaiting further review.
Taxes
Articles
SCOTUS won’t halt Trump tax record turnover
In a significant defeat for former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court is declining to step in to halt the turnover of his tax records to a New York state prosecutor. The court’s action Monday is the apparent culmination of a lengthy legal battle that had already reached the high court once before.
HOA tax refund dispute to stay in trial court for now, COA rules
Despite being based in Indiana tax law, a motion to compel Marion County taxing officials to rule on refund requests by two homeowners associations must continue in trial court until a final determination on the refunds is reached.
Indiana GOP budget plan boosts school vouchers, smoking tax
Nearly one-fifth of a proposed state funding hike for Indiana’s schools would go toward expanding private school voucher and virtual school programs under a budget plan Republican legislators released Thursday.
Democrats propose $1,400 payments as part of Biden virus relief
House Democrats proposed an additional $1,400 in direct payments to individuals as Congress began piecing together a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that tracks President Joe Biden’s plan for battling the pandemic and reviving a still staggering economy.
Indiana lawmakers propose using cigarette tax for Medicaid
A House committee made significant changes Thursday to the way Indiana would spend proceeds from a proposal to hike the state’s cigarette tax https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/indiana-lawmakers-discuss-doubling-cigarette-tax-rate for the first time in more than a decade and impose a new state tax on vaping liquids.
After rift between partners, court asked to dissolve George & Farinas
Claiming she and her law partner can no longer continue working together, Indianapolis attorney Kathleen Farinas is asking the Marion County Commercial Court to dissolve George & Farinas LLP, appoint a receiver and enter damages against Linda George.
Indiana lawmakers discuss doubling cigarette tax rate
Indiana lawmakers are considering doubling the state’s cigarette tax and imposing a tax on e-cigarettes. If passed, the new $1 per pack tax would be the first increase since 2007 and the measure would also raise taxes on vaping products.
Tax Court allows motor carriers’ refund case to proceed
Three motor carriers can proceed with their claims for a tax refund from the state, the Indiana Tax Court has ruled.
Suspended attorney sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for tax evasion
A former Schererville personal injury and medical malpractice attorney who pleaded guilty to tax evasion has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The attorney, who was suspended from the practice of law last year, also was ordered to make restitution of more than $1.7 million.
Five from Indianapolis area sentenced to federal prison in $8.4M fraud scheme
A Zionsville business owner and four others from the Indianapolis area have been sentenced to federal prison for participating in an $8.4 million fraud and money-laundering scheme, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
Despite riot, impeachment, business as usual for high court
At this fraught moment in American history, the Supreme Court of the United States is doing its best to keep its head down, going about its regular business and putting off as many politically charged issues as it can, including whether President Donald Trump’s tax returns must be turned over to prosecutors in New York.
Tax Court remands valuation of Elkhart property
The Indiana Board of Tax Review must revisit its valuations of land owned by a northern Indiana manufacturer, the Indiana Tax Court has ruled.
Tax Court affirms assessment of Boone County Meijer store
The Indiana Tax Court has affirmed a final determination rendered by the Indiana Board of Tax Review for a Boone County Meijer store that increased its assessed value over four years.
Indianapolis’ Amazon offer can remain secret, COA affirms
Indianapolis’ offer of taxpayer money and financial incentives in an unsuccessful attempt to lure a coveted second Amazon headquarters can remain secret, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, rejecting an appeal by a tax trade publication that argued the offer must be disclosed as a public record.
Feds seek 15-month prison term for former Whiting mayor
Federal prosecutors are recommending a 15-month prison sentence for the former mayor of Whiting, who pleaded guilty to fraud and a tax crime.
Trump asking about special prosecutor for Hunter Biden
President Donald Trump is considering pushing to have a special counsel appointed to advance a federal tax investigation into the son of President-elect Joe Biden, setting up a potential showdown with incoming acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen.
Tax Court upholds 2018 assessment of Jackson Co. property
Jackson County homeowners who claimed to be victims of an abusive tax assessment system could not convince the Indiana Tax Court that a 2018 valuation of their home was incorrect.
COA reverses for couple, against Noblesville in adverse possession dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed in favor of two longtime Noblesville residents who exercised control over an abandoned railroad right of way for decades, finding the residents reasonably believed they were paying taxes on the right of way during a period of adverse possession.
Elanco to build $100 million HQ campus at former GM site downtown
Elanco Animal Health Inc. announced Friday morning it will build a $100 million headquarters campus at the former General Motors stamping plant west of downtown, a move the state has incentivized with more than $86 million in tax breaks plus land for the project. The announcement came after the former owner of the site dismissed a lawsuit against the city and announced the property had been sold.