On June 26, 2019, Governor Ned Lamont signed a $43.4 billion budget for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. The biennial budget addresses the projected $3.7 billion budget deficit for the period, but still increases spending by 1.7% in the 2020 fiscal year, and by 3.4% in the 2021 fiscal year. Although a letter dated June 25, 2019 published by the Office of Fiscal Analysis projects a roughly $700 million surplus for the current fiscal year, and an increase to $2.28 billion in the Budget Reserve Fund (i.e., “rainy day fund”), the new budget contains hundreds of millions of dollars in tax and revenue increases and, in the words of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, “shifts billions of dollars in teacher pension debt and interest onto future taxpayers after 2032.” Critics of the budget assert that the budget is not balanced because it assumes several hundreds of millions of dollars in savings through the yet-to-be-negotiated refinancing of state employee pensions.

For Connecticut taxpayers, and particularly business taxpayers, it was a troublesome regular legislative session, but not as bad as it could have been. Governor Lamont was instrumental in preventing an increase in the marginal income tax rates and the adoption of a capital gains tax on high income taxpayers, but businesses will need to contend with a hike in the minimum wage, new paid family and medical leave legislation, an extension of the purported “temporary” 10% corporation business tax surcharge, a reduction in the cap on the use of corporation business tax credits and a reduction in the credit arising from the payment of the new Connecticut pass-through entity tax, resulting in a tax increase for many owners of limited liability companies, S corporations and partnerships. On a positive note, the Legislature agreed to phase out the corporation business capital base tax, extended for five years the angel investor tax program and repealed the biannual business entity tax (but simultaneously increased the fees payable to the Office of the Secretary of the State by the pass-through entities that were subject to that tax). Businesses should be aware, however, that the General Assembly also commissioned a study to evaluate the possible implementation of a payroll tax on employers in Connecticut commencing on January 1, 2021, and charged the Department of Revenue Services (the “Department” or “DRS”) to take those actions intended to facilitate the possible electronic deposit of sales tax receipts on a daily basis.

Individual taxpayers also will experience an increase in their Connecticut tax liability. The General Assembly extended the current limitations on the availability of the property tax credit, delayed the increase in the state teachers’ retirement system payment deduction and repealed the STEM graduate tax credit. More significantly, although the Legislature thwarted the Governor’s attempt to extend the sales and use tax to an even longer list of services, it did extend the tax to digital goods and downloads, motor vehicle parking, dry cleaning and laundry services and interior design services, and increased the tax rate on meals and beverages. There also is a new ten-cent tax on single use plastic check-out bags, and a higher conveyance tax rate on sales of real property of more than $2.5 million (subject to a possible increase of the property tax credit that may be taken by the seller of the residence if the seller remains in Connecticut). In addition, an attempt to repeal the gift tax was removed from the final budget legislation. The regular session also resulted in a myriad of other excise and other tax law changes with which businesses and individuals will need to cope.

We are anticipating the call this year of one or more special sessions of the General Assembly to address a variety of topics and unfinished business. The Governor has signaled his intention to focus one session on the proposal to add tolls, in return for which he has suggested the possible adoption of modest income tax relief. We, of course, will update this alert as those developments occur.

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This newsletter summarizes Connecticut tax legislation enacted, court decisions rendered and administrative guidance published by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services during the first six months of 2019. Except where noted, the Public Acts referenced in this alert have been signed by Governor Lamont. Please contact a member of our State and Local Tax Practice Group if you have questions regarding the new tax law changes or how they may affect you and your business. On July 11, our tax attorneys will host a CLE Webinar entitled “Annual Connecticut Tax Update 2019” Visit our CLE Knowledge Center (www.shipmangoodwin.com/cle-events) or register at https://bit.ly/2ITY48M.

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Photo of Alan E. Lieberman Alan E. Lieberman

Alan Lieberman’s practice involves counseling clients on matters involving international, federal, state and local taxation, and representing them in tax-related disputes in administrative and court proceedings. In addition, Alan represents clients in the formation, reorganization, and liquidation of business entities and tax-exempt organizations.

Photo of Louis B. Schatz Louis B. Schatz

Louis Schatz is a partner in Shipman’s Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group, and Chair of the State and Local Tax Group. From 2007 to 2017, Lou served on the firm’s seven-person Management Committee. He is the past Chair of the Tax Section…

Louis Schatz is a partner in Shipman’s Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group, and Chair of the State and Local Tax Group. From 2007 to 2017, Lou served on the firm’s seven-person Management Committee. He is the past Chair of the Tax Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.

Lou practices in the areas of federal and State of Connecticut tax with attention to the representation of closely held businesses organized as limited liability companies, partnerships and S corporations; real estate joint ventures; and the representation of taxpayers involved in federal and Connecticut tax controversies (at the audit, appellate and court levels). He is a frequent lecturer on federal and State of Connecticut tax, partnership and limited liability company issues.

Photo of Ray Casella Ray Casella

Ray practices in all areas of federal, state and local tax law. He has extensive experience representing tax-exempt organizations including schools, private foundations and public charities. Ray regularly deals with federal and state income tax issues, Connecticut sales and use tax issues, federal…

Ray practices in all areas of federal, state and local tax law. He has extensive experience representing tax-exempt organizations including schools, private foundations and public charities. Ray regularly deals with federal and state income tax issues, Connecticut sales and use tax issues, federal and state payroll tax issues, and private foundation excise taxes.

Photo of David O. Bigger David O. Bigger

David Bigger is chair of the firm’s Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group, and he has a comprehensive tax practice covering a wide range of areas of international, federal, state and local taxation, with particular emphasis on personal income tax, mergers and acquisitions…

David Bigger is chair of the firm’s Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group, and he has a comprehensive tax practice covering a wide range of areas of international, federal, state and local taxation, with particular emphasis on personal income tax, mergers and acquisitions, and matters involving the taxation of partnerships.  David has represented individuals and companies with regard to multi-state taxation issues, tax planning and investment strategies, reorganizations, enforcement and collection defense, and other federal and state tax controversies.

Photo of Robert L. Day, III Robert L. Day, III

Robert is a member of the Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group and practices primarily in the areas of federal, state and local taxation.  Robert regularly counsels a wide variety of taxpayers including individuals, manufacturers, insurers, media companies, financial institutions, hedge funds, and…

Robert is a member of the Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group and practices primarily in the areas of federal, state and local taxation.  Robert regularly counsels a wide variety of taxpayers including individuals, manufacturers, insurers, media companies, financial institutions, hedge funds, and asset management funds.  He also has experience representing these clients in tax controversies before the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services and other taxing authorities.

Photo of Elva M. Saltzman Elva M. Saltzman

Elva Saltzman is an associate in the firm’s Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group, where she assists clients in matters related to federal and state taxation. She has experience in tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, enforcement and collection defenses, and other federal and…

Elva Saltzman is an associate in the firm’s Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Group, where she assists clients in matters related to federal and state taxation. She has experience in tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, enforcement and collection defenses, and other federal and state tax controversies. Elva started her career in tax law at Shipman and then joined a Big Four accounting firm in its business tax services group, where she assisted private equity clients with tax compliance, before returning to the Shipman team.