8 New State Laws You Should Know For 2020

In the state tax world, the beginning of the year means new legislation goes into effect. Are you curious about which laws changed at the beginning of the month? Keep reading for eight states with new and updated sales tax laws you won’t want to miss.

Georgia: 529 Plan State Tax Update

For Georgia residents using a 529 Plan to save for college expenses, state tax deductions will double to be:

  • $4,000 per child for single taxpayers
  • $8,000 per year for those filing jointly with a spouse

This deduction will be available beginning with the 2020 tax year.

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Aaron Giles States Sales And Use Tax- Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts

Maine State Sales And Use Tax

The state of Maine increased its state sales tax rate to 5.5% on Oct. 1, 2013. Taxes are levied on the retail sale, lease or rental of most goods. There are no local sales taxes in the state of Maine.

Use tax is due on all purchases brought into the state of Maine, unless specifically exempted. Use tax is due at the same rates as sales tax. Returns are to be filed on or before the 15th day of the month following the month in which the purchases were made. For example, purchases made in the month of January should be reported to the state of Maine on or before February 15th.

For more information on Maine sales tax exemptions please visit the sites shown below.

Maine State Department of Revenue
Maine State Sales Tax Forms
Maine State Voluntary Disclosure Program

Maryland State Sales And Use Tax

The state of Maryland levies a 6% state sales tax rate on the retail sale, lease or rental of most goods. There are no local sales taxes in the state of Maryland.

Use tax is due on all purchases brought into the state of Maryland, unless specifically exempted. Use tax is due at the same rate as sales tax. Returns are to be filed on or before the 20th day of the month following the month in which the purchases were made. For example, purchases made in the month of January should be reported to the state of Maryland on or before February 20th.

For more information on Maryland sales tax exemptions please visit the sites shown below.

Maryland State Comptroller
Maryland Sales And Use Tax Forms
Maryland State Business Tax Credits

Massachusetts State Sales And Use Tax

The state of Massachusetts levies a 6.25% state sales tax on the retail sale, lease or rental of most goods and some services. There are no local sales taxes in the state of Massachusetts.

Use tax is also collected on the consumption, use or storage of goods in Massachusetts if sales tax was not paid on the purchase of the goods. The use tax rate is the same as the sales tax rate. Returns are to be filed on or before the 20th day of the month following the month in which the purchases were made. For example, purchases made in the month of January should be reported to the state of Massachusetts on or before February 20th.

For more information on Massachusetts sales tax exemptions please visit the sites shown below.

Massachusetts State Sales And Use Tax Guide

(This is part of the 50 States Sales And Use Tax Series)

Have a question? Contact Aaron Giles

 

Monika Miles, Maine, Multistate taxes

This month we travel all the way to the northeast corner of the country to the state with the rocky coastline and maritime history of Maine, the Pine Tree State.

Maine is the northeasternmost state in the contiguous United States. It is known for its jagged rocky coastline, low, rolling mountains, heavily forested interior, picturesque waterways, and its seafood cuisine, especially clams and lobster. Read More

There were numerous tax initiatives on ballots across the United States this year. One of the major tax initiatives was the legalization of marijuana and its subsequent taxing in eight states during the 2016 November election. Prior to the November elections, there were 26 states and the District of Columbia who legalized the use of marijuana, whether in the form of recreational use or medical use only. Now,California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine have all voted to allow the use of recreational marijuana. (As of now, the margin of victory in Maine is less than 1.5%, which means there will be a recount that does not affect the taxpayers.)

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