#Tax deductions California

[nriwealth]

Tax Planning In California For Individual

Explore essential strategies for individual tax planning in California. Understand how to minimize tax liabilities, utilize state-specific deductions, and take advantage of retirement savings options to maximize your financial benefits. Stay compliant with California's unique tax laws while optimizing your returns.

[cringetownusa]

some people seem to really like my insane rants, so I'm gonna clean up the one I have about the warners and taxes to put on here

[pradotaxservices]

Expert Tax Planning and Online Tax Filing Services in San Francisco, CA

Discover expert tax planning, preparation, and online filing services tailored for Personal and businesses in San Francisco, CA. Maximize deductions and ensure accuracy with professional tax consultants. Visit www.pradotaxservices.com to learn more.

[hperkins399]

Tax Planning Tips for California Entrepreneurs: Maximizing Deductions and Credits

Tax planning is a critical aspect of financial management for California entrepreneurs. With the complex tax landscape in the Golden State, understanding how to maximize deductions and credits can significantly impact your bottom line. This article aims to provide actionable tax planning tips tailored specifically for entrepreneurs operating in California, helping them navigate the intricacies of tax law while optimizing their tax liabilities.

1. Stay Informed About California-Specific Tax Regulations: California has its own set of tax regulations that differ from federal tax laws. Entrepreneurs must stay informed about these state-specific regulations to ensure compliance and take advantage of available deductions and credits. Keep abreast of changes in tax laws and consult with a tax professional who is well-versed in California tax regulations to maximize savings opportunities.

2. Leverage Small Business Tax Credits: California offers various tax credits specifically designed to support small businesses. Research and identify credits applicable to your business, such as the California Competes Tax Credit or the New Employment Credit, which can significantly reduce your tax burden. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria and take full advantage of these credits to maximize tax savings.

3. Optimize Business Structure for Tax Efficiency: Choosing the right business structure is crucial for tax planning. Different structures have varying tax implications, so consider factors such as liability protection, ease of administration, and tax treatment when selecting a business entity. For instance, forming an S Corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC) can offer tax advantages such as pass-through taxation and potential deductions not available to sole proprietors.

4. Maximize Deductions for Business Expenses: Keep meticulous records of all business expenses throughout the year to maximize deductions. Common deductible expenses for entrepreneurs include office rent, utilities, supplies, marketing expenses, and professional services fees. Additionally, take advantage of deductions for home office expenses if you operate your business from home, ensuring compliance with IRS guidelines to avoid triggering red flags during audits.

5. Invest in Retirement Plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Contributing to retirement plans like SEP-IRAs or 401(k)s not only helps secure your financial future but also offers tax benefits. Contributions to these plans are often tax-deductible, reducing your taxable income. Similarly, contributing to HSAs can provide tax advantages, as contributions are tax-deductible, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

6. Monitor Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments: California entrepreneurs are generally required to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties for underpayment. Monitor your income and tax liabilities throughout the year, adjusting estimated payments as necessary to account for fluctuations in income or changes in tax laws. Failing to make accurate quarterly payments can result in unnecessary penalties and interest charges.

7. Take Advantage of Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credits: California offers R&D tax credits to incentivize innovation and business growth. If your business engages in qualifying research and development activities, you may be eligible for significant tax credits. Consult with a tax professional to determine your eligibility and ensure compliance with documentation requirements to claim these credits effectively.

Conclusion:

Effective tax planning is essential for California entrepreneurs to minimize tax liabilities and maximize financial resources for business growth and personal wealth accumulation.

By staying informed about state-specific tax regulations, leveraging available credits and deductions, optimizing business structures, and monitoring tax payments, entrepreneurs can navigate the complex tax landscape with confidence and strategic foresight.

Consultation with a qualified tax advisor, such as expert accountants in California, is highly recommended to develop a customized tax planning strategy tailored to your business's unique needs and circumstances.

By implementing these tax planning tips, California entrepreneurs can position themselves for long-term success and prosperity in the competitive business environment of the Golden State.

[ileadtaxllc123]

Why you should choose Ileadtax LLC for preparing your taxes

Taxes are a gray area where without proper expertise one can’t differentiate head to tail. Although complex one cannot completely ignore taxes. So how can we solve the dilemma? That is use the guidance from reputable tax filing firms for tax filing services. IleadtaxLLC is one such firm that you can seek consulting. This article is written to educate you on why you should choose ileadtax for tax filing services

Why taxes are a grey area?

Taxes are a vast subject, let me brief you on how taxes can be complicated:

You must always be on the lookout for updates and proper use of tax regulations. 

You need to understand why you are filing for taxes and if done to maximize tax returns and reduce tax deductions.

India has multiple taxes and legislation at different levels of government.

You must know the tax laws.

Vast permutations and combinations etc…

Why you should choose Ileadtax LLC?

Knowledge and Experience: Reputable companies frequently hire tax experts who have a wealth of experience and a current understanding of the constantly changing tax code. Because they are knowledgeable about the nuances of tax rules, these experts can effectively traverse complex situations and spot possible credits and deductions, which will eventually optimize your tax situation. Their Tax Preparation & Planning Services in India thorough comprehension aids in reducing mistakes and increasing tax efficiency.

Accuracy and Compliance: Since tax regulations are complex and frequently change, accuracy and compliance are essential. Reputable companies make sure your taxes are correctly prepared and submitted in compliance with the most recent laws. This greatly lowers the possibility of errors that could result in fines or audits, assuring you that your financial commitments are fulfilled per the law and also reducing tax deductions.

Customization and Strategic Planning: A respectable company responds to your unique needs with customized tax planning and preparing services. Whether it's personal or business-related, they take the time to comprehend your financial status and develop a plan to reduce your tax obligations while optimizing your advantages. This individualized strategy helps you reach your financial objectives by customizing solutions to your particular situation.

Support and Advocacy: A respectable firm will be there for you in the event of an audit or if you need help with tax-related matters. They will offer support and act as your champion. Their proficiency and understanding can be quite valuable when interacting with tax officials or settling conflicts, providing comfort and assistance in trying circumstances.

Benefits Over Time: Hiring a trustworthy company for your tax requirements creates a partnership that lasts a lifetime. They learn about your financial background over time, which helps them to give you consistent, dependable business consulting services, adjust to changes in your situation, and continue to be a source of support and counsel.

To sum up, selecting a reliable company to prepare and file your taxes is an investment in your financial stability and peace of mind. Although financial concerns may lead people or companies to choose less expensive or unreliable options, the dangers of mistakes, fines, or lost opportunities exceed the immediate savings. Ileadtax LLC business consulting California in India guarantees your financial security and compliance with tax regulations by providing knowledge, compliance, customization, dependability, assistance, and long-term advantages from tax accounting experts. A professional agency can provide you with vital reassurance and benefits when it comes to addressing your taxes.

[simply-ivanka]

Tim Walz’s Progressive Tax Experiment

The Minnesota economy is no success story on the Governor’s watch.

By The Editorial Board - Wall Street Journal

Our friends in the press don’t seem to care about Tim Walz’s economic record as Governor of Minnesota. But Americans might be interested since it foreshadows where a Kamala Harris-Walz Administration would take the country with their policies.

Minnesota boasts a low employment rate (2.9%), but that’s less impressive than it seems. Nearly all of its job growth under Mr. Walz has been in industries that rely on government spending. Since he entered office in January 2019, Minnesota has added a net 41,500 jobs. This includes 43,900 in healthcare and social assistance and 12,600 in government.

Private industries have lost jobs, including finance, information, professional and business services, retail, manufacturing and leisure and hospitality. Such job losses started before the pandemic but accelerated during Mr. Walz's prolonged lockdowns and have increased during the last year.

Manufacturing employment has declined by 7,500 over the past 12 months, while professional and business services have shed 22,700 jobs. This is especially notable since Mr. Walz last spring signed a giant tax increase, including a 1% surcharge on investment income over $1 million. He also reduced standard deductions for businesses such as for net operating losses.

At the same time he expanded myriad tax credits such as for rent, film production, dependent care and families. Minnesotans can even get a $150 refund for contributing to state political parties and candidates. Such tax credits shrink the tax base so much that Democrats have to keep rates high. Minnesota’s top rate is 9.85% not counting his one-percentage point surcharge—which sends the rich or retired out of state.

Households with roughly $5 billion in adjusted gross income left Minnesota between 2019 and 2022, according to the most recent IRS data. Minnesota in 2022 ranked eighth in income loss among states as a share of overall AGI, after Illinois, New York, California, New Jersey, Alaska, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Top destinations for Minnesota refugees include zero-income tax Florida, Texas and South Dakota. South Dakota’s rate of job growth has been more than four times higher than Minnesota’s since Mr. Walz took the helm. At least overtaxed and jobless Minnesotans can vote with their feet. If Ms. Harris wins, all Americans might have to live by California and Minnesota rules.

[shannendoherty-fans]

Shannen Doherty’s Untimely Death Sparks Important Conversations About Healthcare Access And Equity

By Janice Gassam Asare

Shannen Doherty, the actress best known for her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed has died after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 53. In a 2015 statement to People magazine, the actress revealed her breast cancer diagnosis, stating that she was “undergoing treatment” and that she was suing a firm and its former business manager for causing her to lose her health insurance due to a failure to pay the insurance premiums. According to reports, in a lawsuit Doherty shared that she hired a firm for tax, accounting, and investment services, among other things, and that part of their role was to make her health insurance premium payments to the Screen Actors Guild; Doherty claimed that their failure to make the premium payments in 2014 caused her health insurance to lapse until the re-enrollment period in 2015. When Doherty went in for a checkup in March of 2015, the cancer was discovered, at which time it had spread. In the lawsuit, Doherty indicated that if she had insurance, she would have been able to get the checkup sooner—the cancer would have been discovered, and she could have avoided chemotherapy and a mastectomy.

Under the IRS, actors are often classified as independent contractors, which comes with its own set of challenges. Although it is unclear what Doherty’s situation was, for many independent contractors, obtaining health insurance can be difficult. Trying to get health insurance as an independent contractor can be a costly and convoluted process. A 2020 Actors’ Equity Association survey indicated that “more than 80% of nonunion actors and stage managers in California have been misclassified as independent contractors.” A 2021 research study revealed that self-employment (which is what independent contractors are considered to be) was associated with a higher likelihood of being uninsured.

Doherty’s tragic situation invites a larger conversation about healthcare access and equity in the United States. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare,” was signed into law in 2010 and revolutionized healthcare access in two distinct ways: “creating health insurance marketplaces with federal financial assistance that reduces premiums and deductibles and by allowing states to expand Medicaid to adults with household incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.” The ACA helped reduce the number of uninsured Americans and expanded healthcare access to those most in need. It also helped close gaps in coverage for different populations, including those with pre-existing health conditions, lower-income individuals, part-time workers, and those from historically excluded and marginalized populations.

Despite strides made through the ACA, healthcare access and equity are still persistent issues, especially within marginalized communities. Research from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) examining 2010-2022 data indicated that in 2022, non-elderly American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN) and Hispanic people had the greatest uninsured rates (19.1% and 18% respectively). When compared with their white counterparts, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI) and Black people also had higher uninsured rates at 12.7% and 10%, respectively. The Commonwealth Fund reported that between 2013 and 2021, “states that expanded Medicaid eligibility had higher rates of insurance coverage and health care access, with smaller disparities between racial/ethnic groups and larger improvements, than states that didn’t expand Medicaid.” It’s important to note that if a Republican president is elected, Project 2025, the far-right policy proposal document, seeks to upend Medicaid as we know it by introducing limits on the amount of time that a person can receive Medicaid.

When peeling back the layers to examine these racial and ethnic differences in more detail, the Brookings Institute noted in 2020 that the refusal of several states to expand Medicaid could be one contributing factor. One 2017 research study found that some underrepresented racial groups were more likely to experience insurance loss than their white counterparts. The study indicated that for Black and Hispanic populations, specific trigger events were more likely, as well as “socioeconomic characteristics” that were linked to more insurance loss and slower insurance gain. The study also noted that in the U.S., health insurance access was associated with employment and and marriage and that Black and Hispanic populations were “disadvantaged in both areas.”

Equity in and access to healthcare is fundamental, but bias is omnipresent. Age bias, for example, is a pervasive issue in breast cancer treatment. Research also indicates that racial bias is a prevalent issue—because the current guidelines in breast cancer screenings are based on white populations, this can lead to a delayed diagnosis for women from non-white communities. Our health is one of our greatest assets and healthcare should be a basic human right, no matter what state or country you live in. As a society, we must ensure that healthcare is available, affordable and accessible to all citizens. After all, how can a country call itself great if so many of its citizens, especially those most marginalized and vulnerable, don’t have access to healthcare?

[copperbadge]

Radio Free Monday

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday!

A note before we begin -- normally I don't do this (as you all know) but I happened to see a comment on one of the RFM posts this week by someone offering help in their crowdfunding campaign, and it reeks so strongly of the worst kind of predator that I wanted to get the word out -- kendrajanesblog is apparently running around fundraising posts offering to help, but the only post on their own blog is an offer to build an email campaign on kickstarter for $20. I don't think this is reportable but it is absolutely appalling, so I suggest blocking this person and passing the word if you see them commenting on a fundraising post. I'm hoping this is not a new trend but given the last spam trend on Tumblr was people sending asks about fake fundraisers, I can't be sure this isn't the next wave.

Ways to Give:

Anon linked to a fundraiser for Jack "Rocky" Payne and his wife Cloie, who are trying to offset the cost of his care for ALS, including medical bills, equipment, and accessible renovations to their home. He is no longer able to work due to the disease, and she has had to take leave in order to care for him full-time, which has obviously left them struggling financially. You can read more and give to the fundraiser here.

kitsumo linked to a fundraiser for his family, a single autistic mother with five neurodivergent kids, which has recently become homeless in California and need funds for necessities like food, covering phone bills, and shelter. You can read more and reblog here or give directly here.

grindthebones linked to a fundraiser for Kelsey and her dog Annie; Kelsey is a young disabled woman who isn't on social security yet, and her family recently stopped paying her rent and will not allow her back in the home; they're trying to prevent homelessness while she finds housing and aid. You can read more and support the fundraiser here.

gorkhandsmcschmuck is raising funds to cover an overdraft; due to some banking nonsense around Memorial Day he ended up with a negative balance, and needs to raise $50 to cover it, hoping to raise $100 to help with food until the first paycheck comes in. You can read more and reblog here or give directly via paypal here.

wolfsbanesparks linked to a fundraiser for friends who just lost their house in a flood, including almost all of their possessions; their insurance is balking at covering anything, so they're having to pay for repairs out of pocket. You can read more and support the fundraiser here.

News To Know:

blackestglass is running the fourth annual Chromatic Characters Podfic Anthology, which collects podfics of stories of less than 1500 words and center characters of color. This year's optional theme is "solidarity" and the due date for submissions is September 12th; this is a final call for volunteers of color who would like to lend their services as contextual content betas (formerly known as cultural sensitivity listeners) which is their biggest need at this point. You can read more and comment here to volunteer or ask a question, DM the mods on twitter at ccpamods, or email ccpamods at gmail.com.

Recurring Needs:

Anon linked to a fundraiser for dee-the-red-witch, a trans woman who needs to raise $10K to keep her home. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here, give via paypal here, or purchase her leatherwork here.

frenchroasted's cousin, who has been fundraising for a used wheelchair-accessible van after herniating her back lifting her stepson's wheelchair and had to have surgery for it, has partnered with MyDMDHero which is now hosting their fundraiser on GiveButter so that their donations are tax-deductible. You can read more and support the fundraiser, formerly at GoFundMe, here. (Also to Frenchroasted -- got your request, can do.)

alirhi linked to a fundraiser to get herself, her mother, and her sister stable housing; they are currently staying in their cars in a a dangerous parking lot. They have a friend who will let them park a camper in her yard, but the camper there currently is unlivable, and they haven't been able to find an affordable replacement. With two of the family on disability it is difficult for them to keep up with bills and also save for housing. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here including a few new ways to give.

And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can post items for my attention at the Radio Free Monday submissions form. If you're new to fundraising, you may want to check out my guide to fundraising here.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Julie Tsirkin and Monica Alba at NBC News:

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will take a historic step toward easing federal restrictions on cannabis, with plans to announce an interim rule soon reclassifying the drug for the first time since the Controlled Substances Act was enacted more than 50 years ago, four sources with knowledge of the decision tell NBC News. The Drug Enforcement Administration is expected to approve an opinion by the Department of Health and Human Services that marijuana should be reclassified from the most strict Schedule I to the less stringent Schedule III, marking the first time that the U.S. government would acknowledge its potential medical benefits and begin studying them in earnest. Attorney General Merrick Garland will submit the rescheduling proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget as early as Tuesday afternoon, a source familiar with the timeline told NBC News. The Justice Department "continues to work on this rule," a Biden administration official said. "We have no further comment at this time."

What rescheduling means

Since 1971, marijuana has been in the same category as heroin, methamphetamines and LSD. Each substance under the Schedule I classification is defined as a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule III substances include Tylenol with codeine, steroids and testosterone. By rescheduling cannabis, the drug would now be studied and researched to identify concrete medical benefits, opening the door for pharmaceutical companies to get involved with the sale and distribution of medical marijuana in states where it is legal.  For the $34 billion cannabis industry, the move would also eliminate significant tax burdens for businesses in states where the drug is legal, notably getting rid of the Internal Revenue Services code Section 280E which currently prohibits legal cannabis companies from deducting what would otherwise be ordinary business expenses. The Department of Justice’s rescheduling decision could also help shrink the black market which has thrived despite legalization in states like New York and California and has undercut legal markets that are fiercely regulated and highly taxed.

The Biden Administration announces its plans to reclassify marijuana from the stringent Schedule I to the much more lenient Schedule III, following recommendations from the HHS and the DEA.

[houseofbrat]

Democratic party civil war, you say?

Matt Stoller on Kamala Harris:

There's a fair critique here of Kamala Harris skeptics. What basis do we have for skepticism? I'll lay out my views, which are largely policy-centered. I realize no one cares about what kind of leader Harris will be as President, but if there's one lesson we should take away from this moment, it's that we as a party should try to think more than five minutes ahead instead of panicking ourselves into a rushed decision. I started paying attention to Harris when she became California AG in 2010, because some friends worked to get her elected. It was in the middle of the financial crisis, Bush's and Obama's handling of which eventually led to the emergence of Trump. While AG, she had her most important test as an executive presiding over a big political economy decision - what to do about foreclosure crisis in California. Her position was unusual, because California is a big state, so the AG office is, staffed with many lawyers who can do complex finance analysis. Most states don't. There are only a few places - Texas, NY, Illinois, California - who have the capacity to truly wage independent litigation against powerful institutions like big banks. Harris pledged to do so. [Harris] pledged take on the banks and get something genuinely meaningful for homeowners for a mass legal violation called foreclosure fraud that put them on the hook for trillions. The details aren't important but if you want to know them read Dave Dayen's Chain of Title. It's something I was involved in. After two years where it became obvious Obama was on the wrong side, it was exciting to see a Democrat finally stand up.

Only, she didn't. Harris signed a sham settlement with a big fake fine number, that mostly let the banks do whatever they want, and I believe even get a tax deduction for the fines they did pay. As a result, a lot of people lost their homes who shouldn't have. That was a tragedy. But then when she was running for President in 2020, she *bragged* about what she did. It was rancid, similar to the worst of Obama. https://theintercept.com/2019/03/13/kamala-harris-mortage-crisis… Later it came out that her staff had given her memos on how she should have prosecuted (later) Trump Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's bank OneWest, but just chose not to. It's not hard to see that, had Obama (and Harris) actually put the bad guys away, a whole slew of Trump officials would have been in jail rather than in the cabinet. https://politico.com/news/2019/10/22/kamala-harris-attorney-general-california-housing-053716…

I didn't pay as much attention to her big tech work or her time in the Senate, but she's quite close to a whole slew of people in the industry, top execs at Google and Facebook like Sheryl Sandberg. While AG, which was when these companies cemented their dominance in America, Harris's office saw Facebook as "a good actor." She took no actions against big firms as AG, opposed important legislation, and even started a privacy-related "monthly working group that included representatives from Facebook, Google, Instagram, and Kleiner Perkins. In internal documents, Harris' office referred to the companies as "partners."' Again, standard operating Obamacrat stuff. https://businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-silicon-valley-big-tech-facebook-attorney-general-2021-11…… Harris's circle of friends and family are biglaw Obamacrats. Her brother-in-law Tony West was a high-level Obama official, and now GC of Uber. Her niece worked at Uber, Slack, and FB, and her husband was a biglaw partner at Venable and DLA Piper. His clients included Walmart, Merck, and an arms dealer, and there were ethics questions since DLA Piper had a long list of foreign clients. https://nytimes.com/2020/08/17/us/elections/doug-emhoff-kamala-harriss-husband-takes-a-leave-of-absence-from-his-law-firm.html…

How does this differ from Biden's track record? As a Senator, you could read him like Harris. Biden did whatever the credit card companies wanted, was in on bad trade deals, and was VP when Obama mishandled the financial crisis. But Biden always had a tinge of populism. In the 1990s, he went after Stephen Breyer in his hearing for the Supreme Court, calling him an elitist for instance. He was a foreign policy guy, and never liked the Silicon Valley and Wall Street execs, he always thought they looked down on him. As President, he delegated and ignored most domestic policy, and so some of it went to populists and union people while most of it went to neoliberals like Janet Yellen and Neera Tanden. The net result of Biden's choices is a mix - good policy in a few areas, and rank incompetence across a host of them, as well as fantastically incompetent messaging. What was Harris's role? As VP, she's largely been absent from most policy areas I follow, so I don't know how to think about her views on Biden's economic agenda. She's certainly never talked about or been involved in anything competition or regulatory minded that I can see. She does not seem to be a player in any of the big money areas. That said, Harris has proven incapable of managing important tasks like addressing or even explaining the obviously dysfunctional asylum process at the border, so it's hard to know how much she *can* actually do in terms of competence. There's also a lot of inertia here, it's not like she can change everything on a dime. She will inherit Biden's legacy and officeholders, and she hasn't done much as VP to thwart economic policy, for good or ill.

So how will she be as President? I don't want to overstate my read, it's just a guess. But since we're all just guessing, what I suspect is she'll lead to a total wipeout of Dems in 2026 and 2028 as the party turns wholly against working people, and a more complete Trump-y style realignment. And that's if she wins. So that's the optimistic scenario.

Dem Civil War commencing...

[follow-up-news]

The Biden administration will take a historic step toward easing federal restrictions on cannabis, with plans to announce an interim rule soon reclassifying the drug for the first time since the Controlled Substances Act was enacted more than 50 years ago, four sources with knowledge of the decision tell NBC News. The Drug Enforcement Administration is expected to approve an opinion by the Department of Health and Human Services that marijuana should be reclassified from the most strict Schedule I to the less stringent Schedule III, marking the first time that the U.S. government would acknowledge its potential medical benefits and begin studying them in earnest. The Justice Department "continues to work on this rule," a Biden administration official said. "We have no further comment at this time." Since 1971, marijuana has been in the same category as heroin, methamphetamines and LSD. Each substance under the Schedule I classification is defined as a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule III substances include Tylenol with codeine, steroids and testosterone. By rescheduling cannabis, the drug would now be studied and researched to identify concrete medical benefits, opening the door for pharmaceutical companies to get involved with the sale and distribution of medical marijuana in states where it is legal.  For the $34 billion cannabis industry, the move would also eliminate significant tax burdens for businesses in states where the drug is legal, notably getting rid of the Internal Revenue Services code Section 280E which currently prohibits legal cannabis companies from deducting what would otherwise be ordinary business expenses. The Department of Justice’s rescheduling decision could also help shrink the black market which has thrived despite legalization in states like New York and California and has undercut legal markets that are fiercely regulated and highly taxed.

[beardedmrbean]

Uber and Lyft agreed Thursday to pay a combined $328 million for withholding money from drivers.

Uber agreed to pay $290 million and Lyft $38 million in what New York Attorney General Letitia James called the largest wage-theft settlement her office has ever secured.

The money will be distributed to cheated drivers who will get back pay along with mandatory paid sick leave and other benefits. Eligible drivers can file a claim to receive the money owed.

The "historic" agreement "builds on the benefits and protections that drivers already enjoy through the state’s Black Car Fund," Lyft said in a statement. The agreement amounted to a "win" for drivers, Jeremy Bird, the company's chief policy officer, said.

"We look forward to continuing this work in order to provide New York drivers the independence and full range of benefits available to those in other states, like California and Washington,” Bird said in a statement.

The "landmark, first-of-its-kind agreement" will bring Uber closer to its goal of allowing drivers to choose "flexibility" in their work without giving up protections, the company said in a statement.

"For years, we have advocated to change the status quo to allow those who choose platform work to have both the ability to work when, where and how often they want, as well as receive important benefits," Uber said.

Today, Uber reached a with New York Attorney General Letitia James, that gets us closer to achieving that goal.

From 2014 to 2017, Uber deducted sales taxes and Black Car Fund fees from drivers' payments when those taxes and fees should have been paid by passengers, the attorney general's office said.

Uber misrepresented the deductions made to drivers' pay in their terms of service, telling drivers that Uber would only deduct its commission from the drivers' fare, and that drivers were "entitled to charge [the passenger] for any tolls, taxes or fees incurred," though no method to do this was ever provided via the Uber Driver app.

Lyft used a similar method to shortchange drivers from 2015 to 2017, deducting an 11.4% "administrative charge" from drivers' payments in New York equal to the amount of sales tax and Black Car Fund fees that should have been paid by riders.

Uber and Lyft also failed to provide drivers with paid sick leave available to employees under New York City and New York State law.

"For years, Uber and Lyft systemically cheated their drivers out of hundreds of millions of dollars in pay and benefits while they worked long hours in challenging conditions," James said in a statement. "These drivers overwhelmingly come from immigrant communities and rely on these jobs to provide for their families. This settlement will ensure they finally get what they have rightfully earned and are owed under the law."

In addition to paying a total of $328 million in back pay to former drivers, Uber and Lyft agreed to an "earnings floor," guaranteeing drivers across the state are paid a minimum rate. Drivers outside of New York City will receive a minimum of $26 per hour. Drivers operating in New York City already receive minimum driver pay under regulations established by the Taxi & Limousine Commission in 2019.

Uber and Lyft drivers will now also receive guaranteed paid sick leave. Drivers will earn one hour of sick pay for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 56 hours per year.

[thegoddamnwordsmith]

Vote the EcoVivarium Reptile Rescue in the 2024 All-in 4 Change grant program!

Hello, everyone!

Harrah’s Resort Southern California has opened voting for their annual “All-in 4 Change” grant program, where fifteen non-profits in the San Diego, Riverside, and Orange County areas are awarded a portion of a $150,000 cash grant to fund their efforts in helping people and animals through the various programs they run. This year, the non-profit reptile rescue and living museum, the EcoVivarium Reptile Sanctuary, is one of the nominees. EcoVivarium is a cause very close to home for me – members of my family either work there or volunteer there, and we have adopted a number of animals through them, which is why I would like to ask that anyone interested please cast a vote for them. Each person can vote once per day, so if you’re so inclined, please help get EcoVivarium to the top slot! Voting is open until August 28th.

What is the EcoVivarium Reptile Sanctuary?

Located in Escondido, EcoVivarium is one of the largest reptile, amphibian, and arthropod rescues in the United States. Since 2009, they have been devoted to the health and well-being of the animals that come through their doors, and educating children and adults alike about these unique, often misunderstood and misrepresented creatures. EcoVivarium handles many educational programs, both on-site and abroad, as well as birthday parties and events, where people can learn about lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, frogs, and arthropods first-hand, even gaining hands-on experiences with some of them. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about these animals, and has the patience to help even the most misgiving of people the chance to understand these wonderful creatures. In addition to their extensive special programs, EcoVivarium hosts regular on-site tours, both for walk-in customers and advanced reservations. Visitors will get the chance to pet and even hold a variety of animals, as well as meet some of the Animal Ambassadors, such as Ed the Galapagos Tortoise or Mac the Giant Water Monitor Lizard.

On top of this, EcoVivarium also has limited adoption options you can explore if you would like to add a new member to your family and provide a forever home to one of these wonderful animals. As a reptile rescue, they receive many animals regularly, either due to owner neglect or inability to provide for them, or due to injuries and special needs. Many animals will end up calling EcoVivarium their home, due to factors requiring special care (injuries, trauma-related temperament issues, and/or permit-related legal issues regarding private ownership), but still many more are ready to find a permanent family beyond the facility, one who is ready to love and care for a unique, but incredible friend. As of this writing, there are over 400 animals in EcoVivarium’s care, and with so many of them needing special attention, finding homes for those who are capable of being adopted out is a high priority.

EcoVivarium is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, with all funds going directly back into animal care and facility maintenance. The organization is handled by a small staff of animal care professionals and educators, supplemented with a number of volunteers of all ages. For more information, please feel free to contact me, or you can contact them directly at Home - EcoVivarium.

Aside from this grant program, they can be donated to directly as well. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

[lordzannis]

There are several serious concerns regarding DreamWorks Animation in recent years:

Shifting Production Away from In-House

DreamWorks is shifting away from fully producing animated films in-house at its Glendale, California studio. The studio is partnering with Sony Pictures Imageworks to handle asset builds and shot production for an upcoming 2025 film. This reflects a new cost-cutting model where DreamWorks will outsource some work to partner studios in lower cost locations to reduce production costs by 20%[1]. This has raised concerns among DreamWorks staff about job security and the studio's commitment to in-house production.

Significant Layoffs

In March 2024, DreamWorks announced huge layoffs across multiple departments. Reddit users commented that the studio won't be recovering from this round of layoffs, blaming the outsourcing strategy[2]. The exact number of jobs lost is unclear, but it seems to be a major blow to the studio's workforce.

Questionable Leadership Decisions

DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg has made some decisions that have raised eyebrows. In 2013, President Obama visited DreamWorks and joked about Katzenberg's large ego[4]. More concerning is Katzenberg's history of overseeing the shift of production from Culver City to Vancouver at Sony Pictures Imageworks to take advantage of tax credits[1]. This suggests a willingness to prioritize cost savings over maintaining jobs in Los Angeles.

Outsourcing Threatens Local Economy

The animation industry is a major economic engine for Southern California, similar to how finance is to New York or tech is to Silicon Valley[4]. By shifting production overseas, DreamWorks is putting local jobs at risk and threatening the viability of the local animation ecosystem. This could have ripple effects on the broader economy of the region.

In summary, DreamWorks appears to be making decisions that prioritize short-term cost savings over maintaining a robust in-house production workforce. While some outsourcing may be necessary to stay competitive, the scale and speed of the changes raise serious concerns about the studio's long-term commitment to its Los Angeles workforce and the local economy. Significant layoffs and the CEO's history of prioritizing tax credits over local jobs add to the sense of unease among DreamWorks employees and the surrounding community.

Citations: [1] https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/dreamworks-shifting-away-from-in-house-production-in-los-angeles-sony-imageworks-is-new-production-partner-233466.html [2] https://www.reddit.com/r/vfx/comments/1bdemof/dreamworks_layoffs/ [3] https://www.thegamer.com/things-wrong-dreamworks-movies-choose-ignore/ [4] https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/26/remarks-president-economy-dreamworks [5] https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-times-dreamworks-movies-tackled-serious-issues

Here are some potential solutions for holding DreamWorks Animation accountable and ensuring they pay their fair share of taxes:

Advocate for Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes

DreamWorks and other large corporations often exploit loopholes and tax havens to minimize their tax burden[3]. Employees should urge lawmakers to close these loopholes and ensure companies like DreamWorks pay their fair share. This could involve measures like:

Eliminating deductions for offshoring jobs and profits

Imposing a minimum tax on corporate book income

Increasing IRS funding for auditing large corporations

Requiring public country-by-country reporting of taxes paid

Push for Transparency Around Tax Practices

DreamWorks should be more transparent about its tax practices and lobbying efforts related to taxes[3]. Employees can demand the company publicly disclose its effective tax rate, tax credits and incentives received, and political contributions. Greater transparency would allow stakeholders to hold the company accountable.

Support Unionization to Increase Bargaining Power

Unionizing gives workers more leverage to demand that DreamWorks invest in its workforce rather than prioritizing tax avoidance[2]. Unions can negotiate for higher wages, better benefits, and more training that improves productivity and reduces the need for tax breaks. Collective bargaining power is key to rebalancing the scales.

Collaborate with Community Organizations

DreamWorks employees should partner with local community groups, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations that are pushing for corporate tax reform and responsible business practices[3]. By pooling resources and amplifying each other's voices, workers and activists can build a powerful movement for change.

Engage with Shareholders

As a publicly traded company, DreamWorks is accountable to its shareholders. Employees who own stock should engage with the company's leadership and other investors to voice concerns about tax avoidance and demand more responsible corporate citizenship[3]. Shareholder resolutions and proxy voting can influence company policies.

By pursuing these solutions, DreamWorks Animation employees can help ensure the company contributes its fair share to society through the tax system. Closing loopholes, increasing transparency, unionizing, collaborating with allies, and engaging shareholders are all important levers for driving accountability. Responsible corporate tax practices are key to funding public services and infrastructure that benefit workers and communities.

Citations: [1] https://dreamworkstaxsolutions.com [2] https://www.reddit.com/r/vfx/comments/1bdemof/dreamworks_layoffs/ [3] https://filmstories.co.uk/news/dreamworks-animation-set-to-outsource-work-to-tax-advantaged-lower-cost-geographies/ [4] https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/how-to-manage-taxes-as-an-indie-developer [5] http://www.filmstrategy.com/2015/04/production-tips-filmmaker-and-taxes.html

[mygainyear2024]

Day 54 Porto to Douro Valley

Another game of tetris with the suitcases, but I get to leave most of my stuff at the next accommodation in another part of Porto, so I can travel more lightly to Douro for the weekend. Eva (Upwork) thought about this option and instead of carrying it all or paying luggage storage, I think it's inclusive, and it's so close to the train station I'll be able to "easily" get the train to Lisbon on Monday, however I do have the cobblestones to contend with.

The train is over 2 hours and I was prepared to make sure I sat on the right hand side to get the best view. The train was packed, standing room only! At least I got the window view behind the luggage storage area and a nice option to prop up the iphone on someone's pram, to watch the first episode of Bridgerton season 3.

I organised, ahead of time, lunch at The Bridge 1870, not sure where all the other tourists were but I was the only one of two diners. Not feeling particularly hungry I asked for wine first, a lovely glass of rosé from Quinta das Carvalhas, where I'm going on Sunday for a tasting.

A taxi is then required to make it to my accommodation in Valença do Douro, a fabulous B&B, Quinta Da Casa Cimeira. Eva found this gem and I highly recommend it to anyone coming this way. The taxi cost €15. Sandro, a guest, is in the carpark, takes my case and shows me the way. Miguel meets me outside and asks “are you staying?” God I hope so! I remind him about Eva, nope! I say I wrote to confirm. It’s ok. He rushes to sort my room and offers me a port while I wait.

The setting is fabulous, and dinner is served around a large table, so I got to meet the gorgeous looking Alex from Dublin (now living in Bath with his partner he left behind to unpack in their first home!). Alex is an avid motor bike rider/tourer and wine taster and works for a wine company, can't recall what his role is, but it's not tasting and touring. He kept saying the trip wasn't a work one, or a tax deduction, but I couldn't quite understand how he gets to do so much travel and still "work", even as a digital nomad. There was Sandro from São Paulo, the only other solo traveller, I think 3 younger guys travelling (biking together) and a couple from California, Canada, Germany and I forget where else. The meal was incredible, cooked by Miguel the owner. We started with a lightly sparkling rosé (I expect from the Vinho Verde region because of the very tiny bubbles) in one room, then moved to the darkened dining area and sat around a large heavy wooden rectangle table. We had a vegetable soup starter, a huge piece of cod on delicious baked potatoes, a passionfruit dessert and bread with olives and their own olive oil and as much red wine as we wanted to consume. Miguel describes every course. We then moved back to the first room and Miguel pours port from his own vineyard, I honestly can't remember what year. I think it was more than a 10 year old "Tony" (this is how I am hearing "Tawny" and at first I was wondering "who the hell is Tony!!) but I have one sip and I'm out. I could have finished it if I hadn't had so much already during the day!

In between lunch and dinner I booked a wine tour and tasting at Sandeman. This is a stand out name in the region. One of the oldest I think, now owned by Canadians, and they are located in a few countries, New Zealand rated a mention. In earlier correspondence between Eva and Miguel, it was supposed to be within walking distance. Miguel says it's too hot to walk so in 5 minutes I need to be ready and he would take me. I skull the port. Well we screamed down those windy streets in his car, narrow roads, braking, my motion sickness is reignited! He says if you want to walk back "we are in that village up there, ask here and they will tell you the path or ring". I do arrive in one piece obviously. I meet a lovely couple from Holland who walked up from the train station, one hour. Note to self, I could walk back down on Saturday, get some exercise in and get amongst the vines. We have a brief tour and then the tasting. I wasn't sure what I'd booked, but it was 5 tastings, starting with a 3 year old white, then onto another 3 year old, and then up to 10 years. They are all easily drinkable and sound even more delicious with the food pairing ideas given. The couple from Holland find me on the other side of the room, as they only had 3 tastings. They leave and so do I. The first exit was a failure as I was in a back corridor and tried to use a lift which went to three other floors and they were deserted. I go back downstairs and find the correct exit. I ask the tour guide about the path up to Casa Cimeira and he says there isn't one. I insist Miguel told me there was. So he says "I guess if you find a path you take it!" With stupid confidence I go up, up, up and then the path runs out. I load maps.me, there is supposed to be a path. I have 15% phone battery left and Sandeman closes at 6.30pm and it's around 5.45pm. I can see the next path but have no clue how to get to it. I decide to abort and turn around and then wonder what is the path back! I can see the building but I end up in thick weeds and know this is not the right path. If all else fails I'll need to commando under the vines to get down the hill. I had decided to wear a dress and ditch the walking clothes and backpack for the weekend, this could be interesting. Breathe!! After the third attempt I get on a path that takes me back and declare "you were right!" to the tour guide. He calls me a taxi, it's also €15 even though I'm a fair way from Pinhão, where I was earlier in the day. That's enough of an adventure for one day.

The Valley is stunning and unique.

[simply-ivanka]

What the Choice of Tim Walz Says About Kamala Harris

In her first presidential-level decision, the Vice President bends to progressive pressure.

Donald Trump did Democrats a favor by choosing a running mate who reinforced his base rather than reaching out to swing voters. Kamala Harris has now returned the favor in selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the progressive favorite, as her pick for Vice President.

The choice that scared Republicans was popular Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, a swing state crucial to an Electoral College victory. But Mr. Shapiro, who is Jewish, was the target of an extraordinary and nasty campaign against him by the Democratic left. He was too pro-Israel and had upset unions by showing rhetorical support for school vouchers.

Ms. Harris appears to have wilted under this pressure, perhaps fearing protests at the Democratic convention in Chicago this month. She went with Mr. Walz instead, and there goes Mr. Trump’s hope of flipping the decisive swing state of Minnesota. That’s a joke, since the Land of 10,000 Liberals has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1976.

Mr. Walz’s progressive bona fides will please Sen. Bernie Sanders and the teachers unions. But his governing record will be fodder for Mr. Trump. And picking him is a bad omen about the ability, or even willingness, of Ms. Harris to defy her party’s left.

***

Mr. Walz, age 60, has a plain-spoken personality and an appealing Midwestern background. He joined the Army National Guard at 17, graduated from a state college, and became a high-school teacher and football coach. He was elected to Congress in 2006 from a rural district, and one selling point to Ms. Harris is that he might appeal to Trump voters.

But as Governor since 2019 Mr. Walz has moved Minnesota sharply to the left. He still wears a baseball cap and work jacket, but since Democrats gained control of the entire Legislature in 2023, he’s governed more like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, including:

• Increasing taxes, though Minnesota already has the fifth-highest top income-tax rate among the states, 9.85% at $193,000 of earnings for a single filer. Mr. Walz added a 1% surtax on net investment income above $1 million, while reducing deductions, and the Governor wanted more.

Minnesota is a rare state that still levies a death tax, up to 16%, on top of the federal 40% rate, which is one reason the state is losing taxpayers to better climes.

• Making an estimated 81,000 illegal immigrants in the state eligible for driver’s licenses, along with health insurance through the MinnesotaCare public marketplace.

• Funding “the North Star Promise Program, which provides free college for students with a family income under $80,000,” including illegal immigrants.

• Creating a state system for paid family and medical leave, capped at a combined 20 weeks a year and funded by a 0.88% payroll tax.

• Mandating that public utilities generate 80% carbon-free electricity by 2030, ramping up to 100% by 2040. He’s a fervent believer in “climate action.”

• Subsidizing electric vehicles by “requiring EV charging infrastructure within or adjacent to new commercial and multi-family buildings,” as the Governor’s office bragged.

• Passing one of the nation’s most permissive abortion statutes that has essentially no limits and no age consideration for minors.

• Declaring Minnesota to be a “trans refuge,” with a law saying that the state will ignore a “court order for the removal of a child issued in another state because the child’s parent or guardian assisted the child in receiving gender-affirming care in this state.”

• Establishing automatic voter registration and letting Minnesotans sign up for a permanent absentee ballot option.

No wonder Mr. Sanders is a fan. Yet now the vetting will begin in earnest. Mr. Walz’s response to the 2020 riots, after George Floyd’s killing, will be scrutinized in particular, as poor areas in Minneapolis burned and many business owners lost everything.

Did he hesitate to send in troops? Why is Minnesota losing residents to other states? Republicans are circulating remarks by Mr. Walz acknowledging what he calls his white privilege and urging his party: “Don’t ever shy away from our progressive values. One person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness.”

***

Despite her four years as Vice President, Ms. Harris is largely unknown to most voters. Democrats want to keep it that way, hoping she can dodge media interviews and ride a gauzy theme about “the future” in a campaign sprint of a mere 100 days.

But her choice of a running mate is her first presidential-level decision, and it confirms the views she expressed in 2019 when she ran for the White House as a left-wing Democrat. Choosing Mr. Walz suggests that the real Kamala Harris is the one who wants Medicare for All and to eliminate cash bail. Voters who don’t like Mr. Trump might decide he’s still better than signing up for that.

Appeared in the August 7, 2024, print edition as 'Kamala Harris’s Revealing VP Choice'.