On 26 August 2009 Connecticut’s governor offered a new budget plan that decreases the sales tax rate from its current rate of 6 percent to 5.5 percent. In a compromise for this decrease in the sales tax rate, the State’s income tax on millionaires would be raised, generating a proposed $1 billion over two years.  The proposed sales tax decrease would take effect 1 October 2009, and the income tax change is retroactive from 1 January 2009.

The California State Board of Equalization (SBE) and Employment Development Department (EDD) announced a plan to give emergency tax relief to business and citizens in Santa Cruz County due to the August 2009 fire.  The SBE will permit a one month extension to file sales and use taxes without any additional fees. More details can be found at http://www.boe.ca.gov/news/2009/70-09-Y.pdf

On 21 August 2009 Bill Leonard, Member of the State Board of Equalization (SBE), announced extensions for filling, audits, billing, notices, and assessments to give emergency tax relief to businesses and citizens in Yuma County due to the August 2009 fire.  The SBE will permit a one month extension to file sales and use taxes without any additional fees.

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that a private jail facility’s purchases, such as meals and clothing for inmates, are subject to sales tax because the municipalities sending the inmates to jail are not eligible for a tax exemption.

A potential expansion of the states’ sales and use taxes are being analyzed by the Utah Tax Review Commission. A commission-sanctioned task force, which conducted a study to assess whether Utah’s current tax structure should be more closely aligned with the current economy, has recommended that a tax be applied to anything purchased or consumed, including services.

The governor of North Carolina is currently reviewing HB 148/SB 151, which calls for a half-cent local sales tax increase if passed.  Voters in Forsyth, Guilford, Wake, Durham, and Orange counties would be allowed to vote on the increase.

The sales tax referendum to increase the current 5.6% state sales tax rate in Arizona by 1% over the next three years was narrowly defeated on 13 August 2009. The referendum did not garner the required 16 votes to pass the Arizona Senate and make it onto the ballot.

Maine residents will vote in November whether or not to adopt a state version of “Cash for Clunkers,” providing permanent incentives for residents to buy new, more energy efficient vehicles.  They are deciding whether to cut the rate of the municipal excise tax on motor vehicles to promote this issue.

The West Feliciana Police Jury will include a proposal for a one cent sales tax on the 14 November 2009 ballot for the second time. The revenue generated from the sales tax would be used to acquire, upgrade and maintain roads and bridges, drainage, sewer, water and sanitation facilities.

North Carolina’s Governor has signed budget bill (SB 202) into law containing several tax law changes, including a 1% increase to the state sales and use tax rate effective 1 September 2009 to 1 October 2009, and an additional increase of 0.25% effective 1 October 2009 for a total rate of 5.75%.  Also included is the “Amazon Law,” requiring the collection of sales tax on sales to in-state purchases depending on the affiliates nexus connection, as well as expanding the tax base on digital property.