UPDATE: Local tax overhaul added to bill allowing casino changes
Local economic agreements between the state’s casinos and local communities would be scrapped and the admissions tax that provides revenue to local governments eliminated.
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Senate panel backs bill dealing with big-box store values
The Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee unanimously supported a bill requiring certain special-purpose properties to be assessed based on the cost of construction for the first seven years.
Big-ticket item cut from Pence’s tax-simplification plan
The proposal to extend a sales-tax exemption to equipment purchases by manufacturers was expected to cost Indiana as much as $240 million per year in tax revenue.
Pork purveyor to build $43.5M facility, hire 260
John Morrell Food Group, one of the oldest meat manufacturing firms in the nation, plans to build and equip a massive refrigerated distribution center just east of Indianapolis.
Legislation tackles big-box retail valuation issue
The bill comes as assessors around the state worry that recent Indiana Board of Tax Review decisions in favor of Meijer and Kohl’s will force them to slash the value of big-box stores during the upcoming spring assessment cycle.
House backs off Pence plan to cut higher ed tax credit
The Indiana House is dropping one unpopular part of Gov. Mike Pence’s proposed tax overhaul – and another key section that would help some businesses is in jeopardy.
Tax ‘simplification’ bill raises numerous questions
Indiana lawmakers are considering legislation that would eliminate $21 million in annual tax cuts for businesses and individuals, bolster a break for the working poor, and expand a sales tax exemption for businesses.
Legislators look at cutting college tax credit, other breaks
One of the 29 tax breaks targeted for elimination allows up to a $200 credit for contributions to Indiana universities or colleges.
More Indiana audits planned with local government fees boost
The state auditing agency would hire about 100 more field examiners to review spending by local governments and school districts under a plan being considered by Indiana lawmakers.
Transit advocates push to increase state funding
A fund for public transportation could be debated before the House Ways and Means Committee after Rep. Randy Truitt filed a bill that would provide about $20 million more per year than Gov. Mike Pence proposed.
Bill seeks to limit referendums to general elections
Lawmakers raised questions and community leaders testified against a bill that would require that referendums for school and government construction projects occur only during general elections every other year.
IRS cuts taxpayer services as filing returns gets harder
The Internal Revenue Service is reducing taxpayer services to historically low levels just as President Barack Obama's health law will make filing a federal tax return more complicated for millions of families.
Proposal would add e-cigarette restrictions, taxes
Indiana would require stores to have a license to sell electronic cigarettes and would tax the battery-powered devices like traditional tobacco products under a bill a state lawmaker said he'll sponsor.
Indiana legislators eye school funding revamp
Indiana lawmakers could face a prickly debate as they aim to tighten up funding differences between the state's school districts during the General Assembly session that starts Tuesday.
Electric utilities battle over annexing territories
Municipal-owned utilities are trying to fend off an attack on a state law that allows them to expand their territories through annexation. Rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities say they’re losing big customers.
Congress votes to extend tax breaks through 2014
Banks, retailers, commuters and teachers will keep their temporary tax breaks for another year after Congress gave final approval Tuesday to a massive tax package affecting millions of businesses and individuals.
Pence says he wants to cut taxes ‘even further’
Gov. Mike Pence is telling his campaign donors that he plans on "cutting taxes even further" during Indiana's upcoming legislative session.
State’s monthly revenue rises, but misses projections
Revenue figures for November released Friday show that Indiana’s general fund brought in slightly more than $1 billion in November.
State examiner wants higher Indiana audit fees
State Examiner Paul Joyce is pressing Indiana lawmakers to increase the daily fee for state audits, warning that his office needs more staffing to properly scout local government entities for fraud.
Ohio high court to hear ‘jock tax’ case brought by ex-Colt
In a case involving retired Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, the Ohio Supreme Court says it will hear arguments for and against Cleveland's so-called "jock tax" early next year.