Here’s the summer 2020 issue of Tax Update — our newsletter for the business community. This edition features articles about new tax laws, Return to Work bonuses for employees, cash grants for small businesses, updated withholding tables, guidelines for visiting our offices, online classes, and more!
Help your employees get Return to Work bonuses
We’re now accepting applications for Return to Work bonuses of up to $1,500 for your eligible employees affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Your employees can’t apply for the bonuses themselves – that’s up to you. See who qualifies and get more details at rebound.idaho.gov.
New tax laws — What you need to know
The 2020 Idaho Legislature passed tax laws affecting first-time home buyers, custom meat processing, new data centers, and more. Below are some highlights. For more details about the legislation, see the Legislature’s website.
Income tax
Idaho conforms to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) for 2019
Idaho conforms to the IRC for tax year 2019.
House Bill 380 – Effective January 1, 2020
Income tax credit provided for employer contributions to college savings accounts
Employers can get a tax credit for contributing to an employee’s IDeal — Idaho 529 College Savings Program account. The credit is 20% of the employer’s total contribution up to a maximum of $500 per employee each year.
House Bill 550 – Effective January 1, 2020
Tax deduction allowed for first-time home buyers
First-time home buyers who establish a First-time Home Buyer Savings Account can deduct their account contributions and interest earned from Idaho taxable income. Individuals can deduct up to $15,000 each year. Married couples filing a joint tax return can deduct up to $30,000 yearly.
House Bill 589 – Effective January 1, 2020
Sales tax
Exemption for custom meat processing
Custom meat processing and packing services are exempt from sales and use tax when the consumer provides the animal and the meat won’t be resold.
House Bill 496 – Effective July 1, 2020
Exemption for certain aircraft sales
An aircraft sale is exempt from sales and use tax when the aircraft is used primarily for agricultural spraying, dusting, and seeding; livestock and predatory animal control; or forest and wildlife conservation.
House Bill 442 – Effective July 1, 2020
Exemption for new data centers
Purchases made to build new data centers and purchases of eligible server equipment are exempt from sales and use tax.
House Bill 521 – Effective July 1, 2020
Property tax
Veterans benefit expanded
Veterans who receive 100% compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) due to individual unemployability qualify for a benefit that reduces their property tax. That’s in addition to the veterans who qualify with a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA.
House Bill 552 – Effective January 1, 2020
Homeowner’s exemption deadline removed
A homeowner can apply for the homeowner’s exemption at any time throughout the calendar year, starting in 2021. The previous deadline was April 15.
House Bill 562 – Effective January 1, 2021
Resolution required to use forgone balances
Taxing districts that set budgets for less than the allowed 3% increase can use the difference – called a forgone balance – in a later year if they:
- Provide notice of their intent to do so and hold a public hearing about it.
- Adopt a resolution specifying the dollar amount of property taxes they’re reserving for future use.
House Bill 354 – Effective July 1, 2020
Property tax notices get additions
Property tax notices sent to taxpayers must include either the expiration date of any bond and voter-approved levy or a link to a website with that information.
House Bill 518a – Effective July 1, 2020
Withholding tables updated for 2020
We’ve updated the income tax withholding tables for 2020. You don’t need to adjust withholding back to the beginning of the year, but please use the revised tables going forward:
For more information about income tax withholding, see our Withholding web guide at tax.idaho.gov/wh.
Free tax webinars for small businesses
Want to learn more about taxes for your small business? Take one of our free webinars and attend from the comfort of your home or office. The classes include:
- Tax and Business Basics 101 for Small Business (August 26)
- Tax and Business Basics 101 for Self-Employed (August 11 and September 9)
Visit our Eventbrite page to register and get more details.
Guidelines for visiting our customer-service counters
Our customer-service counters are open to the public in all our offices. We ask that visitors follow social distancing guidelines by staying 6 feet apart from each other and wearing a mask.
Go online to tax.idaho.gov/visit to find office locations and hours. All offices have a drop box for returns and payments.
Time for employees to review their Idaho W-4
Did your employees owe more tax than expected when they filed their state income tax return this year? Did they get a smaller-than-expected refund?
In either case, it’s a good time to remind employees about reviewing their paycheck withholding to make sure they have the right amount of income tax withheld from their pay. Updating their Idaho W-4 now will improve their tax situation for next year.
Workers should review their withholding at least once a year or when they experience changes in their lives like marriage, divorce, or having children.
Employees can find guidance and resources for updating their state and federal withholding at tax.idaho.gov/w4. We’ve updated the Idaho W-4 instructions to include withholding information for employees who are nonresident aliens.
Stay informed
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