Economy and Taxes Publications

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Brief

The 2023-24 Budget: California's Film Tax Credit

February 28, 2023 - This brief surveys research on the economic effects of state film tax credits and analyzes the Governor's proposal to extend California's film tax credit for five years.

Post

Effect of Returning to Historical Estimated Tax Payment Schedule

February 27, 2023 - Returning personal and corporate income tax estimated payment amounts to four equal payments, beginning in tax year 2024, would shift about 8 percent of personal income tax estimated payments and 13 percent of corporation estimated payments from 2023‑24 to 2024‑25. Returning to the historical payment schedule would have little net effect on revenue in 2024‑25. Specifically, while the change would shift roughly $5 billion from 2023‑24 to 2024‑25, the change also would have the effect of shifting a similar amount from 2024‑25 to 2025‑26. As a result, the net impact on 2024‑25 and later years would minimal.

Handout

Overview of Gasoline Prices and Key Considerations for the Special Session

February 22, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications

Handout

Tax Expenditure Evaluation

February 22, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation

Report

The 2023-24 Budget: Considering Inflation's Effects on State Programs

November 16, 2022 - This brief takes a case study approach to examine how elevated inflation has already impacted—and could continue to impact—state spending programs.

Handout

2022 Update on the California Earned Income Tax Credit

October 3, 2022 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation

Report

Improving California’s Unemployment Insurance Program

August 8, 2022 - California's Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides wage replacement to unemployed workers. The program has faltered during recent downturns, causing hardship for workers and their families, holding back the state's economic recovery, and spurring frustration among Californians with their government. Recent failures trace back to the UI program's basic design, which results in more emphasis being placed on limiting fraud and business costs than making sure eligible workers get benefits quickly and easily. Although this emphasis is not new, the pandemic has highlighted the need to rebalance the UI program. We recommend about a dozen targeted changes to state practices to place a greater priority on getting payments to eligible unemployed workers.

Handout

Proposition 31: Referendum on 2020 Law That Would Prohibit the Retail Sale of Certain Flavored Tobacco Products

August 2, 2022 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Health Assembly Committee on Health

Post

Annual Report on Tax Exemptions for Medicinal Cannabis

June 24, 2022 - Chapter 837 of 2019 (SB 34, Wiener) established new tax exemptions for donations of medicinal cannabis. The law directs our office to submit an annual report containing data on three outcomes related to the exemptions: the number of medicinal cannabis patients served, the amount of medicinal cannabis products donated, and the amount of tax revenue lost. This report fulfills that statutory requirement for 2021.

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The 2022-23 Budget: Fuel Price and Other Fiscal Relief Options

May 12, 2022 - In response to increasing prices across the economy—particularly fuel prices—the Legislature is contemplating a number of policies for providing fiscal relief to Californians. In this post, we identify key questions for the Legislature to consider when analyzing the merits of the options proposed by the Governor and in designing its own relief package.

Handout

An Overview of the State Small Business Credit Initiative

March 29, 2022 - Presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy.

Handout

The Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the State Board of Equalization, and the Office of Tax Appeals

March 22, 2022 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration

Handout

California’s Cannabis Taxes

March 1, 2022 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 On State Administration

Handout

California’s Cannabis Taxes

February 22, 2022 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government

Report

The 2022-23 Budget: Supply Chain and Port Infrastructure Proposals

February 15, 2022 - This brief provides our initial assessment and recommendations in response to the Governor’s supply chain and port infrastructure package.

Economy and Taxes Staff
Chas Alamo
(916) 319-8357
Personal Income Tax, Employment, and Labor Law
 
Ross Brown
(916) 319-8345
Property Taxes, Bonds, and the Economy
 
Ann Hollingshead
(916) 319-8305
State Budget and Federal Funding
 
Lourdes Morales
(916) 319-8320
Local Government, Housing, and Homelessness
 
Nick Schroeder
(916) 319-8314
Public Employment, CalPERS, and Elections
 
Angela Short
(916) 319-8309
Teachers' Retirement Policy/ Child Welfare/ Community Care Licensing
 
Brian Uhler
(916) 319-8328
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Economy, Taxes, and Labor
 
Seth Kerstein
(916) 319-8365
Sales and Excise Taxes and Demographics