FTB 15-Day Rule, Prop 19 to Save $800 min. tax
Dec 01, 2020
NOELLE MINTO, ESQ.Get a jump start on forming new entities and/or transferring properties before year-end to avoid the minimum $800 Franchise Tax Board for the tax year. This coupled with Prop 19’s adoption effective February 15, 2021, makes this the perfect time of year to form and fund your new LLCs or other business entities.
Tax Year of 15-Day or Less
A corporation that files within the last 15 days of the year, and does not engage in any business during those 15 days, would not need to pay the $800 minimum tax the following year.
For example, Acme, Inc. files its Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State on December 18, 2020. The corporation does not engage in any business activity between December 17 and December 31, 2020.
Looking to get a head start with your California corporation or LLC and avoid potential filing backlogs right after the New Year? Consider incorporating or forming an LLC between December 17 and December 31.
California’s 15-day rule allows you to incorporate or form an LLC during the last 15 days of the year and avoid filing tax returns for 2020.
California Corporations
Pursuant to California Franchise Tax Board Publication 1060, corporations with a tax year of 15 days or less will not need file a tax return as long they do not conduct any business during those days:
CA Prop 19 New Tax Changes
With the passage of CA Prop 19 this year, certain and significant changes to estate planning considerations and strategies came along with it. Most notably, the ability to transfer intergenerational property at low assessed values (i.e., the assessed value at the original time of purchase) to avoid property tax reassessments to current values has been eliminated, except for very narrow exceptions. These changes are set to take effect on February 15, 2021.
By forming a corporate entity very specifically, families may be able to avoid transfer limitations and tax reassessments to preserve the ability for future generations to continue holding these assets, particularly for income-generating properties.
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We highly recommend NM Law for your estate planning needs.
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