California ‒ Latest State to Provide SALT Relief via Pass-Through Entity Tax
By Alan S. Kufeld, CPA, Partner and Steven J. Eller, JD, CPA, Partner
California joined the growing list of states by recently enacting a pass-through entity (PTE) tax effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021 and ending before January 1, 2026, unless repealed sooner. The law allows electing qualifying entities to pay and deduct state income tax at the entity level thereby circumventing the individual $10,000 State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction limitation imposed by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Eligibility
A qualified PTE is eligible to make the election as long as:
- It is a partnership or an S-Corporation;
- Its owners consist solely of individuals, fiduciaries, trusts, estates, or entities taxable as corporations, and
- It is not permitted or required to be included in a California combined group report.
Qualified entities do not include publicly traded or tiered partnerships and disregarded entities.
Annual Election
The election, which is irrevocable, is made with the timely filing of the original tax return, including extensions, as long as estimated taxes were paid. However, unlike other states, PTE owners can elect out of this tax without affecting other owners.
Tax Rate
The tax rate is a flat 9.3% of the PTE’s qualified net income which includes a resident owner’s share of the qualified entity’s net income from all sources and the total of the nonresident owners’ share of the qualified entity’s net income.
Estimated Tax Payments
For tax years beginning January 1, 2021, the first year of the election, no estimated tax payments are required, but the total amount of the tax due must be paid by the filing deadline of the return, without regard to any extensions. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, electing PTEs must make an estimated tax payment equal to the greater of (a) 50% of elective tax paid in the prior taxable year, or (b) $1,000 by June 15th of the taxable year of the election. Failure to make the estimated payment by the June 15th deadline will disqualify a PTE from making the election for that taxable year.
Nonrefundable Tax Credit
A qualified PTE owner may claim a full nonrefundable credit for the amount of tax paid on the owner’s distributive share of the PTE’s qualified net income. A credit that exceeds a qualified owner’s actual tax liability can be carried forward for up to five years.
Will California Allow a Credit for Other States’ PTE Tax?
Unlike other states, California’s law does not explicitly provide for a tax credit for other states’ PTE tax.
Observations
As with other states that have recently enacted a PTE tax, there are several unanswered questions. One such question is whether a general partnership is eligible to make this election. While the California Franchise Tax Board is expressly authorized to provide regulations, it will take some time before they are issued.
Contact Us
For questions concerning the California PTE tax or if you have state tax questions generally, contact a member of your client service team or the following:
Alan S. Kufeld, CPA
Partner
akufeld@pkfod.com | 646.449.6319
Steven J. Eller, JD, CPA
Partner, Co-Head of State and Local Tax
seller@pkfod.com | 551.249.1836