Chesterfield Borough Council’s Post

Get Things Done in 3 Easy Steps with Easy As 1, 2, 3! The “Easy As 1, 2, 3” feature on the City of Appleton's website makes accessing services quick and simple: 1️⃣Select your task – Pay, register, apply, file, find, request, or view. 💡Example: Need to pay your property taxes or water bill? Select “Pay.” 2️⃣Choose the service – Find the Property Taxes or Water Bill option in seconds. 3️⃣Pay Now – Complete your payment securely and move on with your day. 💻Visit www.appletonwi.gov and simplify your city service experience today! ▶️Go directly to appletonwi.gov/pay to access the Payment Center and make your payment with ease. 💧Want to track your water usage? Visit appletonwi.gov/aquahawk to learn more.

There will be a Public Hearing at the City Council Meeting on May 28 for the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Operating and Capital Budget. City Council is considering a $319.9 million proposed budget for FY 2025. The proposed budget includes a $.05 ad valorem tax increase dedicated entirely to addressing public safety personnel who keep our community safe and secure. It also includes a $0.111 ad valorem tax rate increase for the Downtown Municipal Service District intended to support and continue existing services in Downtown Fayetteville, making the district sustainable. Review the recommended budget to find out how we will use funding to keep our city thriving. To sign up to speak at the Public Hearing, you must sign up by 5:00 p.m. on May 28 with the city clerk. ➡️ Review the Recommended Budget: FayettevilleNC.gov/Budget 🗣 Sign up to Speak at the public hearing: https://lnkd.in/gy8cpNHY

🚨 Important Update from the Tucson Metro Chamber! 🚨 Earlier last week, we announced our stance on Prop 414, the “Safe and Vibrant City” sales tax proposal. While the goals—supporting public safety and housing—are important, the Chamber believes there’s a better way to achieve them without increasing everyday costs for residents and businesses or weakening our region’s economic competitiveness. Here’s why we’re urging Tucson residents to vote NO: ➡️ It would raise Tucson’s sales tax to 9.2%, the highest among similar Arizona cities. ➡️ The funding is spread too thin across too many priorities, reducing its impact. ➡️ Similar communities facing revenue declines are exploring alternatives, such as auditing budgets for inefficiencies and delaying nonessential projects, without compromising service levels. Tucson can do the same. ➡️ Its development lacked sufficient community stakeholder input. Let’s work toward a solution that doesn’t place an unnecessary financial burden on residents and businesses. 💬 Want to know more? Read the full press release here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ghtyemAM 🗳️ Don’t forget: This is a mail-in election, so mail your ballot by March 5 or drop it off by March 11.

In a surprising twist, Loveland residents might be rethinking their earlier decision to eliminate sales tax on groceries, just months after the vote. With budget shortfalls looming, the community faces a tough question: to recharge city finances, should a new sales tax be introduced? The journey from vote to budget dilemma underscores the complexities of local economics. Dive into the full story here: https://okt.to/lTF0bL

Council cutbacks - are they spending wisely? I know it must be tough running a council when your budget keeps going down but you don't have to look far to wonder if they are spending wisely! We see all over the Country cuts from Councils, services going downhill, potholes getting bigger, swimming pool closures, bin collections becoming less frequent, public toilets closing, firework displays stopping - the list goes on! But then you see some ridiculous things too where money is spent on promotions/events/marketing campaigns that just seem irrelevant. Council Tax seems to be the way they are clawing money back but are you getting value for money? There's also a grey area of what is paid for by the local Councils vs other departments.

Have you ever wondered where the revenue from state sales tax collections goes? San Antonio residents are about to find out as the city proposes budget cuts of millions of dollars due to declining revenues and increasing expenses. Sales tax collections play a vital role in funding the state, but a decrease in spending by residents and visitors, driven by concerns about a potential recession, is causing a strain. The impact of these cuts could affect essential services like parks, libraries, and public safety. It's crucial to understand that sales tax is a significant source of funding for state projects, prompting state departments to be assertive in their collections. At Sales Tax Defense, we prioritize protecting our clients and ensuring they don't overpay. If you need assistance defending your business and navigating sales tax challenges, we're here to help. #SalesTax #BudgetCuts #StateRevenue #BusinessProtection https://lnkd.in/ePBEpKxq

There are 49 ABLE plans available across the country. Look at the state where you live first because there may be tax credits or deductions if you select your state’s ABLE plan. A person may have one ABLE account. Our Decision Guide, “Selecting and Opening an ABLE Account,” will help you to make your choice!  Check it out at https://lnkd.in/e7HAFmNk. Image description: Square green graphic with white text reading: How can I compare ABLE plan costs and features? Visit ABLENRC.org and click on the Save tab. Search by ABLE Program Features starting with your home state. Download a file of all state plans to find the one that is the best fit for you. The ABLE NRC logo is in the top right corner of the graphic. In the bottom right corner is an icon of two documents and a magnifying glass.

Have you heard about the Augusta Rule? It’s a neat tax trick that lets homeowners rent out their personal residence for up to 14 days per year—tax-free! However, this is one where you need to dot your 'i's and cross your 't's. The idea is tempting: rent your home to your business for meetings and collect income without the tax tag. Sounds great, right? Well, it can be, but it's crucial to stick to the rules to avoid a tax time headache. Let's dive into how you can make this work smartly and safely. Firstly, ensure the rental rate you charge is on par with local norms. You wouldn't charge Four Seasons rates at a family bed-and-breakfast, would you? The IRS expects the same logic. In the case of Sinopoli v. Commissioner, a family learned this the hard way, with the IRS slashing their $290,000 claim down to just $10,500 because their rates were too high! Here are some pro tips: ✅ More Than Family: Make sure the meetings aren’t just you or your family members. You need to show these are legit business gatherings. ✅ No Home Office Conflicts: If you’re claiming a home office on your taxes, keep those 14 rental days separate. Overlap could complicate things. ✅ Document Everything: Keep records of who attended, the agenda, and comparable rental rates from local venues like hotels or event spaces. ✅ Issue a 1099: If you’re playing landlord, your business should issue a 1099-Misc for the rental to you personally. Done right, the Augusta Rule can indeed be a smart way to save on taxes while making use of your home for business. Just ensure you follow the right steps to keep your tax strategy solid and substantiated. Want to get our Augusta Tax Strategy Guide for FREE? Drop a comment below and we'll it over to you. 📊📈 #CPA #TaxTips #AugustaRule #SmallBusiness #TaxStrategy

A little follow-up to my last post about being creative with adaptive reuse of commercial (much of it office) space. The effect isn't just being felt by property owners... it's trickling down to the local municipalities in the form of missed sales tax and lower property tax revenues. Property owners, businesses, and local governments have to think towards the future and work together to proactively solve this issue. The good news is when that happens, we all win. #localgovernment #economicdevelopment #adaptivereuse #commercialrealestate #cre

Property taxes are set to increase by $99 in 2025, raising critical questions about community budgets and financial planning. https://buff.ly/3ZrEPL3