The Florida Estate Planning and Probate Law Blog is focused on recent federal and state case law and planning ideas.

2019 INCREASE IN CHARITABLE GIVING

Americans gave nearly $450 billion to charity last year, which is one of the highest amounts ever recorded. This number comes as lawmakers have been looking for ways to expand tax breaks for donors amid the coronavirus pandemic. Charitable donations rose 2.4 percent in 2019 according to an annual survey by Giving USA. Individual giving accounted for about 69% of all donations, but the biggest jump came from the generosity of corporations. In 2019, businesses gave about $21 million, an increase of 11.4% from 2018. Also, giving by foundations reached a record high of $75.7 billion. "In March,...

2020 RHODE ISLAND SALES TAX ON COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND STREAMING ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES

On June 24, 2020, the Governor of Rhode Island signed into law S2650 Substitute A, which expands the state’s sales tax base to computer software and specified digital products (streaming entertainment services), including digital audio-visual works, digital audio works, and digital books. The law also clarifies the definition of the “end-user” of a digital product in order to comply with the Streamlined Sales & Use Tax Agreement. The act is immediately effective. The law is designed to avoid sanctions by a state compact working toward sales tax harmonization. The tax is only on sales to...