State and Local

The Presumption of Correctness
A pesky problem in state tax law

A common question tax directors ask when considering whether to litigate a state tax case is, What is the likelihood we will win? It’s an obvious question to ask, but an impossible one to answer. In our own experience, we have won cases we’d thought were stacked against us and… Read more »

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Demystifying the Settlement of California Tax Controversies
Perhaps the most unique—and surprising—aspect of the California administrative settlement process is the designated agency settlement bureau structure

California is a state of overflowing abundance. From technology to entertainment to produce, the state has it all and then some. So when it comes to tax agencies, why would California stop at one? Most states have a single department of revenue, finance, or taxation, but California has five tax… Read more »

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You’ve Been Served: Defending Against a State Tax Class Action
Are you prepared for this rising threat to your business?

An email comes from the general counsel: your company has been sued by a customer who alleges that the company systematically overcharges sales tax.1 The complaint—the legal document that starts the lawsuit—contains multiple counts for various violations of state statutes and common law doctrines and demands damages, attorney’s fees, and… Read more »

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Disrupting the Norm: Using Technology to Reinvent State Tax Compliance
It’s time to free up capacity and deal with remote work

In the current business environment, the only constant in the face of major economic and societal shifts is dynamic change. As companies forge ahead, their tax departments increasingly lead the way in sustainably transforming their business models and their digital and strategic footprints. Tax leaders are remaking their technology infrastructures… Read more »

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Why Unclaimed Property Risk Management Is on the Menu in 2022
For certain states, unclaimed property represents a significant revenue source 

Every state has adopted an unclaimed property (or escheat) law, which generally provides that a holder of unclaimed property must escheat the property to the state after it has remained unclaimed by its owner for a certain period (usually three or five years). The unclaimed property is the legal obligation… Read more »

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The Pandemic’s Effect on Sales Tax Post-Wayfair
Expect even more uncertainty going forward

The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought disruption and change in practically every area in which we operate, and its effects on the sales tax environment are no different. What is particularly interesting about the operation of the sales tax is that states and businesses are still grappling with the groundbreaking developments… Read more »

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A Major Development in Corporate Income Tax
What’s New Hampshire v. Massachusetts got to do with it?

The pandemic has caused drastic shifts in employment and business arrangements. Major tax implications have surfaced, and taxpayers have been eager for state guidance or federal legislation to address pandemic-related issues. But with limited state guidance, and with federal legislation completely stalled, one development has become the focus of our… Read more »

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Top State Tax Policies You Can Expect to Deal With in 2021
Fiscal fallout from the pandemic takes hold

When states began their 2021 fiscal year budget processes in early 2020, just about every state anticipated revenue growth consistent with what it had seen in recent years. Most states had robust rainy-day funds, and some were looking at options to lower taxes. As we fast-forward to early 2021, few… Read more »

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The Year That Left Us SALT-y: Key State and Local Tax Developments in 2020
Yeah, there’s the ripple effect from 𝘞𝘢𝘺𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 and, that’s right, a pandemic

This year has been unusually eventful for just about everyone, not least of all payers of state and local tax. In this article, we provide highlights of some of the most important SALT developments of 2020, including: The Pandemic Playbook: key COVID-19 developments, including the CARES Act, tax issues created… Read more »

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Deftly Navigating an MTC Audit: Considerations for Taxpayers
Check out this stat: In the last three years, the MTC Audit Program has recommended state tax assessments in excess of $45 million annually

As recently recognized by Tax Analysts, the Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) has been gaining in prominence and, arguably, effectiveness.1 One of the MTC’s several activities is to administer audits on behalf of states. The MTC’s Joint Audit Program (Audit Program) is authorized by the Multistate Tax Compact and was initiated… Read more »

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