the BIGGEST STATE TAX ISSUE companies face today

The first question a kid asks before starting to play a game that it has never played before is - what are the rules?

Seems like a simple question and one that should be easily answered.

Over the holidays, my family played games. We didn't have to ask about the rules for games we had played several times before, because the rules hadn't changed. For some of the games we hadn't played in a while, we needed to read the instructions to refresh our memory of the rules, but again, the rules hadn't changed. For games we had never played before, we had to ask - what are the rules? But once we learned them, we could play the game and even WIN the game.

Let me ask you this?

Do you know the state tax rules? Income tax rules? Sales tax rules?

Are the rules different depending on the state?

Once you know the rules for that state, do they ever change?

If you stop doing business in a state and then re-enter the state to do business in a later year, will the rules still be the same? Will you simply need a refresh or will you have to learn all new rules?

State taxes is like playing a game where the rules keep changing during the game. The rules don't stay the same year after year, and they may not even be clear when you start the game.

BIGGEST ISSUE

At this time of year, many firms will release reports on the top issues of 2023 and/or what they think the top issues of 2024 will be. However, I think the BIGGEST ISSUE is the lack of clarity and ability to rely on state tax statutes, regulations, court decisions and rulings. In other words, the BIGGEST ISSUE is simply the ability to know how much tax to pay, and how to avoid interest and penalties.

The 'greyness' or lack of clarity and certainty create confusion (and yes, opportunity), but in a world where companies simply need to walk before they run (i.e., comply), knowing the baseline can be the most important line.

Not only are there many 'grey issues' when it comes to multistate income tax and sales tax, there are many issues where there is simply 'discretionary authority.' Again this can be positive, but when a company needs to make decisions and take positions on tax returns, it can be frustrating. The lack of clarity and certainty creates risk and unintended consequences.

BRIGHT LINE TESTS

Bright line tests or straight forward thresholds for nexus, taxability, etc. are great in most cases. However, then the argument becomes about the bright line and how it is arbritary or should be changed. Bright line tests quickly create winners and losers.

Greyness or discretionary authority provides opportunities for each player to determine on their own if they are a winner or loser (atleast until the referee throws a flag).

PRIVATE LETTER RULINGS

When in doubt, file a private letter ruling. Get certainty. Correct??

Well, it's not that simple. An effective private letter ruling can provide certainty and help a company avoid additional tax, interest and penalties. An ineffective private letter ruling can be a waste of time. What do I mean?

Many taxpayers choose NOT to do a private letter ruling because of the following concerns:

• Taxpayers must disclose their identify before obtaining an answer from the state.

• Facts may not be accurate, or disputed later, making the answer invalid.

• Ruling may be revoked at any time.

• Timing of the proposed and prospective transaction with obtaining an answer from the state.

• Rulings are binding unless the facts are not accurate.

• Unsure as to how deep of an analysis of the law the corporation is required to provide.

• The length of time to obtain a ruling.

• Consequently, there is even uncertainty in the process of attempting to obtain certainty.

AMENDED RETURNS

Sometimes the best way to gain certainty is to simply pay the additional tax (or tax that you disagree with) and then file a refund claim (amended return) to challenge the state's position.

I don't love this option since the taxpayer has to pay the tax first, but it does eliminate risk and makes the state declare their position. However, if the state's position is contrary to the taxpayer's, then the taxpayer won't love this option. But this option does avoid interest and penalties.

TAKING THE POSITION QUIETLY

Some taxpayers may choose to simply do their own research, document their position, identify the appropriate levels of assurance and then take the position on the tax return and wait. Wait to see if the state ever comes calling (audits or sends a notice). If the state does send a notice or audits the taxpayer, then the taxpayer will have to challenge the state and make its case. If the taxpayer loses, then they may have to pay additional tax, interest and penalties. So this option can cost more.

CONCLUSION

Uncertainty is not going anywhere. The rules keep changing and will continue to change. Therefore, each company or taxpayer must make informed decisions, exercise good judgment, receive wise counsel and document their positions. Then they must decide and take appropriate action based on all of the facts and applicable authority. That appropriate action may be different in each situation, but the key is for taxpayers to do the analysis and make the best decision they can so they "know how much tax to pay and avoid interest and penalties."

"darkness is death"

Time change. Daylight savings time. Fall back. Spring ahead. However you describe it, most (if not all of us) changed our clocks recently. We either gained an hour or lost an hour (depending on how you look at it), but one thing I do know - I've lost daylight. So I'm not sure how this is "daylight savings" time. I don't like to complain, but I just do. So I'll just say that I really like sunlight and dislike darkness. As they said in a cartoon movie I can't remember the title of right now - "Darkness is Death."

Regardless of how you feel about changing your clocks or sunlight or darkness, one thing is certain, times continue to change. The way business is conducted continues to change. New technologies are created (whether that's good or bad; or will be used for good or bad is yet to be seen). And last but not least, state tax legislation continues to change; and court cases and rulings continue to be made which ultimately create certainty and uncertainty. Wait, what? What did you just say?

Yes, new legislation, court cases and rulings create just as much uncertainty as they do certainty.

Well, that's great.

Just as each company's facts and circumstances differ, state tax laws seem to have a life of their own when the answer isn't "black and white" (which is most of the time); or when each state's laws are different. This creates a world of grey (or some may say, "darkness"). This "darkness" is why I say every state tax question is a research question. (A research question that needs to be solved by a human (not A.I., AI or artificial intelligence, just saying)).

Darkness is debilitating. It's hard to drive in the dark without headlights. It's hard to walk in the dark without a flashlight. Darkness creates fear and uncertainty. Darkness creates unknown risks. Thus, light is needed to move forward with some level of assurance and confidence.

Darkness can also create unknown opportunities. You can't see them. This requires faith. A compass. A navigator. A roadmap.

"Darkness" in the state tax world surrounds several areas and questions companies continually ask:

• what states do I need to file tax returns in?

• is what I'm selling subject to sales tax?

• which entity in my affiliated group of companies is required to file the tax return?

• if I sell my interest in this partnership, to what states do I source the gain and have to pay tax?

• I'm selling services all across the United States. How do I source those sales to each state in the apportionment factor of my income tax returns?

• do I really have to get exemption certificates from my customers?

• do I have to register with a state for sales tax purposes to provide a vendor with that state's resale exemption certificate or can I use a multijurisdictional certificate?

• am I required to file combined income tax returns or does every entity file separately?

• should I make this election or that election?

• do I qualify for these tax credits?

• do I have to collect sales tax on my total gross receipts or can I deduct costs reimbursements or costs that I flow-through and pay to someone else?

• how do I know if we really meet the requirements to be protected from a state's income tax by P.L. 86-272?

• I didn't even know that state had a gross receipts tax.

• what is a franchise tax and why is the tax base so high?

• am I really selling SaaS and does the state tax it?

• should I make a state's pass-through entity tax election? How do i quantify or model the impact? Will it be beneficial for all partners and shareholders?

• should I file a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA) or simply start filing returns?

• should I request a Private Letter Ruling (PLR)?

• should I challenge (protest) this audit assessment or simply pay it and move on?

• when can I stop filing returns in a state?

• how do I dissolve or withdraw from a state?

• is registering with a state's Secretary of State's Office the same thing as registering with a state's Department of Revenue (taxation)?

• what sales tax compliance software should I use? Should I outsource the return prep to a third-party?

I could keep going, but I think you get the point. The darkness is everywhere.

Finding the light in the state tax world is not easy.

Unlike darkness in life where you can just flip the light switch and see, darkness in the state tax world takes research and analysis and judgment based on experience. And even then, the answer may not be clear (still dark or grey).

Consequently, I think the "light" is finding the right-fit state tax consultant that you trust and like working with. Someone with not only the technical knowledge and experience, but the ability to look at an issue from 2 feet and 50,000 feet. To be technical and practical. To look at the risk and provide judgment. To reduce risk. To recommend positions with the proper level of assurance. Knowledge. Judgment. Advocacy. That is the light in the proverbial darkness. The compass. The roadmap. The flashlight. The headlight.

I hope you find the light you need to move your company and clients forward.

If you are a state tax consultant, I hope you "shine brightly."

QUOTES

"The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge." - Thomas Berger

"The prize goes to the person who sees the future the quickest." - William Stiritz

"We are drowning in information and starved for knowledge." - John Naisbitt

knowing what questions to ask and how to move forward

Over 20 years ago I was introduced to Tony Robbins and his books. This week I started reading "Awaken The Giant Within" again. I actually started with the chapter entitled, "Questions Are The Answer." The idea or thought is that questions have the power to focus our attention and direct our path. Ask the wrong questions and you will go down the wrong path. Questions cause us to think about certain things (positive or negative) depending on the question. Questions not only cause us to drill down on a person, place, thing, etc. but questions also cause us to "delete" (as Tony says in the book) or not think about certain things or think about things in a certain way.

Tony says:

• "the difference between people is the difference in the questions they ask consistently."

• "Questions determine everything you do in life, from your abilities to your relationships to your income."

Quotes Tony put in the book:

• "Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question." - E.E. Cummings

• "Some men see things as they are, and say, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were, and say, 'Why not?'" - George Bernard Shaw

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN STATE TAX

After reading that chapter, and I got immersed in work this week, I often thought about the questions and answers I get in my work.

State tax consultants are faced with unique fact patterns and grey tax law which causes us to have to ask the right questions to get the right answer or conclusions. If you never ask the right question you may not uncover a significant fact that could change the conclusion. If you don't know where to look (research) you may never find the regulation, statute, court case or ruling that would alter the position your client or company was going to take.

Positions that a company makes are not just words on paper, they are real dollars. This is important and not just business. It's personal.

The positions a company takes (or doesn't take) have a financial impact on a company. The positions can determine whether a company has the funds to make investments or even keep operating. So understanding and identifying the facts that matter and the legal authority to stand on is not only part of the job, it is the job.

• Ask the Right Questions = Get the Right Answers

• Knowing what to ask, what facts are important, where to look, how to search, filtering through the trees to find the path or the one tree to climb - that's what I call experience and judgment.

• Never giving up, looking at every angle, gaining new perspectives, thinking outside the box - that's what I call advocacy.

I call all of the above "leverage."

This week I've been working on several projects with unique fact patterns and grey tax law (as I'm sure you have as well). Each one causing me to do all of the above. But what do you do when do all of the above and you still have questions?

That's when you have to reach conclusions with certain levels of assurance AND still provide your clients with recommended courses of action. Those recommended action steps should seek to reduce risk and uncertainty and/or take positions that have a level of assurance that supports taking the position.

Some potential courses of action may be:

• taking the position and filing amended returns (refund claims)

• requesting a Private Letter Ruling (PLR)

• filing a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA)

• documenting the file with a technical memorandum and taking the position

These complex positions and decisions can arise out of the basic areas of state taxation such as:

• whether a company has nexus (a taxable presence) in a state.

• determining whether a state imposes sales tax on what a company is selling.

• how to source a company's sales by state for both income tax and sales tax purposes.

• determining if a specific election to file a return in a certain way should be made.

• And many more......

I've been in the tax profession for 28 years and all of the complexity and never-ending change has been part of the intrigue AND pain. It can be positive and negative. The answers you give clients can be positive and negative.

• Risk management is not the fun part of the job.

• Getting clients refunds = fun.

• Telling a client they need to file historical tax returns and pay a lot of money = not fun.

• Winning an audit protest and saving the client thousands of dollars = fun.

• Telling a company to pay historical tax and interest (even if you reduce the number of tax years and eliminate penalties) = not fun.

So there are fun and not so fun parts of the job. There are easy and difficult conversations to be had. Thus, knowing what questions to ask AND then knowing how to move forward after you get the answers - that is the key. That is the "LEVERAGE."

STATE TAX KNOWLEDGE UPDATE (53 ITEMS) - AUGUST 3, 2018

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since July 3rd, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

Some of the items may be on the same state/issue/topic, but they are from different sources which may give you a broader perspective to help your company or client.

1. New Jersey Closes Loophole, Increases Multi-Millionaires Rate

2. Alabama Announces Guidance in Response to Wayfair Decision

3. Michigan Provides Further Guidance on Impact of Federal Act

4. Remote Sellers Will Have Wisconsin Tax Duties Beginning October 1

5. Indiana Updates Remote Seller Guidance

6. Indiana Explains Income Taxes on Overseas Earnings

7. Enacted Louisiana law addresses the timing of expiring corporate income tax provisions

8. California OTA Issues Updated Draft of Proposed Permanent Regulations on Administration and Procedures of Appeals and Petitions for Rehearing

9. Indiana DOR Bulletin Discusses Recently Enacted Legislation, Including State Impact of IRC Sec. 965 Repatriation Provisions, GILTI, and IRC Sec. 163(j)

10. Maine Revenue Services Explains Procedures for Filing and/or Amending Returns Given State’s Nonconformity to Recent Federal Tax Law Changes

11. Pennsylvania: Bulletin Reflects New Law Reversing DOR’s Previous Policy by Allowing for Depreciation of 100% Bonus Property

12. New Jersey: New Law Requires Amnesty Program with Potential Waiver of 100% Penalties and 50% Interest

13. Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board Holds that Taxpayer is a “Manufacturer” Required to Compute its Corporate Excise Tax Liability Using Single Sales Factor Apportionment

14. New Jersey: New Law Includes Mandatory Combined Reporting Regime, Market-Sourcing Provisions, CBT Surtax, and Responses to Some Provisions of the Federal 2017 Tax Act

15. New York: Appellate Court Affirms Tax Appeals Tribunal Ruling Addressing Bank’s Treatment of NOLs

16. Vermont: New Law Updates State Conformity to Internal Revenue Code; Responds to Some Provisions of the Federal 2017 Tax Act

17. Georgia DOR Explains Exclusion for Dividends from Sources Outside the US, Including Application of IRC Sec. 965 Provisions

18. North Carolina: New Law Modifies Sourcing Language for Receipts from Intangibles for Sales Factor Purposes

19. Oregon DOR Issues Administrative Rule on New State Repatriation Tax Credit Pursuant to IRC Sec. 965 Repatriation Income for Tax Year 2017

20. Connecticut Issues GILTI Guidance

21. North Carolina Changes Intangible Property Sourcing Rules

22. MTC Adopts Apportionment Regulation Amendments

23. Delaware Imposes Tax on Series LLCs

24. Utah Enacts Deferred Foreign Income Changes

25. Florida DOR Holds that Taxpayer May Include Certain Intercompany Sales with Foreign Affiliates in its Sales Factor

26. New Jersey Division of Taxation Explains Upcoming Amnesty Program with Potential Waiver of Penalties, Reduced Interest, and Non-Participation Penalties

27. Alaska: New Law Requires Public Utilities to Use MTC Three-Factor Apportionment Formula for Corporate Income Tax Purposes

28. Connecticut: New Guidance Issued on Treatment of GILTI for Corporation Business Tax Purposes

29. Minnesota DOR Discusses How 2017 Federal Tax Act May Affect Business Tax Returns for Tax Year 2018

30. Rhode Island DOT Comments on Some State Tax Impacts of the Federal 2017 Tax Act

31. Utah: New Law Clarifies Previously Enacted Legislation Involving IRC Sec. 965 Deferred Foreign Income, and Revises NOL Provisions

32. Rhode Island Adopts C Corp IRC Sec. 965 Regulations

33. California Taxpayer Cannot Force Retailer to Seek Sales Tax Refund

34. Minnesota Hosting SST Meeting to Discuss Wayfair

35. Maryland Issues Wayfair Guidance

36. Indiana Wayfair FAQ Page Talks Enforcement

37. SST Meets to Discuss Wayfair

38. Texas Provides Guidance on Wayfair Decision

39. Wayfair Decision Does Not Affect Rhode Island Remote Sellers

40. Minnesota Sets Remote Collection Date

41. Indiana Explains Impact of Wayfair

42. Nebraska Issues Guidance for Remote Sellers

43. Utah Enacts Economic Nexus Law

44. Alabama Explains Impact of Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

45. Michigan Issues Sales Tax Economic Nexus Guidelines

46. MTC Adopts Two Amended Model Rules Pursuant to Section 18 Alternative Apportionment Regulatory Project

47. Alabama DOR Issues Preliminary Guidance on Some State Impacts of the Federal 2017 Tax Act

48. Delaware: New Law Imposes Annual Tax on State-Registered Series LLCs

49. Michigan Appellate Court Affirms Disallowance of MBT Modified Gross Receipts Tax Base Deduction for Purchased Services

50. Vermont Department of Taxation Issues Certain Guidance on Federal 2017 Tax Act, Specifically the Inclusion of IRC 965 Income on State Returns

51. Arkansas DFA Says Remote Sellers Should Register and Collect Tax Pursuant to Recent US Supreme Court Decision that Overrules Quill

52. Kentucky DOR Updates Post- Wayfair Comments; Announces October 1 Enforcement Date and Reiterates Prospective Implementation

53. Nebraska DOR Comments on Recent US Supreme Court Decision that Overrules Quill, Including January 1, 2019 Enforcement Date and Promise of “No Retroactivity”

The above represents 'general curating' of state tax developments into one spot. If you still feel overwhelmed by the volume of state tax developments, please consider my 'custom curating' service. Meaning, clients hire LEVERAGE SALT to daily curate state tax developments relating to a specific industry, state(s), tax type and issue. You can make it as granular as you prefer. This allows you to reduce information overload, and only get the information you need to help your clients or company. This service is provided on a fixed-fee or subscription basis. Contact me at strahle@leveragesalt.com.

STATE TAX KNOWLEDGE UPDATE (59 ITEMS) - JUNE 11, 2018

The following are state tax and business developments I have curated since May 22nd, and posted in the LEVERAGE SALT LinkedIn group:

Some of the items may be on the same state/issue/topic, but they are from different sources which may give you a broader perspective to help your company or client.

1. California proposes to amend entity classification rules; comments due June 26

2. Delaware qui tam case against gift card retailers moves forward

3. Colorado Market-Based Sourcing Legislation Goes to Governor

4. California Launches Online Directory of Business Incentives

5. Tennessee Decouples From Business Interest Deduction Limit

6. Louisiana Governor Proposes Tax Cuts, Elimination of Deductions

7. Minnesota Governor Vetoes Omnibus Tax Legislation

8. Missouri Lawmakers Approve Corporate Rate Cut, Apportionment Changes

9. 2018 State Tax Amnesty Programs (as of 5 25 18)

10. California FTB holds interested parties meeting regarding significant proposed revisions to its market-based sourcing rules

11. The SALT Deduction Limit: The IRS Responds to State Workarounds

12. Online Travel Companies Are Not Liable for Local California Hotel Tax

13. Hawaii Use Tax Held Constitutional

14. TaxDay becomes official MLB Players Association partner

15. IRS Discusses Certain Payments Made in Exchange for State and Local Tax Credits

16. California FTB Provides TY 2017 Filing Guidance Regarding IRC Section 965 Repatriation Transition Tax

17. New Louisiana Law Revises Due Date for Filing Corporate Franchise Tax Returns

18. Maine Revenue Services Comments that Amended Returns May be Necessary Given State Nonconformity to Recent Federal Tax Law Changes

19. Michigan Appellate Court Affirms that Holding Company Lacks Requisite Nexus for City of Detroit Income Tax Purposes

20. New Jersey Appellate Court Affirms Lower Court Decision Involving Unreasonable Exception to CBT Intercompany Expense Addback Rule

21. New Tennessee Law Includes Delayed Decoupling from New Business Interest Limitations under IRC Sec. 163(j)

22. Hawaii State High Court Upholds Validity of Use Taxation Scheme on Purchases from Out-of-State Sellers

23. Washington DOR Advisory Explains that Retailer’s Enhanced Delivery Services May Create Nexus

24. Corporate Close-Up: No More Passing Through In Connecticut and New York?

25. Georgia Property Tax Appeal Thresholds Decreased

26. Delaware Creates Angel Investor Credit

27. Georgia Creates Additional High-Technology Exemption

28. Governor Signs Iowa Sales and Use, Excise Tax Reform Legislation

29. Iowa Enacts Major Income Tax Reform

30. Connecticut Enacts Pass-Through Entity Income Tax

31. Montana Adopts Pass-Through Entity Apportionment Rules

32. Connecticut enacts responses to federal tax reform

33. California FTB Now Permitting Taxpayers to Make Oral Presentations in Staff-Initiated Alternative Apportionment Proposals

34. Michigan Department of Treasury Issues New Bulletin on UBG Including Control and Relationship Tests

35. Pennsylvania DOR Issues Ruling on New Law that Imposes Information Reporting and Notice Requirements

36. New York Tax Appeals Tribunal Reverses ALJ to Hold that Taxpayer’s Transactions Must be Aggregated and Thus Subject to Tax

37. Enacted Kentucky Legislation Provides for Mandatory Combined Reporting for Unitary Businesses and Additional Sales Tax Changes

38. Alabama DOR Issues Guidance Regarding IRC Section 965 Deemed Repatriation Impact on Taxpayers

39. Iowa enacts significant income tax and sales tax changes

40. Legislative Session Review: Iowa

41. Oregon's research credit sunsets - Opportunities for 2017 tax year

42. Missouri reduces rate, adopts single factor and market sourcing, more

43. LINK TO IOWA TAX REFORM WEBSITE CREATED BY IOWA DOR

44. Iowa Governor Signs Tax Reform & Conformity Bill

45. Wayfair Debated at Georgetown SALT Conference

46. State Impacts of TCJA Analyzed at Georgetown Conference

47. Missouri Enacts Corporate Tax Rate Cut and Apportionment Changes

48. Sales Thresholds Trigger Sales Tax Nexus in Illinois

49. Michigan Updates Unitary Business Group Guidance

50. Colorado Enacts Market-Based Sourcing

51. Connecticut Explains Repatriation Transition Tax Reporting

52. New Colorado Law Imposes Market-Based Sourcing Provisions for Certain Receipts from Services and Intangibles

53. New Connecticut Law Makes Various Changes in Response to Federal 2017 Tax Act

54. Kentucky DOR Explains New Law that Includes Mandatory Unitary Combined Reporting Regime and Market-Based Sourcing

55. Michigan Department of Treasury Comments on Federal 2017 Tax Act

56. Montana DOR Issues New Regulations on the Apportionment and Allocation of Income Reported by Pass-Through Entities

57. New Illinois Law Imposes Remote Seller Tax Collection and Remittance Responsibilities via Economic Nexus Provisions

58. New Iowa Law Imposes Economic Nexus

59. Recent Idaho Law Amendments Provide Income Tax Rate Reductions and Amend IRC Conformity

The above represents 'general curating' of state tax developments into one spot. If you still feel overwhelmed by the volume of state tax developments, please consider my 'custom curating' service. Meaning, clients hire LEVERAGE SALT to daily curate state tax developments relating to a specific industry, state(s), tax type and issue. You can make it as granular as you prefer. This allows you to reduce information overload, and only get the information you need to help your clients or company. This service is provided on a fixed-fee or subscription basis. Contact me at strahle@leveragesalt.com.

CLEANING UP STATE TAX EXPOSURE

In case you missed what states have amnesty programs going on currently, I thought I would send you a link to COST's (Council on State Taxation) quick summary.

Amnesty can be a great tool for states and taxpayers, but sometimes a voluntary disclosure agreement is a better option.

What is an Amnesty Program?

An amnesty program is generally a time period established by a state to allow taxpayers who are delinquent on their taxes to come forward, and pay those taxes without penalties being imposed. Usually interest is still imposed, but sometimes it may be waived as well. Each state amnesty program is different or unique; meaning, they each contain their own set of rules, guidelines and qualifications. Amnesty programs usually pertain to certain tax periods, specific tax types, and taxpayers who meet certain criteria. In other words, "look before you leap."

Taxpayers who are eligible for an amnesty program, but don’t take advantage of the program, are often faced with harsh penalties if caught after the program has ended.

Voluntary Disclosure Agreements

When amnesty programs are not in effect, most states still have what they call “Voluntary Disclosure Agreement” (VDA) programs which allow taxpayers to come forward on an anonymous basis, limit the number of prior years required to be filed (usually 4), and pay taxes and interest. Under most VDA programs, penalties are waived, but not interest.

Remember, a voluntary disclosure agreement is only able to be utilized if the state has not already contacted the taxpayer (in most cases). If the state contacts the taxpayer first, the state can make the taxpayer file returns for all previous years in which the company had nexus in the state.