Latest News
Marshall Stranburg Receives 2009 MTC Paull Mines Award
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On July 29, 2009, Marshall Stranburg, General Counsel for the Florida Department of Revenue, was presented with the second annual Paull Mines Award for Contribution to State Tax Jurisprudence. The Commission established this award to honor Paull Mines, who served as MTC general counsel for eight years until his death in 2002. We are pleased to recognize Marshall’s outstanding contributions, and the leadership, legal excellence, and professional integrity that Marshall exercises in the best tradition of the profession. |
State Tax Amnesties
Several states are in the midst of or have recent started amnesty programs. For your convenience, the Commission has set up a page that lists these amnesty programs and provides links you can follow to get specific information. You can find that page here.
42nd Annual Conference
The Commission held its 42nd Annual Conference, The States, The Economy, and the Great Recession, on July 29, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. Visit our 2009 Annual Conference page to see presentations from this event.
Statistical Sampling for Sales and Use Tax Audits
Appropriate use of sampling techniques contributes to reduced audit cost and improved audit results—for both the tax agency and the taxpayer. The MTC has scheduled three sessions of this course, which are open to state and local government and private sector participants:
March 22-25, 2010 in Dallas, Texas
June 7-10, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia
Read more...
State Fiscal Outlook: It's bad and it's going to get worse before it gets better
It's bad: According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, total state and local government surpluses fell from a record high of $63.1 billion in the second quarter of 2006 to a deficit of $103.6 billion in the third quarter of 2008, the latest data available (both figures are seasonally adjusted at annual rate). Total state and local government surpluses were $4.7 billion in the third quarter 0f 2008. Total state and local government borrowing went from $33.4 billion in the first quarter of 2006 to more than $200 billion in the third quarter of 2008. See the accompanying chart for state and local budget deficits and surpluses and net borrowing from the first quarter of 1990 to the third quarter of 2008. Read more...
The Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2009
The latest iteration of the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act, it is almost identical to the previous versions of this bill. Read more...
Business Tax Provisions of the Stimulus Package
As a service to those who peruse our website, the Policy Research Division staff has culled the business tax provisions from the stimulus package that was recently signed off on by the House and Senate. Read more...