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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:

• October 19-22, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois
• March 22-25, 2010 in Dallas, Texas
• June 7-10, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia

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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...

Musings from the BAT Cave

Elliott Dubin, Director of Policy Research and Cameron Snow, Policy Research Intern, Multistate Tax Commission. This article refutes the hypothesis made by some persons and organizations that extending the protections of Public Law 86-272 to sales of services and intangibles would have a significant, positive effect on business investment. The proponents of imposing a federally mandated physical presence nexus standard argue it would greatly reduce the uncertainty caused by the complexity of current state business activity tax nexus standards; and, that the purportedly reduced uncertainty would result in a higher level of business investment. The authors find that current economic conditions and other factors far outweigh nexus standards in determining investment.

Please visit our Publications page to read this article in full text.

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