Yesterday, the Multistate Tax Commission held its annual meeting in Spokane, Washington. The meeting is the annual event where full MTC member states approve model laws in their final version. The approved versions are then ready for the member states to adopt if they so choose. This year the MTC approved changes to the equitable
Policy and Legislation
Multistate Tax Commission Committees Discuss Apportionment Details and an Information-Sharing Program
Yesterday, the Multistate Tax Commission held meetings of its Litigation, Uniformity, and Strategic Planning Steering Committees. The meetings were generally dominated by discussions of evolving apportionment issues, including litigation and significant edits to existing regulations. The Uniformity Committee also advanced its new model “engaged in business” statute.
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Multistate Tax Commission Commences Annual Conference, Expands Audit Program
Yesterday, the Multistate Tax Commission kicked off its annual conference and committee meetings with meetings of the Audit and Nexus Committees. The MTC’s Audit program continues to grow by adding Iowa, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Delaware to the program during the last fiscal year. The MTC Nexus Committee is responsible for administering the National Nexus…
MTC Nearing Completion of Model Sourcing Regulation for Services and Intangibles
The Multistate Tax Commission’s Annual Conference and Committee Meetings are being held on July 27-30, 2015, in Spokane, Washington. On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at approximately 1:00 pm PDT, an MTC working group will present this model market-based sourcing regulation working draft to the MTC’s Uniformity Committee. Many on the working group consider the working…
All Sales Final: Indiana Merchandise Return and Coupon Creation Services Not Taxable
By Charles C. Capouet and Madison J. Barnett
The Indiana Department of Revenue determined that a taxpayer’s sales of merchandise return-related services to retailers are not subject to Indiana sales and use tax. The Department addressed the taxability of three services: (1) the Merchandise Authorization Service (MAS), which utilizes the taxpayer’s proprietary database and risk-scoring…
Found in Translation: Online Drop Shipment Facilitation Service Not Subject to New York Sales and Use Tax
By Evan M. Hamme and Open Weaver Banks
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance released an advisory opinion explaining how it will treat drop shipment facilitation services for sales and use tax purposes. The petitioner uses proprietary software to create an Internet-based “hub” through which a web-based merchant orders products from a…
Software Training Not Subject to Indiana Sales and Use Tax
By Charles C. Capouet and Andrew D. Appleby
The Indiana Department of Revenue found that software training is not subject to sales and use tax because it does not constitute tangible personal property. The Department audited the taxpayer and assessed additional use tax on its purchase of a software license agreement. Nearly half of the…
More Than Just a Little Bit – New Jersey Division of Taxation Says Convertible Virtual Currency Transactions, Like Bitcoins, Are Subject to State Sales and Use Tax, Corporation Business Tax and Gross Income Tax
By Robert P. Merten III and Prentiss Willson
The New Jersey Division of Taxation has issued a technical advisory memorandum (TAM) explaining New Jersey’s tax position that transactions involving convertible virtual currency— “electronic/digital money” with an equivalent or substitute value in real currency, such as bitcoins—are subject to state tax liability, including sales and use…
A Proposed Assessment Is Not an Assessment for Statute of Limitations Purposes in Florida
By Zachary T. Atkins and Open Weaver Banks
In a closely followed case, a Florida district court of appeal held that a proposed assessment is not an assessment for statute of limitations purposes. The Florida Department of Revenue generally has three years to “determine and assess” any tax, penalty or interest due. The Department has…
Residence Precedence? California State Board of Equalization Considers Issuing Formal Opinion in Taxpayer-Favorable Residency Ruling
By Robert P. Merten III and Timothy A. Gustafson
The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) has issued a rare ruling on residency topics, finding in favor of individual taxpayers on two issues. First, the BOE found that the taxpayers established domicile in Washington three months earlier than the Franchise Tax Board claimed, because they…



