Navigating U.S. State and Local Tax Compliance, Risk Management, and Strategic Planning

Introduction

State and local taxation (SALT) is a critical area of tax compliance and planning for businesses, tax professionals, and policymakers. With 50 different state tax codes, varying local tax regulations, and complex nexus rules, companies must effectively manage multi-state tax obligations to mitigate risks and optimize tax efficiency.

This 5-day intensive course is designed for corporate tax professionals, CPAs, financial managers, legal advisors, and compliance officers who need to develop expertise in multi-state taxation. Participants will explore income tax, sales tax, franchise tax, property tax, and economic nexus rules, gaining hands-on experience through real-world case studies and tax simulations.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of state and local taxation (SALT).
• Navigate sales and use tax, corporate income tax, and franchise tax regulations.
• Assess economic nexus rules and multi-state tax obligations.
• Ensure compliance with state tax audits and reporting requirements.
• Develop tax planning strategies to optimize state and local tax liabilities.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for professionals involved in state and local tax compliance, corporate finance, and multi-state tax planning, including:

• Corporate tax managers and CFOs handling state tax obligations.
• CPAs and tax consultants advising businesses on multi-state taxation.
• Legal and compliance professionals managing state tax laws and risk mitigation.
• Financial analysts and accountants responsible for tax calculations and filings.
• Government tax regulators and policymakers overseeing SALT policies.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to State and Local Taxation (SALT)

• Overview of state tax systems in the U.S.
• State vs. federal taxation: Key differences and compliance challenges.
• Understanding state income tax, sales tax, property tax, and excise taxes.
• Home state taxation vs. multi-state taxation considerations.
• Local tax obligations: City and municipal tax requirements.

Workshop: Comparing state tax structures across different U.S. regions.

Day 2: Corporate Income Tax and Franchise Tax Compliance

• State corporate income tax vs. franchise tax: Key differences.
• Apportionment formulas (three-factor vs. single sales factor).
• State tax credits, deductions, and incentives for businesses.
• Pass-through entity (PTE) taxation and state-level considerations.
• State and local tax issues in mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings.

Case Study: Structuring a multi-state business to minimize tax burdens.

Day 3: Sales and Use Tax Compliance & Economic Nexus Rules

• Overview of state sales tax vs. use tax.
• Economic nexus and remote seller compliance (Wayfair ruling impact).
• Marketplace facilitator laws and their impact on e-commerce businesses.
• Exemptions and resale certificates: Managing sales tax obligations.
• Audit risk and compliance best practices for sales tax reporting.

Scenario Analysis: Ensuring sales tax compliance for an e-commerce company.

Day 4: Property Tax, Payroll Tax, and Local Business Taxes

• Understanding state and local property tax obligations.
• Valuation methods and property tax appeals for businesses.
• Payroll tax and state-level employment tax considerations.
• Gross receipts tax, business privilege tax, and excise tax compliance.
• State tax audits: Red flags and best practices for defense.

Mock Audit Exercise: Preparing for a state tax audit and compliance review.

Day 5: Multi-State Tax Planning and Risk Mitigation Strategies

• Navigating multi-state tax issues for growing businesses.
• Tax risk management strategies in complex SALT environments.
• Technology solutions for state tax automation and compliance.
• Future trends in state taxation: Digital taxes, ESG-related tax policies, and AI in tax compliance.
• Final Capstone: Participants develop a comprehensive multi-state tax strategy for a corporate entity.

Conclusion & Certification

Participants who complete the course and pass the final assessment will receive a Certification in State and Local Taxation (SALT), demonstrating expertise in multi-state tax compliance, planning, and risk management.

Program Benefits

• Expert-Led Training – Learn from SALT specialists, state tax regulators, and corporate tax professionals.
• Hands-On Learning – Engage in real-world case studies and multi-state tax simulations.
• Compliance & Risk Management Focus – Master state tax nexus rules, audits, and reporting.
• Strategic Tax Planning – Strengthen corporate tax efficiency across multiple states.
• Career Growth – Gain an edge in corporate tax consulting, compliance management, and financial strategy.

Career Opportunities After Certification

• State and Local Tax (SALT) Consultant – Advising businesses on multi-state tax compliance.
• Corporate Tax Manager – Overseeing state and local tax planning for enterprises.
• Government Tax Policy Advisor – Assisting state legislatures in tax law development.
• E-Commerce Tax Specialist – Ensuring online businesses comply with economic nexus laws.
• Real Estate & Property Tax Analyst – Managing state and local property tax obligations.