Baltimore-Washington Chapter Looks at Outsourcing, State and Local Tax Issues

Tax Executive, The, Nov, 1999

TEI's Baltimore-Washington Chapter held its first chapter meeting of the 1999-2000 program year on September 29. Sixty-five members and guests heard Richard Larsen, James Keene, and Jay Levine of Ernst & Young discuss current trends in outsourcing the tax function as well as ideas for ensuring that your company's management properly values the services that your department provides. Following the presentation was a panel discussion that included the E&Y representatives as well as two member of the chapter, Martin Levine and James Butler, whose companies recently outsourced the tax function, and chapter president Donald Rightnour. The E&Y speakers focused on how to demonstrate the value the tax department provides to the company as well as instances where outsourcing may be the better value to your company. The importance of communication between tax and management as well as working proactively to anticipate problems was stressed. Also emphasized was the need for the tax department to be viewed as a strategic player in managing the company as opposed to being considered just a cost center. Attending members seemed to appreciate the presentations of what has become a current and contentious issue with many member companies. A reception for all attendees followed the meeting.

State and Local Issues

The Baltimore-Washington Chapter's second meeting was held October 20 at the Greenbelt, Maryland, Marriott. The topic for the meeting was the annual of update of state and local tax issues. Don Griswold and Karen Syrylo of KPMG presented an update of recent cases and issues concentrating on middle Atlantic region states. The review included coverage of nexus issues for both sales and use tax, as well as income tax. Other areas discussed included forced combination, state use of federal section 482 and miscellaneous topics considered important to the chapter's membership. After this presentation Chris Baldwin of Gannett Co. provided an update on Gannett's litigation with the State of Maryland. The meeting then moved on to unclaimed property issues. Karen Syrylo and Michelle Andre, KPMG's Director of National Unclaimed Property Services, gave a concise overview of unclaimed property issues on both a mid-Atlantic and national basis. The response from the attendees indicated that this meeting was both timely and of great value to the membership. The meeting was well attended with more than 60 members and guests registered. A reception followed, giving the participants a good opportunity to socialize and network with other tax professionals.