SALTovation: Navigating the Complexities of State and Local Tax by Aprio

Aprio's Meredith Smith and Judy Vorndran continue their conversation with Stephanie Lipinski Galland, Principal at Miles & Stockbridge, on why sales tax compliance remains so difficult six years after Wayfair—and why the system itself may be overdue for a rethink. Together they explore the human cost of navigating thousands of jurisdictions and constant change, and what it really takes to help...

In this episode of the SALTovation Podcast, Meredith Smith and Judy Vorndran join Stephanie Lipinski Galland, Principal at Miles & Stockbridge, for a lively conversation about how the shift from a "bricks" to a "clicks" world has reshaped sales tax. A 10th-generation Virginian, Stephanie highlights her time at the Virginia Department of Taxation and at the Gap, where she helped navigate one of...

In Part 2 of this SALTovation Podcast, Meredith Smith and Judy Vorndran reconnect with Diane Yetter, Founder of the Sales Tax Institute and YETTER Tax, to explain what the Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) organization is and discuss its purpose to simplify and modernize sales tax administration to substantially reduce the burden of tax compliance. The conversation pivots to the Certified Service Provid...

In this episode of the SALTovation podcast, Aprio's Judy Vorndran and Meredith Smith welcome back four-time guest Diane Yetter, founder of YETTER Tax and the Sales Tax Institute, for a candid look at where sales tax technology has been, where it is now, and where it is heading. Diane outlines her 41 years of work in the field, from her start as a Kansas state auditor to building exemption certific...

In part two of Aprio’s SALTovation Podcat with Andrea Muse, Editor-in-Chief of Tax Notes State, Meredith Smith and Stacey Roberts explore the editorial engine behind the publication and identify relevant state and local tax issues. Andrea discusses how topics make it onto the Tax Notes State agenda, the importance of reader input, and how the publication is geared to respond to real life issues. I...

In this episode of the SALTovation Podcast, Aprio’s Meredith Smith and Stacey Roberts sit down with Andrea Muse, Editor-in-Chief of Tax Notes State, to explore her journey from aspiring doctor to tax policy expert and journalist. Andrea shares insights from her time at the Virginia Department of Taxation, where she focused on legislative policy and guidance, and reflects on how those experiences s...

In part two of Aprio’s conversation with Michael Cataldo from Cataldo Tax law firm, we explore the distinction between business and non-business income and the complexities of the throw-out rule in California’s evolving tax landscape. Michael also highlights current cases to watch and explains why early issue identification is critical for taxpayers. The discussion will also cover how major transa...

Join Aprio and our guest Michael Cataldo from Cataldo Tax law firm for an update on the latest changes in California state and local taxes. We will discuss the new legislation that aligns California more closely with the Internal Revenue Code and highlight key exceptions. In addition, we’ll cover apportionment, nexus, and market-based sourcing challenges, plus recent income tax cases shaping the r...

This week, we are excited to announce our integration into Aprio, a leading advisory and accounting firm. Meredith Smith, Judy Vorndran, Carli Huband, and Jeff Glickman share the story behind this exciting milestone, and the conversations, values, and vision that brought the two organizations together. By combining forces with Aprio, we’re expanding the depth of expertise, resources, and support w...

Colorado’s recent elimination of the vendor fee marks a major shift in the state’s sales and use tax system, with big implications for small businesses and the wider economy. In this episode, we continue our conversation with Jenn Penn and Shanah Schaffer, breaking down what this change means for compliance, operational challenges, and the business community at large. Together, we explore how busi...

Ongoing advocacy, collaboration, and policy reform are helping shape a more efficient and equitable tax environment for businesses across Colorado. This week, we dive into the work of the Coalition to Simplify Colorado Sales Tax, a group dedicated to reforming one of the nation’s most complex sales and use tax systems. Our guest, Jenn Penn, founder of Dome Strategies, joins us alongside Shawna Sha...

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Jeremy Scott to take an in-depth look at Canadian tax policy. With a focus on the regional nuances that shape taxation strategies, Jeremy discusses Quebec’s trailblazing implementation of the Netflix tax and its impact on multinational corporations operating in Canada. Listen to learn how Quebec’s unique civil law framework and assertive tax polic...

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of Canada’s sales tax system, covering the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), and various provincial sales taxes (PSTs). Our guest, Jeremy Scott, shares insights on navigating tax compliance and the evolving registration rules, including the recent changes of the “Netflix tax.” We break down the distinctions between federal and...

Our conversation continues with Glenn McCoy as we examine pressing issues such as ethics, artificial intelligence, and tariffs. McCoy underscores how these factors are reshaping the future of tax practice, stressing the need for professionals to stay adaptable and well-informed amid rapid technological innovation and regulatory change. He also offers his perspective on the ethical challenges posed...

In this episode of SALTovation, Glenn McCoy shares his journey through state and local tax, from law school and government service to corporate leadership and consulting. He reflects on career-defining moments, including moves from Oklahoma to New York and the impact of events like the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11. Glenn’s story highlights resilience, adaptability, and valuable lessons for navig...

In this episode, Stacey and Meredith explore the complex world of state and local taxation, focusing on one of the most misunderstood topics: nexus. Our team of tax professionals unpacks the common myths businesses often hold, especially around physical presence and economic nexus rules. A key misconception we address is the belief that a company’s tax responsibilities stop at its state of incorpo...

In this episode of the SALTovation podcast, we unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping tax compliance and the unique challenges that come with managing tariffs in local tax systems. Our guest, Scott Peterson from Avalara, shares insights on how generational shifts in tax expertise are influencing today’s policy landscape. We also dive into the world of digital goods and licensing, offering...

In this episode of the SALTovation podcast, we dive into the complex world of sales tax compliance and explore how technology is playing a vital role in helping businesses stay ahead. We welcome back Scott Peterson from Avalara, who brings deep insight into the ever-changing landscape of state tax policy and the challenges companies face in keeping up. Scott shares how Avalara works closely with b...

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dave Kupiec, CPA, JD, and Natalie Martin, JD, of Kupiec & Martin, LLC, for a deep dive into Illinois tax law. We break down the often-overlooked Illinois franchise tax—a complex and frequently misunderstood area of state taxation. We explore how this tax impacts businesses, particularly during audits in Chicago and Cook County, and highlight t...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Kupiec, CPA, JD, and Natalie Martin, JD, of Kupiec & Martin, LLC, for a deep dive into Illinois tax law. Drawing on their extensive experience with the Illinois Department of Revenue and major corporations, they unpack the recent Pepsi case, offering insights into the state’s Tax Tribunal and appellate process. We explore the importance of strong documenta...

In this episode of the SALTovation podcast, we unpack the complex and shifting economic landscape of Colorado, focusing on how recent tax policies are reshaping the business environment. We continue our conversation with Ed Sealover, VP of Strategic Initiatives at the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, and explore key legislative developments, including new targeted tax credits designed to spark innova...

As Colorado heads into 2025, big fiscal decisions loom. In this episode, we sit down with Ed Sealover, VP of Strategic Initiatives at the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, to unpack the state’s growing budget deficit and what it could mean for both businesses and residents. We explore hot-button issues like the proposed rollback of software tax exemptions and the controversial retail delivery fees. Ed...

This week we continue our conversation with Diane Yetter, President and Founder of Yetter Tax and the Sales Tax Institute. We unpack recent changes to Illinois tax law—specifically through the lens of the PetMeds case—and explore the broader impact of South Dakota’s use tax ruling. We also break down what these shifts mean for taxpayers and why it’s more important than ever to stay alert in the ev...

More than a dozen states have repealed the 200 transaction threshold for economic nexus, aiming to ease the burden on small sellers. Our guest Diane Yetter, President and Founder of Yetter Tax and the Sales Tax Institute, breaks down what these changes mean for businesses, particularly those navigating multi-state sales. Diane explains why small sellers can no longer rely solely on transaction cou...

In this episode of the Saltovation Podcast, we continue our conversation with Brent Reeves, co-founder of CereTax. Brent unpacks the power of API-first architecture and explains why seamless integrations are critical, often solving problems businesses don’t even know they have. Together, we explore key topics like audit readiness, the pitfalls of legacy systems, and the importance of building tax...