Council on State Taxation

Last updated
Council On State Taxation (COST)
Company type Trade association
Founded Washington, D.C., U.S. (1969 (1969))
Headquarters,
Area served
North America
Website http://www.cost.org/

The Council on State Taxation (COST) is a state tax organization representing business taxpayers. [1] [2] It has been noted by one prominent tax policy expert[ who? ] as the "most influential nongovernmental organization in the state tax policy arena."[ attribution needed ] COST is a non-profit trade association based in Washington, D.C. consisting of approximately 550 multistate corporations engaged in interstate and international business. [3] COST was formed in 1969 as the "Committee on State Taxation" by a handful of companies under the sponsorship of the Council of State Chambers of Commerce, an organization with which COST remains associated. [3] [1] In 2000, the organization changed its name to "Council on State Taxation". [3] COST's objective is to preserve and promote equitable and nondiscriminatory state and local taxation of multijurisdictional business entities. [4] [1] [2]

Contents

Membership

COST membership is exclusive, only multistate businesses that are not engaged in tax advising or consulting may apply for membership. As a member of COST, a business will have access to the following benefits:

Education

COST offers education opportunities. COST events include:

All COST programs qualify with state boards of accountancy and state bar associations for continuing education credits.

Advocacy

COST's advocacy program is oriented toward active involvement on state tax issues of broad importance to the membership. COST advocates on behalf of its membership in the legislative, judicial and administrative arenas. State and local government policymakers rely heavily on COST staff in formulating, implementing, and changing the state tax landscape. COST's reputation as the nationwide voice of corporate taxpayers has garnered respect from the leadership of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Federation of Tax Administrators, the National Governors Association, and even the Multistate Tax Commission. COST's involvement in an issue on behalf of its corporate membership signals to state leaders that the issue is one of importance. COST also serves as a resource on business tax issues to other organizations, including State Chambers of Commerce and state taxpayer associations, as those groups develop strategies to address complex state tax matters.

COST disseminates information on pertinent legislative, judicial and regulatory developments through regular publications, and coordinates advocacy activities with members and other sympathetic parties. COST files amicus briefs with state and federal courts, provides testimony (oral and written) before legislative and administrative bodies, meets regularly with state policymakers, and brings together interested members to enhance advocacy activities on targeted issues.

Public policy goals

  1. "COST will educate policymakers and the public regarding the state and local tax system and businesses direct and indirect contributions to the state and local tax system. COST will further educate policymakers and the public regarding the state and local tax system's impact on business, jobs and investment." [5]
  2. "COST will regularly evaluate the state and local tax system to determine whether the statutes, rules, legal decisions and policies governing tax administration are fair, efficient and customer-focused." [5]
  3. "COST will work to improve tax administration where it is not fair, efficient and customer-focused. Wherever possible, COST will see to partner on these efforts with the Federation of Tax Administrators, the Multistate Tax Commission, the National Conference of State Legislatures and other representatives of state and local governments. [5]

Publications

COST utilizes electronic broadcast email to keep members informed of the most important issues. COST newsletters are distributed to COST members for free on a weekly basis. Those newsletters include:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Accountant</span> Practitioner of accounting or accountancy

An accountant is a practitioner of accounting or accountancy. Accountants who have demonstrated competency through their professional associations' certification exams are certified to use titles such as Chartered Accountant, Chartered Certified Accountant or Certified Public Accountant, or Registered Public Accountant. Such professionals are granted certain responsibilities by statute, such as the ability to certify an organization's financial statements, and may be held liable for professional misconduct. Non-qualified accountants may be employed by a qualified accountant, or may work independently without statutory privileges and obligations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Institute of Certified Public Accountants</span> American trade group of financial transaction trackers

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the national professional organization of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States, with more than 428,000 members in 130 countries. Founded in 1887 as the American Association of Public Accountants (AAPA), the organization sets ethical standards and U.S. auditing standards. It also develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination. The AICPA maintains offices in New York City; Washington, DC; Durham, NC; and Ewing, NJ.

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is a politically conservative U.S. advocacy group whose stated goal is "a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today." According to ATR, "The government's power to control one's life derives from its power to tax. We believe that power should be minimized." The organization is known for its "Taxpayer Protection Pledge", which asks candidates for federal and state office to commit themselves in writing to oppose all tax increases. The founder and president of ATR is Grover Norquist, a conservative tax activist.

The Canada Revenue Agency is the revenue service of the Canadian federal government, and most provincial and territorial governments. The CRA collects taxes, administers tax law and policy, and delivers benefit programs and tax credits. Legislation administered by the CRA includes the Income Tax Act, parts of the Excise Tax Act, and parts of laws relating to the Canada Pension Plan, employment insurance (EI), tariffs and duties. The agency also oversees the registration of charities in Canada, and enforces much of the country's tax laws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Taxpayers Union</span> American conservative taxpayers advocacy organization and taxpayers union

The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is a fiscally conservative taxpayer advocacy organization and taxpayers union in the United States, founded in 1977 by James Dale Davidson. NTU says that it is the oldest taxpayer advocacy organization in the nation. It is closely affiliated with a non-profit foundation, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF). The organization has ranked politicians on their perceived fiscal responsibility, in the eyes of the National Taxpayers Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tax policy</span> Choice by a government as to what taxes to levy, in what amounts, and on whom

Tax policy refers to the guidelines and principles established by a government for the imposition and collection of taxes. It encompasses both microeconomic and macroeconomic aspects, with the former focusing on issues of fairness and efficiency in tax collection, and the latter focusing on the overall quantity of taxes to be collected and its impact on economic activity. The tax framework of a country is considered a crucial instrument for influencing the country's economy.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), established in 1975, is a "nonpartisan public officials' association composed of sitting state legislators" from the states, territories and commonwealths of the United States.

Tax Analysts is a nonprofit publisher offering the Tax Notes portfolio of products, including weekly magazines featuring commentary, daily online journals featuring news and analysis, and research tools, all focused on tax policy and administration. Tax Analysts also promotes transparency in tax policymaking and holds regular conferences on key tax issues.

Taxes provide the most important revenue source for the Government of the People's Republic of China. Tax is a key component of macro-economic policy, and greatly affects China's economic and social development. With the changes made since the 1994 tax reform, China has sought to set up a streamlined tax system geared to a socialist market economy.

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is an American trade association representing and advocating on behalf of the U.S. propane and renewable propane industries. Propane has a low-carbon content, has no methane emissions, is nontoxic, and is designated an approved clean, alternative fuel under the Clean Air Act Amendments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama State Bar</span> Bar Association

The Alabama State Bar is the integrated (mandatory) bar association of the U.S. state of Alabama.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) is the Oklahoma state government agency that collects taxes and enforces the taxation and revenue laws of the state. The Commission is composed of three members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. The Commissioners are charged with oversight of the agency but appoint an Executive Director to serve as the chief administrative officer of the Commission and to oversee the general practices of the Commission.

The California Taxpayers Association is an advocacy organization in the U.S. state of California founded in 1926 to promote lower taxes in the state. The association, also known simply as CalTax, serves its members through research and advocacy on significant tax and spending issues in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. CalTax is led by President Teresa Casazza, a certified public accountant with many years of experience working on tax policy.

The Commissioner of the Revenue is one of five locally elected constitutional officers whose authority is specifically conveyed in the Virginia Constitution. The other four are the treasurer, sheriff, Commonwealth's attorney, and clerk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Chamber of Commerce in Russia</span> Foreign business organization operating in Russia

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) is the leading foreign business organization operating in Russia. Founded in 1994, AmCham advocates the trade and investment interests of its member companies, which include major U.S. Corporations, as well as large European and Russian companies. The Chamber advances commercial relations between the Russian Federation and the international community by promoting an investment-friendly environment. In so doing, the Chamber maintains a constant dialogue with the Russian government to protect and promote the economic interests of member companies.

Wilford Val Oveson is an American Republican Party politician in the state of Utah. Oveson has held several state offices in Utah, most notably the third lieutenant governor of Utah, and the federal office of National Taxpayer Advocate for the Internal Revenue Service. He resides in Bountiful, Utah.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the largest national education association in the United States dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares for careers. The ACTE is committed to enhancing the job performance and satisfaction of its members; to increasing public awareness and appreciation for career and technical education (CTE); and to assuring growth in local, state and federal funding for these programs by communicating and working with legislators and government leaders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association of Taxation Technicians</span>

The Association of Taxation Technicians or ATT, is a leading professional body in the UK for those providing tax compliance services and related activities. It is registered with The Charity Commission in the UK (803480).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Council of Engineering Companies</span>

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the oldest and largest business association of engineering companies. It is organized as a federation of 52 state and regional councils with national headquarters in Washington, D.C., comprising thousands of engineering practices throughout the country. It administers extensive lobbying and education programs.

The Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) is an interstate instrumentality located in the United States. It is the executive agency charged with administering the Multistate Tax Compact (1967). As of 2021, the District of Columbia and all 50 states except for Nevada are members in some capacity.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "COST - Council On State Taxation". www.cost.org. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  2. 1 2 "2018 Kentucky Tax Changes - TaxAnswers.ky.gov" (PDF).
  3. 1 2 3 Turner, Timothy J. (2005), Local government e-disclosure & comparisons, Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, pp. 124, 292, ISBN   978-0-7618-3071-9, OCLC   58676688
  4. 1 2 Nash, Shannon King; Djordjevich, edited by Vera; Vault, the staff of (2004), Vault guide to tax law careers, New York, NY: Vault, pp. 117, 155, ISBN   978-1-58131-273-7, OCLC   55067323 {{citation}}: |author2= has generic name (help)
  5. 1 2 3 "COST Public Policy Objectives" (PDF). Council On State Taxation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2016-06-26.