Episode 24

full
Published on:

5th Jul 2021

Multistate Tax Commission with Helen Hecht

In this episode of the SALTovation podcast, we speak with Helen Hecht, Uniformity Counsel at the Multistate Tax Commission (MTC), and our own Judy Vorndran. Helen provides insight into how the MTC works towards its mission and her role as uniformity counsel.

 


Questions asked and answered in this Episode:


  • What is the progression of Helen’s career and how did she end up at the MTC?


  • Can you give a high-level overview of what the MTC is and its purpose?


  • What is she doing as uniformity counsel?


  • How are the states going to administer a digital tax on advertising?

 


What You Will Discover:


  • [00:47] The path that brought Helen to the MTC


  • [13:14] An overview of what the MTC is and its purpose


  • [20:58] Early success with states’ adoption of Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes Act (UDITPA)


  • [23:43] What she does as uniformity counsel


  • [31:08] Their approach to assimilate the laws


  • [33:54] How the states plan to administer a digital tax on advertising


  • [42:49] The new standards due to the Wayfair decision


  • [47:30] An unusual situation in which MTC has a solution


  • [51:28] Why Wayfair decision was great for state and local practitioners

 


Quotables:


  • “If I can say one thing to people starting out in this field, don’t discount working in government, because some of the work can be the most fun you’ll ever do.” - Helen Hecht [08:49]


  • “Technology is a huge tool for everybody. We would not be where we are today if it weren’t for the advances in technology.” - Helen Hecht [12:19]


  • “It’s interesting though. You’re organized and you have ideas, but you have no teeth, right? There’s no bite to your will to make people agree.” - Judy Vorndran [20:45]


  • “Sometimes you have to stop and say, ‘Quit trying to fit the square peg in the round hole, and let’s figure out if there’s a different way to do this. And why are we trying to do it?’” - Helen Hecht [37:14]


  • “Identify the right problem. YOu know, that’s what they always tell you when you’re trying to solve a problem. The most important thing is to make sure you identify the actual problem.” - Helen Hecht [41:24]

 


Relevant Links:


The Multistate Tax Commission: https://www.mtc.gov


Helen Hecht on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-hecht-2406ab1a


Subscribe on your favorite podcast app:

https://saltovation.captivate.fm/listen

https://linktr.ee/taxops 


Follow Us on Socials

https://www.linkedin.com/company/taxops-llc

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMB1ZQNGXM_F777SIEl8Vjw 


Talk To A Tax Advocate Today

TaxOps Website: https://taxops.com/contact/


Production Support

This episode was produced with support from Truth Work Media. www.truthworkmedia.com

Mentioned in this episode:

SALT Contact

Advanced Sales and Use Tax Workshop

Take your sales tax to the next level at Advanced Sales and Use Tax Workshop, February 19-21 in Nashville. Diane Yetter and the Sales Tax Institute’s industry-leading faculty provide individualized training, valuable resources, and practical solutions. Expand your network and earn 23 CPE credits. Visit the link in the show notes and use the code SALTOV10 for 10% off. Save your spot now!" https://keap.page/xp141/saltovation-podcast.htm

Use Tax Workshop

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for SALTovation: Making Sense of State and Local Tax

About the Podcast

SALTovation: Making Sense of State and Local Tax
Welcome to SALTovation. The SALTovation show is a podcast series featuring the leading voices in state and local tax (SALT). Here we talk about issues, strategies, and planning tools to help you make sense of SALT. Because, in SALT, there is no “one and done.” SALT is a puzzle of ever-changing pieces. Solving that puzzle is our business at SALTovation. Tens of thousands of listeners know they won't get tax talk as usual with the SALTovation team. Our team is known for straight-talk with a flair for fun, providing clarity and opinions that move businesses forward with confidence.

Attorney, CPA, speaker, and writer Judy Vorndran leads the SALTovation team as they go inside business to help deal with the daily operations and long-term strategies of making SALT less “taxing.” Judy has spent more than 25 years advocating for businesses with innovative strategies, renowned knowledge and experience. She has helped guide thousands of taxpayers across the nation and globally through the morass of SALT, freeing them to concentrate on growth. Joining Judy are the wickedly smart members of the SALTovation team, who have seen, worked with and tamed some of the most prickly issues in SALT. They enjoy sharing their stories and knowledge with listeners.

Solving the SALT puzzle doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it takes a community. So, we invite leaders in business and state and local tax to share their stories, challenges and successes on this show. Drop us a line at SALTovation.com if you'd like to join the conversation and tune into our regular series at TaxOps.com.