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]