"Sales Tax Audit Defense"

Published on: August 27, 2013

New York Will Take Your Driver’s License for Unpaid Tax

As a Florida sales tax lawyer I thought I have seen it all when it comes to overzealous state agencies attacking its citizens for unpaid taxes. With a narrow corporate income tax and no personal income tax, Florida is notoriously aggressive. In August, 2013, I came across an article that shows how other states are attempting to flex their biceps when it comes to tax collection. Specifically, New York announced its war on taxes by suspending individuals’ driver’s licenses if they owe more than $10,000 in taxes.

No Driving.jpg The Empire State has grown tired of chasing tax delinquents and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is leading the charge. Put into law as part of the executive budget, New York believes this initiative will increase collection by about $26 million this year. The Governor was quoted as saying:

Our message is simple: tax scofflaws who don’t abide by the same rules as everyone else are not entitled to the same privileges as everyone else . . . . These worst offenders are putting an unfair burden on the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who are hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers. By enacting these additional consequences, we’re providing additional incentives for the state to receive the money it is owed and we’re keeping scofflaws off the very roads they refuse to pay their fair share to maintain.

Published on: August 19, 2013

Received Florida Sales and Use Tax Audit Notice – What Do I Do?

By Jerry Donnini, Esq.

Part 3: Audit Ends, What Do I Do?
A daunting reality sets in for many Florida taxpayers when the audit report is issued. To say the majority of Florida taxpayers under a Florida sales tax audit have a meltdown is an understatement. Many taxpayers and other Florida tax professionals believe that this is the end of the road for their journey to a sizeable tax bill. However, this is when our job as Florida tax attorneys really begins.

Upon the completion of a Florida tax audit, the Department of Revenue issues a notice of proposed assessment (a “NOPA”). The NOPA is an important document for two reasons. First, it signals that the Florida sales tax auditor is done with the file at the local office and has sent it to Tallahassee. More importantly, if the Taxpayer or the Florida state tax professional does not know what to do, the NOPA means the company better act fast.

Pursuant to Florida law and the NOPA itself, the assessment becomes final in 60 days if it is not contested. This means that the Taxpayer or its CPA or attorney has 2 months to file a protest with Tallahassee. For those of you more familiar with IRS controversy work, this is the equivalent to filing an appeal with the IRS. For the first time, the Taxpayer and its power of attorney is dealing with a different group of theoretically unbiased conferees that evaluate the case with judgment, rather than in black and white, like the auditors are trained to see the world. A well drafted protest can be an impressive presentation by the Taxpayer if done correctly, and it should contain factual and legal assertions to refute the audit assessment. We generally also elect to have a conference with the Department, at which point we very simply lay out the posture of the case and point them to what we believe to be important.
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Published on: July 19, 2013

Received Florida Sales and Use Tax Audit Notice – What Do I Do?

By Jerry Donnini, Esq.

It’s a grim and nerve-racking day for many when they receive the infamous DR-840, Notice of Intent to Audit Books and Records, from our friends at the Florida Department of Revenue. Many Florida taxpayers often ask themselves, “Why me?” Or, “What did my company do wrong in order to receive this notice?” The answer to both of these questions is obtainable from the Florida sales and use tax auditor by simply asking them. In many situations, the company is audited because its exempt sales ratio is out of the average range for similar companies in its industry. Other companies are flagged for audit because the sales reported on their 12 monthly sales and use tax returns do not correspond to the gross sales reported on their federal income tax return. Many other companies are flagged purely at random.

While the reason may be for a variety of reasons, once the notice is received, the reason for its reception is virtually irrelevant. The more relevant inquiry should be, what should we do next? Ideally, it makes sense for many Florida businesses to hire a law firm or a CPA firm versed in Florida sales and use taxes. This is true even if the company has immaculate records and nothing to hide in connection with a Florida sales and use tax audit. Hiring a professional that is experienced in handling a Florida Sales and Use tax audit is an excellent way to walk you or your client through the audit process. In addition, having a Florida sales and use tax professional is invaluable in helping your company or your client’s company organize the information in a presentable manner that will help keep a sales tax assessment to a minimum.

Florida law and the verbiage on the DR-840 clearly states that the FL DOR cannot start the audit for 60 days and it must start the audit within 120 days. The 60 days is waive-able and the auditor will push for a waiver in order to get the audit moving. We generally recommend that the 60 days not be waived, but instead be used as a period in which to get all of your information organized for presentation. We call this the homework period in which the Taxpayer, if they elect to hire us, is given a checklist of homework to complete within the 60 day period.

The obvious next question is, what should I be organizing?
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