Kennesaw, October 6, 2014 ― VJI Tax Manager Chris Wiggins and Senior Tax Consultant Matt Scott attended the Institute for Professionals in Taxation Sales Tax Symposium on September 21 through September 24 at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC.

Wiggins and Scott attended many sessions over three days that offered discussions on many notable sales and use tax topics including recent legislation, judicial developments, and emerging trends in manufacturing; new tax developments in key states; the role of the federal government in state taxation, including bills pending in Congress; best practices of sales and use tax system implementations; and avoiding the tax pitfalls when planning company affiliate transactions.

“A session that had a mock appellate argument focusing on class action and qui tam actions in sales and use tax was very interesting,” says Scott. “The mock trial format was the perfect way to teach about the liability of sellers that collect more tax than legally required on consumer transactions. In fact, the whole subject of false claim suits involving whistleblowers is something that is usually not heard of until judgments are reported in the newspapers.” Wiggins also enjoyed the business management side of the symposium. “The ‘Power of Influence’ session discussed leadership research and offered practical applications including planning and executing influence opportunities. I will definitely be using what I learned at the symposium as soon as I return to the office.”