Baltimore-Washington Chapter Looks at Outsourcing, State and Local Tax Issues.

TEI's Baltimore-Washington Chapter held its first chapter meeting of the 1999-2000 program year on September 29. Sixty-five members and guests heard Richard Larsen, James Keene, and Jay Levine of Ernst & Young discuss current trends in outsourcing the tax function as well as ideas for ensuring that your company's management properly values the services that your department provides. Following the presentation was a panel discussion that included the E&Y representatives as well as two member of the chapter, Martin Levine and James Butler, whose companies recently outsourced the tax function, and chapter president Donald Rightnour. The E&Y speakers focused on how to demonstrate the value the tax department provides to the company as well as instances where outsourcing may be the better value to your company. The importance of communication between tax and management as well as working proactively to anticipate problems was stressed. Also emphasized was the need for the tax department to be viewed as a strategic player in managing the company as opposed to being considered just a cost center. Attending members seemed to appreciate the presentations of what has become a current and contentious issue with many member companies. A reception for all attendees followed the meeting.

State and Local Issues

The Baltimore-Washington Chapter's second meeting was held October 20 at the...