TeleStrategies' Communication Taxation '08 - The industry’s key source for communications tax accounting and Federal and State regulatory, legislative and legal proceedings.

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR - Understanding Communications Taxation

MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2008 9:00 - 4:30

Led by Jim Nason, Tax Managing Partner, Telecommunications, Deloitte Tax LLP With Deloitte Tax members: Joe Carr, Paul Chill, Mary Dressendofer, Mark Paolillo and Kathy Saxton

This intense introductory seminar covers the basics of our current tax system for communications service providers. It is aimed at getting attendees up-to-speed on communications taxation from its roots in a utility monopoly to the wide-ranging enhanced and converged services of today. This is a must for people new to the communications space or those that want a refresher of Communications Tax 101.

I. Overview of Communications Taxation

Taxation of basic local, long distance, wireless, and cable services
General taxes including gross receipts, sales, telecommunications-specific and equipment taxes

II. Sourcing and Apportioning Transaction Taxes

Understanding the Goldberg rule
State's position and formulas on interstate services
Revenue sourcing for state taxes
Apportioning private line services

III. Wireless Taxation

Sourcing of wireless services
Application of transaction taxes unique to wireless service providers

IV. Exempt Customers, Sales for Resale and Taxation

Understanding gross receipt taxes and telecommunications sale for resale exclusions and exempt customers
Key differences among the states regarding resale taxation

V. Internet and Emerging Services Taxation

Federal Internet Tax Freedom Amendments Act of 2007 – what’s new and what’s the same?
Taxation of Internet access and new/emerging services
Differences in taxation of telephone, data, TV and other related services
Taxation of transport vs. content services vs. digital media

VI. Prepaid Calling Arrangements

What are prepaid calling arrangements and what are the tax implications
Applicability of taxes and surcharges
Sourcing issues

VII. Bundled Services Taxation

What services are being bundled, how are they taxed and what are the challenges to existing tax models
What approaches are the states using to tax these bundles and what constitutes books and records

VIII. Equipment, Network & Property Taxation

Telecommunications equipment tax exemptions, equipment that qualifies for exemptions and representative state tax rules in this area.
Basics of the network infrastructure and how tax applies (or doesn’t) – get better acquainted with networks to apply basic taxation
Asset tracking – it’s hard to account for what you don’t know exists – pervasive industry practices and the tax issues they could avoid
Primer to fundamentals of property taxation and methodologies involved

IX. Income Taxation

Basic understanding of special telecommunications income taxation – states that have differing tax schemes or in-lieu-of taxes
What are the big income tax issues around sourcing and apportionment

X. Regulation, Fees, Surcharges and Other Charges (When is a Tax not a Tax?)

Basic understanding of regulatory issues, concerns and changes facing the communications company
Overview of regulatory mandates and related fees (911, USF, and more)