On September 17, 2009, Jones Walker will host a state and local tax seminar in Houston, Texas, titled "Louisiana State & Local Taxes for Texans." The all-day seminar, which will be taught largely by members of Jones Walker's State & Local Tax team, is designed to provide attendees with the latest information regarding the hottest topics in Louisiana state and local taxation, and will provide guidance in navigating those murky waters for those doing business in Louisiana. This program will be directed toward individuals with moderate to extensive experience with state and local tax matters.

The morning program will focus on important sales tax issues. Using the case-study method, the speakers will lead a discussion of the most troubling issues facing tax professionals who must deal with Louisiana State and local sales taxes. At lunch, Carolyn Shantz and Mark Young with the firm of Alvarez and Marsal will address the ticklish issues related to compliance with FAS 5 and FIN 48. During the afternoon sessions, the Jones Walker faculty will update the class on the latest developments in Louisiana income and franchise taxation, with an emphasis on current audit and litigation issues. In addition, as anyone who practices in Louisiana state and local taxation knows, there are many procedural obstacles that often frustrate taxpayers and lead to additional cost.

The speakers will address the trickiest procedural aspects of Louisiana state and local taxation and update the class on how to avoid the procedural pitfalls and protect claims. The program will close with a timely update on legislation recently enacted by the Louisiana Legislature. The 2009 Regular Session of the Legislature was a fiscal session, meaning that all aspects of state and local taxation were germane. There were a number of tax-related bills considered, and companies that do business in Louisiana need to know what the Legislature did.

The program aims to help participants learn how to:

• Identify sourcing of sales for Louisiana state and local sales and use tax
• Determine the "cost price" and "sales price” for sales and use tax purposes
• Identify processes and procedures for documenting and reporting transactions
• Identify current Louisiana income and franchise tax issues facing businesses operating in Louisiana
• Evaluate procedural options for handling audits; respond to proposed and formal assessments; handle administrative and judicial appeals; and protect claims and address differences between state and local tax procedures
• Navigate the Louisiana Amnesty Program
• Understand recently enacted legislation relative to Louisiana state and local taxation

For more information on the program, or to register to attend, please view the seminar brochure.