Welcome and Introductions

Brian Brown, Senior Strategic Partner Manager, Avalara
Joseph N. Mariano, CEO & President, Direct Selling Association
John W. Webb, Senior Legal Counsel for Policy, Advocacy and Compliance, Direct Selling Association
Jon Whitenight, Partner Sales Manager, Avalara

Streamlined Tax – How They Collect and Remit Them

Currently, 45 states and the District of Columbia impose a sales tax and a compensating use tax. America’s sales and use tax system, with 7,500 state and local taxing jurisdictions across the country, is antiquated, complex, and cumbersome to businesses. The Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP) is an effort by state governments, with input from local governments and the private sector, to completely overhaul the existing sales and use tax system. Hear from tax professionals who work with the SSTP on a daily basis.

Break

Corporate Income, Franchise Tax and Nexus Issues (Tax)

Corporate income and franchise tax laws and their application by state departments of revenue are constantly changing. Some states have aggressively claimed nexus for state tax purposes.  This session will help explain the difference between “economics” and “traditional” nexus. It will help corporate finance teams recognize what nexus rules apply uniquely to direct sellers as opposed to other e-commerce businesses. Learn about developments your company needs to know to stay in compliance with the myriad state taxing jurisdictions, including:

• Recent court decisions
• Pending litigation and possible future cases
• Recently enacted legislation

Christine Martin, Senior Partner Alliance Manager, Phocas Software 

Nexus and Sales Tax Compliance – What Direct Sellers Need to Know

Charles Maniace, Vice President, Regulatory Analysis & Design, Sovos

The Finance Leader’s Guide to Tax Compliance Strategy

Sponsored by

This session will focus on the issues that are at the forefront of the minds of CFOs and other accounting professionals. From taxes to sales to international expansion, a host of topics will be discussed by industry executives. Learn the key issues they focus on to protect their companies and strategies to employ for optimal tax compliance.

Jimmy Lin, Chief Financial Officer, Damsel in Defense
Laurie McDonough, Global Vice President for Tax, ACN
Mark Ostler, Chief Financial Officer, 4Life Research
Colt Passey, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Nexio

Closing

Welcome and Introductions

Adolfo Franco, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Direct Selling Association
Colt Passey, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Nexio
John W. Webb, Senior Legal Counsel for Policy, Advocacy and Compliance, Direct Selling Association

Tax Compliance for the Holiday Season 

Long before the holiday lights and seasonal music make their appearance in stores, retailers are busy preparing for the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year. Our presenters are tuned in to the special compliance issues direct sellers face because of holidays — not just during peak retail days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but also in the months before, when all the hard work of preparation gets done.

Diana DiBello, Solutions Consultant, Avalara
Jimmy Lin, Chief Financial Officer, Damsel in Defense
Colt Passey, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Nexio

Hostess Credits/Use Tax

Hostesses like to party, not manage sales tax. Understanding the tax obligations that arise with free products, half-off items and using hostess (reward) credits are just a few challenges that are unique to direct sellers. Take a deep dive into the considerations necessary to develop a tax compliance plan for these scenarios.

Diana DiBello, Solutions Consultant, Avalara

Break

Strategies for Distributor Tax Compliance

Companies want their salesforce focused on selling, not worried about Uncle Sam and the tax bill.  Learn ways to help you salesforce comply with the labyrinth of rules and regulation small business most content with.

• Good record keeping techniques
• Responding to inquiries and audits
• Top mistakes made by distributors
• Income reporting of bonus/incentive trips and products

Joe DePetris, Certified Public Accountant, One Source Tax Management LLC

Distributorships and Audit Red Flags: What They Are, How to Spot Them and Navigating the Audit Process

No one wants them, but audits are inevitable. Learn strategies from leading experts about preparation for potential audits, how to respond during an audit and how to manage the aftermath of an audit.

Colt Passey, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Nexio
Trevor Thatcher, Controller, LifeVantage

Closing

Welcome and Introductions

Brian Bennett, Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy
Ray Chipman, Partner, Squire
John W. Webb, Senior Legal Counsel for Policy, Advocacy and Compliance, Direct Selling Association

International Tax Issues

We’ll discuss the most critical business and tax considerations for direct selling companies marketing and selling their products abroad. Our speakers will cover:

• The legal presence and contractual standpoints of selling in a foreign market
• An overview of the U.S., local and foreign tax issues that must be adhered to, as well as applicable tax treaties
• Legal structure and limited liability protection when dealing in foreign markets

Richard Asquith, Vice President of Global and Direct Tax, Avalara
Joe Hillstead, Manager, Squire

Sales Tax Risks in the Supply Chain

The supply chain is one of the trickiest areas to navigate in the world of tax compliance. The modules in your backoffice solution correlate with activities in the supply chain, the same way sales tax compliance obligations do. This can expose your business to audit risks in areas that might not be obvious. Creating a tax-efficient procurement process is the best way to protect your business in this often high-risk audit environment. This session will cover how to handle:

• Transfer pricing and the impact on duties—when the company is selling NFR verse OTG the pros and cons
• Tax De Minimis on NFR Shipments
• Products being sold both OTG and NFR on a single order (sold from both a domestic and international entity)
• Some products can’t be registered
• New products yet to be registered
• Unique tax rules and limitations in some markets
• Supply limitations
• Dollar amount limitations
• HTS code impacts
• Keeping up on changes
• Getting the right HTS code and doing product clearance in advance

Michael McClellan, Vice President, Sales Global Access
Craig Reed, Senior Vice President of Global Trade, Avalara

Break

Expanding to Canada? Talk Taxes First!

Our neighbor to the north is one of the first foreign markets that U.S.-based direct selling companies consider when expanding internationally. However, despite the numerous similarities between the U.S. and Canada, there are many differences, including taxes. Learn about these dangers before leaping in, including:

• Differences in tax treatment among the provinces
• Exchange rates
• Import/export issues

Robert G. Kreklewetz, Partner, Millar & Kreklewetz

Alcohol Shipping: Opportunities and Challenges

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated existing trends that were already pointing to more eCommerce, direct shipping, delivery and pickup. Learn about the latest trends around direct shipping and the complexities that come with a highly regulated industry. Bring your questions about selling alcohol to consumers and learn about the opportunities and challenges that DTC shipping present.

Jeff Carroll, General Manager, Beverage Alcohol, Avalara

Duplicate 1099 Reporting to the IRS May Be Required for Direct Sellers for 2020 – ON DEMAND SESSION Q&A

For 2020 tax reporting season, the IRS has resurrected Form 1099-NEC for businesses reporting nonemployee compensation payments. At the same time, the agency also overhauled Form 1099-MISC for reporting other income. As a result, many Direct Sellers are realizing that they may need to report two 1099 forms to the same recipient for this season.

• When do Direct Sellers need to issue Form 1099-NEC versus Form 1099-MISC?
• What can Direct Sellers expect from the IRS to help alleviate the duplicate tax reporting burden?
• How are state tax jurisdictions implementing these changes?

Learn About:

• How to read and report Form 1099-NEC
• How the 1099-NEC impacts 1099-MISC reporting, backup withholding and state reporting
• How to update your 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC reporting processes and prevent errors

Brian Bennett, Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy
Gerry Nelligan, Regulatory Analysis, Sovos
Wendy Walker, Solution Principal, Sovos

Make sure you watch in advance to participate in the question and answer portion:

Closing

Brian Bennett, Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy
John W. Webb, Senior Legal Counsel for Policy, Advocacy and Compliance, Direct Selling Association