The Role of Trade Associations and Coalitions in Forming State Tax Policy

Stephen Kranz and Diann Smith discussed the importance of trade associations and coalitions in forming state tax policy. “Most people fail to … understand that trade associations, coalitions, and individual companies can play an important role in influencing what revenue departments do, what legislative bodies do,” Mr. Kranz said. Ms. Smith agreed that “state trade associations are a great way for either single taxpayers — or, in many cases, even better, a coalition of taxpayers or taxpayer trade associations — to participate [in] coming forward with ideas …on some type of policy or legislative changes.”