"One of the most important aspects of COST is that it genuinely caters to the multistate tax needs of its member companies. Providing cutting edge educational programs and publications, acting as a clearing house for SALT resources, taking amicus positions on important SALT court cases and otherwise lobbying and weighing in on leading SALT legislation."
"COST provides a platform to exchange ideas, form coalitions on critical issues that shape tax policy, and to connect with policy makers both in the private and public sector across the country."
"COST facilitates relationships between contacts in industry, state government, law and accounting practitioners, and chambers, supporting all in their career, making the field continuously rewarding.”
"The most influential nongovernmental organization in the state tax policy arena."
"COST offers high quality education opportunities, featuring the hottest topics, delivered by the nations most recognized experts."
"The environment COST fosters facilitates networking and makes it easier to connect with folks at other companies and establish career-long relationships."
The Council On State Taxation (COST) is the premier state tax organization representing taxpayers. COST is a nonprofit trade association consisting of over 500 multistate corporations engaged in interstate and international business. COST's objective is to preserve and promote equitable and nondiscriminatory state and local taxation of multijurisdictional business entities. COST was formed in 1969 by a handful of companies under the aegis of the Council of State Chambers of Commerce, an organization with which COST is still associated. That auspicious formation of COST was precipitated by the need of corporate taxpayers to be represented by a united voice on state tax issues - to counterbalance a number of organizations of state tax authorities. Over fifty years later, COST is more successful than ever as a result of the hard work of its nationally respected professional staff and the significant contributions of its Board of Directors and member companies. If you have any questions about COST, please contact Pat Reynolds, COST's Executive Director.
What Does COST Offer?
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
COST offers its members high quality education, including conferences, schools, regional meetings and special symposia, featuring the hottest topics, delivered by the nation's most recognized experts, at a price well below comparable programs. In fact, all COST conferences and seminars are priced at break-even. Attendees at our conferences find a relaxed atmosphere in which to interact with professional peers, free from solicitation pressures by tax consultants. The majority of COST programs qualify with state boards of accountancy and state bar associations for continuing education credits.
COST events include:
INVALUABLE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
One of the most often cited reasons for joining COST is the opportunity to network with other state tax professionals. The experienced state tax professional knows that the answers to the many different state tax questions are often not available through research, but are based upon years of experience and discussions with peers. COST promotes networking opportunities through its online member forum and at COST conferences and schools.
POWERFUL ADVOCACY
COST's advocacy program is oriented toward active involvement on state tax issues of broad importance to the membership. COST advocates on behalf of its membership in the legislative, judicial and administrative arenas. State and local government policymakers rely heavily on COST staff in formulating, implementing, and changing the state tax landscape. COST's reputation as the nationwide voice of corporate taxpayers has garnered respect from the leadership of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Federation of Tax Administrators, the National Governors Association, and even the Multistate Tax Commission. COST's involvement in an issue on behalf of its corporate membership signals to state leaders that the issue is one of importance. COST also serves as a resource on business tax issues to other organizations, including State Chambers of Commerce and state taxpayer associations, as those groups develop strategies to address complex state tax matters.
Specifically, the COST team disseminates information on pertinent legislative, judicial and regulatory developments through regular publications, and coordinates advocacy activities with members and other sympathetic parties. COST staff files amicus briefs with state and federal courts, provides testimony (oral and written) before legislative and administrative bodies, meets with state policymakers, and brings together interested members to enhance advocacy activities on targeted issues.
COST staff also furthers COST's advocacy agenda through frequent participation as speakers at all national state and local tax conferences, state department of revenue conferences, individual state chamber of commerce and other business organization conferences, and, of course, all COST-sponsored national and regional meetings. These programs provide the opportunity for COST staff to both promote COST's advocacy agenda to a wide audience and network with COST members and other interested parties on a frequent basis.
CRITICAL NEWS & INFORMATION
For more than 50 years, COST has been a leading source for state tax information critical to its members. COST members use a variety of ways to stay connected to industry information, including publications, newsletters, exclusive website content, forums, special reports, and current development outlines. Members have access to up-to-date information when they need it.
"COST has been a tremendous resource for me and my company. In attending the COST meetings I return back to my company with various issues to research that could add value to my tax department. I frequently use the COST member forum and the COST members as a resource for audit and controversy issues for insight I might not have considered. This is a fantastic organization and I’m proud to belong to it." Mike Halleron - Tribune Company, Chicago, IL
For questions regarding membership, please contact Judy Slotnik (202/484-5227).
