We’ve all been there. Breaking bad news is one of the hardest parts of being a tax professional. But avoiding these conversations only makes things worse.
The good news? There are ways to make this process easier. With the right approach, you can turn these tough conversations into opportunities to build trust, strengthen your reputation, and reinforce your expertise.

State Tax Planning with the “80/20 Company” Exclusion
Many multinational groups find that foreign-source dividends and other income earned by domestic affiliates are fully or partially subject to state income taxation, even where the federal system provides an exemption. This state-level “leakage” can be material – particularly in high-tax jurisdictions – and is often overlooked because the income appears sheltered at the federal level. For groups with predominantly foreign operations, a starting structure or a restructuring that causes one or more domestic affiliates to qualify as an “80/20 company” can substantially reduce or eliminate state taxation on that income.


