NOTE: The following was sent from the State of Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue and the University of Tennessee - Knoxville will co-sponsor the annual 2008 Tennessee Business Tax Seminar on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the UT Conference Center, located at 600 Henley Street, Suite 400, Knoxville, Tenn., 37902.
This seminar is designed to provide current, in-depth information on Tennessee tax issues. State tax specialists will present recent developments in legislation and discuss various tax types and exemptions including business, sales and use, gift and inheritance, individual income and tangible personal property. A breakout session allows attendees the choice to learn about unemployment tax and unclaimed property or franchise and excise taxes.
Individuals who attend the seminar will be provided with comprehensive materials covering these topics and will have the opportunity to ask questions. Continuing Professional Education (CPE), Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits may be obtained for these sessions through the sponsoring university. Each seminar has a registration fee. Please visit www.utconferences.com to register and confirm the cost of participating.
Seminars are also offered in Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Cookeville, Clarksville and Johnson City. For more information, please visit www.Tennessee.gov/revenue or call the Tennessee Department of Revenue at (615) 253-0600.
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the department collected $11 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.Tennessee.gov/revenue.
University of Tennessee President John Petersen and James Haslam II, Chairman of Pilot Corp., are among the most influential Tennesseans, according to a Power100 list released by Business TN Magazine.
Other notable East Tennesseans who made the list include entertainer and entrepreneur Dolly Parton, Jim Clayton, founder of Clayton Homes; Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot Corp.; Bill Sansom, Chairman and CEO of H.T. Hackney Co.; Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam; and Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt.
While the list includes individuals from many different careers, including politicians, business leaders, entertainers and community icons, they all carry large influence and have deep ties to the local community.
Business TN remarks that this list is unique in that one half of the leaders on this list have remained there for all five years. However, 20 percent of the people on last years list did not return this year.
In addition to Knoxville getting high marks for an individual cities' achievements, Site Selection Magazine has honored Tennessee and Governor Phil Bredesen in its Governor's Cup rankings.
Tennessee had the third highest total of new or expanded capital projects in the previous year in the United States.
Ohio had the most projects, 399, followed by Illinois with 362 and Tennessee with 293.
According to the state's website, Bredesen said, “This is good news for Tennessee, and confirms that our state continues to build on its reputation as one of the most business-friendly states in the country. Site Selection’s Governor’s Cup rankings reflect Tennessee’s commitment to driving economic growth and developing a world class workforce through education and training.”
Rhonda Rice, Executive Vice President of the Knoxville Chamber, told the Knoxville News Sentinel that, "Any time that you can show that your state and your region (are) doing well, it's a great message to sell to other potential companies that might be looking to relocate to the area or that might be considering expansion."
Read the story on the State of Tennessee's economic and community development website.
Three Tennessee businesses, East Tech Company, Inc.; Mike Collins & Associates, Inc.; and Neely's BBQ are Blue Ribbon winners in the US Chamber's Small Business of the Year contest.
East Tech Company and Mike Collins & Associates are from Chattanooga. Neely's BBQ is in Memphis. They are among 55 small businesses competing for the Regional Awards in March and, from there, the Small Business of the Year Award in April.
According to the US Chamber, "the Small Business Blue Ribbon Award highlights businesses that demonstrate excellence in a variety of selection criteria, including financial performance and business history, staff training and motivation, community involvement, customer service, and business planning."
Read more about the Small Business of the Year awards, including important dates in the contest.
Tennessee has earned a top-five ranking in a recent study by the American Legislative Exchange Council for having low business and property taxes, minimum wages, and a right-to-work status.
See Tennessee's score card in various economic areas. See the report cards for other states and learn more about the study.
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