Advocacy

Audit Sampling Analysis and Evaluation Services

Ryan’s industry-leading Sampling Analysis and Evaluation service has significant influence on the statistical and non-statistical sampling methods used by many taxing authorities. Our Sampling Analysis and Evaluation professionals work directly with clients on audit sampling issues, as well as support Ryan engagement teams with training and advice, the development of audit sampling plans and evaluations of samples, and preparing and analyzing population data files in preparation of sampling for auditing.

Leveraging years of experience comprehending the structure and methodology of audit examinations, we develop strategic tax reduction techniques that include expanded audit samples, post-audit stratification, and differential analysis, among others. It is our combined knowledge of tax law, audit strategy and methodology, and our emphasis on technical expertise, that help guarantee our representation is unmatched by any other firm.

Ryan provides our clients with solutions for all of their sampling analysis and evaluation needs, including:

• Design of audit sampling plans for our clients when the audit population consists of a large number of transactions
• Development and implementation of alternative sampling and statistical methodologies where state procedures are nonexistent, inadequate, or insufficient for audit sampling purposes
• Evaluation of audit sampling plans and methodologies proposed by state auditors to ensure that our clients' interests are protected during tax audits
• Presentations on sampling and statistical methods appropriate for sales and use tax audits to taxpayers, auditors, and professional organizations such as the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) and the Tax Executives Institute (TEI)
• Production of a comprehensive report that documents the development of every sampling plan created by the practice for its clients. The documentation process includes archiving all relevant files and databases, and the ability to replicate all random samples if requested by state auditors

State Tax Refund Services

At Ryan, we don’t simply review our clients’ records for tax recovery and tax-saving opportunities; we scour them. We understand the complex environments in which our clients operate. We understand the unique provisions of the tax codes in the jurisdictions where they conduct business. We stay current with the latest rulings and changes in tax law as they apply to our clients’ businesses. And our efforts translate into significant tax savings and superior results for our clients.  Simply put, our commitment to excellence and utilization of sophisticated technology ensure that we’re more thorough, efficient, and effective than our competitors.

Ryan professionals target every possible tax refund and reduction opportunity for our clients. We commit every day to sifting through, drilling down, and peeling back the intricacies of federal, state, local and international tax to discover truly significant recovery opportunities. And we focus on reducing our clients’ tax liabilities with minimum disruption to their operations, requiring only limited effort from their personnel.

Tax Research Services

Ryan’s Tax Research services cut through complicated and constantly changing state and local tax rules to uncover the issues that truly matter to our clients. Our researchers not only analyze the law, they evaluate and verify individual circumstances to apply the law to each possible scenario.

Our seasoned professionals are well versed in preparing tax matrices for all types of industries, writing opinion letters on the tax consequences of complex and unusual transactions, preparing requests for administrative rulings on intricate issues, determining nexus and filing requirements, and reviewing specific transactions to ensure that our tax decision solutions are accurate and consistent. Additionally, we provide research and update services to the taxability matrices we develop.

Services Provided

Ryan has an experienced team of professionals that research complex and evolving tax issues, legislation, and developments to identify and address the potential tax implications of multi-jurisdictional operations. Our Tax Research services include:

• Nexus determinations and filing requirements
• Opinion letters
• Requests for administrative rulings
• System configurations
• Tax matrices
• Training

Voluntary Disclosure and Registration Services

Ryan’s Voluntary Disclosure and Registration services assist corporations in negotiating voluntary disclosure agreements (VDAs) with the most favorable results possible. We have experts in each tax specialty who have assisted clients with VDAs in many jurisdictions. We assist clients with single or multiple negotiation requirements, involving one or multiple tax issues. Ryan professionals have years of experience and maintain constant contact with the tax jurisdictions to ensure the most up-to-date VDA information is readily available to our clients. 

As part of any engagement with a client, we first analyze all of the facts attributed to the business and activities taking place in a respective jurisdiction. We then work with our client to determine potential exposure and possible methods to minimize that exposure. This process might entail determining whether a client’s customers have accrued and remitted tax, the customers’ current audit status, and possible back billing of taxes. We customize each project to maximize client value and simultaneously interact with multiple jurisdictions, so we can efficiently complete the engagement. In all instances, our clients receive a closing agreement or a signed agreement with each tax jurisdiction to clearly define their exposure.

Services Provided

Ryan assists clients in registering and settling past taxes, if applicable, and paying the correct amount required under each jurisdiction’s VDA program. We are often able to negotiate prospective agreements when our client’s fact pattern presents the opportunity. Our Voluntary Disclosure and Registration services include:

• Customer examinations for tax accrued, remitted, and audit status
• Exposure identification and calculation
• Payment remittance
• Prospective agreement negotiation
• Registration and past tax settlement
• Tax minimization strategies