B-21/03
September 3, 2003

[Registration Form] [Preliminary Program]

FTA MOTOR FUEL TAX ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE
Albany Marriott Hotel
Albany, New York
December 14-18, 2003

To State Tax Administrators:

• FTA and New York State, with the participation of state tax agencies and the petroleum industry, are offering the Motor Fuel Tax Advanced Level course December 14-18, 2003, at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, New York. This bulletin includes the preliminary program and provides training course and hotel registration information.
  
  Requirements to Attend the Course
  Participants must have basic knowledge of the motor fuel industry and experience working with motor fuel tax records and returns. Participants cannot be new to the motor fuel tax area. A calculator and pencils are required for this course.
  
  Advanced Training Course
  The advanced course is designed for experienced motor fuel administrators, auditors, investigators and employees of state and federal governments and the petroleum industry. The instructors will be state and petroleum industry employees with expertise in motor fuel audits and investigations. The advanced fuel training course is structured as follows:
  
• Participants will be introduced to working with taxpayers’ sales records to prepare monthly state tax returns using FTA Uniform Forms and Instructions.
• Participants will review returns as a basis for preliminary evaluation of information from the perspective of the state return processing and reconciliation.
• Participants will be introduced to audit techniques that facilitate the tracking of fuel transactions between dealers and tracking of tax and payment of those taxes.
• Participants will be introduced to interviewing techniques and provided with information required to document findings and evaluate possible criminal activity.

All participants will receive a training manual, reference materials, and a certificate of completion. A preliminary program of the advanced training is attached.

Course Registration
The course fee of $450.00 per registrant will cover the costs of instructors, coffee breaks, and other expenses. States receiving federal funds, as participants in regional motor fuel tax enforcement task forces, may use those funds to pay travel expenses and registration fees for their employees. A registration form is enclosed; upon completion, please fax (202) 624-7888 or mail it with your check (made payable to Federation of Tax Administrators) to:

Federation of Tax Administrators
444 N. Capitol Street, NW – Suite 348
Washington, DC 20001

The deadline for submitting registration for this course is November 22, 2003.

Hotel Registration
The rate at the Albany Marriott Hotel is $96 single/double plus 11.25% tax per night. Make your reservations directly with the hotel by calling (800) 443-8952. Make certain to inform the clerk that you will be attending the Federation of Tax Administrators Training Course to receive the special rate. Please note that the cut-off date for hotel reservations is November 22, 2003. The hotel’s address is 189 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205.

Transportation
The hotel has complimentary shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. Just use the courtesy phone at baggage claim.

Albany Area
Any questions about the Albany area, including attractions or transportation, may be directed to Peter Ramo or Ted Lackner at (518) 485-8253 or send them an e-mail at pramo@tax.state.ny.us or tlackner@tax.state.ny.us

If you have any questions, please call Cindy Anders-Robb at (307) 632-4144 or send an e-mail to: cindy.anders-robb@taxadmin.org

Sincerely,

Harley T. Duncan
Executive Director

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FTA MOTOR FUEL TAX ADVANCED TRAINING
Albany, New York
December 14-18, 2003

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

SUNDAY
December 14, 2003

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration

MONDAY
December 15, 2003

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Morning Refreshments

8:30 a.m. – Noon
Introduction and Welcome
Cindy Anders-Robb, Federation of Tax Administrators

Instructors:
Peter Steffens, Florida Dept. of Revenue
Carol Player, South Carolina Dept. of Revenue
Bob Bray, Ohio Dept. of Revenue
Cindy Anders-Robb, Federation of Tax Administrators

Participants will be introduced to working with taxpayers’ sales records to prepare monthly state tax returns using FTA Uniform Forms and Instructions.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)

1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Continuation from the morning session working with taxpayers’ sales records preparing monthly state tax returns.

TUESDAY
December 16, 2003

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Morning Refreshments

8:30 a.m. – Noon
Participants will review returns as a basis for preliminary evaluation of information from the perspective of the state return processing and reconciliation.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)

1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Participants will be introduced to audit techniques that facilitate the tracking of fuel transactions between dealers and tracking of tax and payment of those taxes.

WEDNESDAY
December 17, 2003

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Morning Refreshments

8:30 a.m. – Noon
Continuation of tracking fuel transactions through the motor fuel distribution chain.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Continuation of tracking fuel transactions through the motor fuel distribution chain.

THURSDAY
December 18, 2003

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Morning Refreshments

8:30 a.m. – Noon
Continuation of tracking fuel transactions through the motor fuel distribution chain.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)

1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Participants will be introduced to interviewing techniques and provided with information required to document findings and evaluate possible criminal activity.

Participants will participate in the wrap-up discussing ways and methods to improve motor fuel tax administration, both industry and tax authority, to minimize opportunities for fraud and evasion. Identify and discuss successes, failures and new ideas.

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