The SALT Shaker Podcast

Hosted by Eversheds Sutherland

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

State and local tax jurisdictions continue to evolve their tax systems around the US. Analyzing the latest key decisions, legislative and regulatory changes, and revenue agency guidance, the Eversheds Sutherland SALT Team focuses on providing tax professionals with a quick update of the most important developments in US state and local tax. The SALT Shaker Podcast helps tax professionals navigate growing challenges in the evolving tax systems of state and local jurisdictions.

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60 recent

August 4, 202633 min

California's sales tax expansion: What businesses need to know

California has enacted one of its most significant sales tax changes in decades, expanding the state's sales tax base to include electronically delivered and remotely accessed software. In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, hosts and Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor are joined by Partners Michele Borens and Charlie Kearns , both of whom bring extensive state tax legislative experience and insight into the policymaking process, to discuss Senate Bill 122 and its far-reaching implications for taxpayers. They examine California's historical treatment of software and digital products, the budget pressures that helped drive the legislation, and the unusually rapid legislative process that led to the bill's enactment. The conversation also explores the law's unique structure, key definitions and exclusions, multiple points of use provisions, and the significant compliance challenges businesses may face before the law takes effect. Plus, the group weighs in on whether swimming is overrated or underrated, both as a sport and a summertime activity. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

July 21, 202626 min

Protecting tax data in the age of AI

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor welcome Deepa Menon , a fellow partner in the firm's Tax Practice Group who focuses her practice on privacy, cybersecurity and AI issues. Together, they discuss the data that tax departments hold, the tension between tax authorities' potential requirements for greater data retention and privacy laws that favor limiting such retention and exposure, and the increasing requests by tax authorities for personal information during audits. Deepa explains why tax departments are increasingly subject to privacy obligations, how organizations can balance tax reporting requirements with data minimization principles, and the practical steps companies can take when responding to data requests. She also examines how AI is reshaping privacy and cybersecurity risks, highlighting the importance of vendor oversight, contractual protections and internal AI governance. To close out the episode, the group weighs in on a pressing non-tax question: Are party favors overrated or underrated? For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

June 30, 202624 min

Welcoming Greg Matson: A pretty slick SALT career

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partner Jeff Friedman sits down with Counsel Greg Matson to discuss his move to Eversheds Sutherland and reflect on a career spanning nearly every corner of state and local tax. Greg shares insights from his time leading the Multistate Tax Commission (MTC), including the organization's core programs and its push for greater uniformity in state tax laws. Their conversation also highlights a notable shift toward collaboration between states and the business community, as well as key projects like the MTC's work on partnership audit rules. The episode walks through Greg's career path, from the IRS and DC Office of Tax and Revenue to taxpayer advocacy at TEI, before closing with some personal reflections, military service stories, and a lighthearted debate on airport moving walkways. Don't forget to check out Greg's SALT Pet of the Month feature , starring his one‑eyed parrot, Slick. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

June 17, 202620 min

From ads to assets: Illinois' expanding tax base

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor are joined by Counsel Charles Capouet to break down Illinois' sweeping new tax legislation passed at the close of its legislative session, and signed by Governor Pritzker on Tuesday, June 16. The group walks through several significant new taxes targeting the digital economy, including the newest state to impose a targeted advertising services tax, a new social media platform fee, and a first-of-its-kind digital asset privilege tax on cryptocurrency activity. They break down how Illinois' targeted advertising tax compares to similar regimes in Maryland and elsewhere, including key definitions, exemptions, and the importance of programmatic advertising concepts in determining taxability in Illinois. The conversation highlights the broader trend of states pushing into digital and emerging markets, and the resulting litigation and policy questions. The episode also includes a rapid-fire overview of other notable provisions in the Illinois budget legislation, including expanded taxation of prediction markets and fantasy contests, as well as new limitations on corporate net operating loss carryovers. The episode concludes with an overrated/underrated debate on s'mores, and the proper way to toast a marshmallow. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

June 2, 202624 min

New York's budget: What didn't happen says as much as what did

The long-awaited New York State budget Governor Hochul signs New York FY 2027 Budget into law | SALT Shaker Governor Hochul signs New York FY 2027 Budget into law | SALT Shaker has arrived, and while it may not have produced major headline-grabbing tax increases, there's plenty beneath the surface worth unpacking. In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor are joined by Ken Pokalsky , Vice President of Government Affairs at The Business Council of New York State , to break down what made it into the budget, what didn't – and how the budget's tax provisions will impact New York taxpayers moving forward. Ken shares an insider's perspective from Albany, exploring why this year's negotiations stretched well past the April 1 deadline, how competing political priorities shaped the final deal, and why, in his words, the takeaway might be: "It could have been worse." The conversation also touches on early warning signs for next year's budget cycle. And, of course, the episode wraps with a lighthearted debate on whether punctuality is overrated or underrated. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

May 27, 202619 min

Curly fries and conjunctive tests: Business income, explained

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor break down the business versus non-business income divide. They also explore how the Multistate Tax Commission's recommended shift in terminology – from business/non-business income to apportionable/non-apportionable income – refocuses the analysis on whether income is constitutionally apportionable. Chelsea and Jeremy then walk through the two key tests used in determining business income: the transactional test and the functional test, and how these tests often overlap. Their discussion centers on the Arkansas Supreme Court's recent decision in Hudson v. US Beef , involving the sale of franchise operations. The court found the gains from the sale were non-business income under the three requirements in Arkansas' business income definition. Chelsea and Jeremy also unpack the dissent, which argued the majority improperly blended the functional and transactional tests, underscoring how fact-specific – and potentially blurred – this analysis can be. The episode concludes with key takeaways on applying these tests across jurisdictions, along with an overrated/underrated debate on summer staples. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

May 14, 202617 min

Federal preemption primer: The Supremacy Clause and state tax limits

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor introduce federal preemption and how the Supremacy Clause limits state taxing authority. When federal and state laws conflict, federal law controls, requiring state law to give way. Jeremy and Chelsea outline the two types of preemption: express and implied. Drawing on examples from technology, services, and digital advertising taxes, the discussion highlights the continued importance, and active litigation, surrounding preemption in the SALT space. You can follow along with the discussion using Congress's "preemption taxonomy" chart, linked here . The episode concludes with a brief overrated/underrated debate on the Oxford comma. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

April 28, 202616 min

A Texas two-step on franchise tax: Lessons from NuStar and American Airlines

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor break down two noteworthy Texas franchise tax decisions that provide important guidance on sourcing and federal preemption. The hosts first discuss NuStar Energy LP v. Hancock , a Texas Supreme Court decision addressing how receipts from the sale of tangible personal property are sourced for franchise tax purposes. The court held that receipts are sourced to Texas based on where the property is delivered to the buyer, rejecting an "ultimate use" or consumption-based approach, even where the property (bunker fuel) could not legally be used in Texas. They then turn to Hancock v. American Airlines , where a Texas appellate court concluded that the federal Anti‑Head Tax Act preempts application of the Texas franchise tax to certain airline revenue streams. The court determined that, despite being styled as a margin tax, the franchise tax functions as a tax on gross receipts from air transportation, bringing it within the scope of federal preemption. The episode wraps up with an overrated/underrated debate on standing desks. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

April 14, 202613 min

Shedding light on tax administration through FOIA

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, hosts and Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor welcome Lauren Loricchio , Investigations Editor at Tax Notes , to discuss the publication's long‑standing commitment to government transparency and access to primary tax materials. Lauren traces the origins of Tax Notes back to its 1972 lawsuit against the IRS, which paved the way for public access to the Service's private letter rulings. She explains how her team continues that mission through its newly launched monthly newsletter, FOIA Findings , which uses the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other open records laws to shed light on tax policy and tax administration. Their discussion explores the realities of the FOIA process – including delays, redactions, and litigation – and why access to original source material remains critical for tax practitioners, academics, and others monitoring tax administration and enforcement. The episode wraps up with a seasonal overrated/underrated segment: What are your thoughts on wearing shorts? For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .

March 31, 202615 min

A "third way" forward: Declaratory judgments in state tax disputes

In this episode of the SALT Shaker Podcast, Partners Jeremy Gove and Chelsea Marmor sit down with Counsel Charles Capouet to discuss his recent article in Tax Notes State on the use of declaratory judgments to challenge unconstitutional state taxes. Charles explains how declaratory judgments can serve as a "third way" to contest a tax, allowing taxpayers to seek an early, definitive ruling on a tax's legality, often before experiencing significant financial impact. Interest in these actions is growing as states continue to adopt novel taxes that raise unresolved constitutional questions, and the conversation explores how this approach can benefit both taxpayers and states by providing greater certainty and helping avoid budget disruptions tied to later refunds. The group also discusses the limitations of declaratory judgment actions, which are typically confined to facial constitutional challenges and permitted only in certain states. The episode concludes with a timely "overrated/underrated" segment where the group discusses Opening Day of baseball. For questions or comments, email SALTonline@eversheds-sutherland.com . Subscribe to receive regular updates hosted on the SALT Shaker blog .