The telecommunications industry is fast-changing. Technology advancements—including the still-developing Internet of Things and 5G—are seemingly constant, presenting new opportunities and challenges with regard to doing business. Oftentimes, the introduction of new technology also impacts tax policy, and by extension, your tax strategies as they relate to sales and use, income, and property tax.

Companies are known to have multiple sets of books when it comes to depreciation, and it’s not only legal but required to meet all of your tax and accounting compliance requirements. The first two sets of books companies are required to keep are for income tax purposes (IRS) and accounting depreciation (financial accounting). In property tax we primarily deal with accounting depreciation and what is known as appraisal depreciation.

Without a doubt, all tax departments—income, sales and use, and property tax—make a unique contribution to a company’s bottom line. But as a former director of property tax at a large corporation, I can also attest to the fact that all corporate tax functions are interrelated. In fact, I’d argue that joint strategizing between all tax departments can actually have a greater impact on profitability than any one single tax department can make on its own.