INDIANAPOLIS – Today Governor Mike Pence, the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Revenue host the Indiana Tax Competitiveness and Simplification Conference at the Indiana Government Center.

The conference brings together nearly 200 local and national tax experts and policy makers to focus on ways to create a more competitive business and individual tax climate in Indiana. Participants will explore fresh ideas and best practices in state taxation, resulting in recommendations and ideas for the Blue Ribbon Panel, summer study committees, and future legislative sessions.

“This conference is an excellent opportunity to examine our tax structures and find ways to make them simpler and more competitive,” said Governor Pence. “We hope to examine new ideas and proposals that will make our state attractive for new businesses, supportive of our existing businesses, and innovative when it comes to ways to generate new, high-paying jobs for Hoosiers.”

The conference includes two special presentations and seven panels examining the full range of Indiana’s tax structure. Speakers and panel members include significant academics and experts in state taxation. The full conference agenda can be found at www.in.gov/dor/5165.htm.

Hoosiers can watch the tax conference live using links found here: http://www.in.gov/dor/5170.htm. Hoosiers are also welcome to follow the Indiana Department of Revenue on Twitter @INDeptofRevenue for updates. All sessions of the conference, which runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., are open to the media and are being webcast. Recorded segments will also be available for viewing within a few hours of completion at www.in.gov/dor/5123.htm.

Hoosiers have been encouraged to share their ideas and suggest recommendations about modification to our state tax structures. Input for consideration during the conference can be submitted at www.in.gov/dor/5120.htm. These comments are posted for public discussion at www.in.gov/dor/5121.htm.