David Somerville
Director of Tax Policy
David Somerville
Director of Tax Policy
Former Texas Comptroller Supervisor of Sales Tax Policy & Tax Policy Expert, 25 YearsContact
Email: david.somerville@TexasTaxGroup.comEDUCATION
B.A. in Political Science – Texas A&M University, 1980
PRACTICE AREAS
- Tax Policy
- Administrative Hearings/Independent Audit Reviews
- Audit Defense
- Managed Audits
- Private Letter Rulings
- Voluntary Disclosure Agreements
- Streamlined Sales & Use Tax Agreement
- Refunds
- Multi-state Tax and Nexus Issues
- High-tech Industry including data processing and information service providers
- Manufacturing Industry
- Oil & Gas Industry
- Telecommunications Industry
- Sales and Use Tax
- Local Sales and Use Tax
- Franchise Tax
- Motor Vehicle Tax
- Hotel Tax
EXPERIENCE
Texas Tax Group (2018-present)
- Director of Tax Policy
Somerville State Tax Consulting (2017-present)
- Owner/Consultant
Grant Thornton, LLP (2007-2017)
- Experienced Tax Manager – Managed projects and resolved state sales and use tax and franchise tax issues for numerous clients from all industries. Drafted articles for Grant Thornton SALT Alerts and served as a subject matter expert for Texas taxes. Participated in Streamlined Sales Tax meetings for Grant Thornton.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (1982-2007)
- Supervisor of Sales Tax Policy (2005-2007) – Managed Sales Tax Policy Section of approximately 20 employees in Texas Comptroller’s Office
- Tax Policy Specialist (1991-2005) – Reviewer of taxability letter rulings and drafted numerous sales and use tax administrative rules. Worked with hearing attorneys and Attorney General Office attorneys on administrative hearings and court cases. Provided taxability training to Comptroller personnel. Researched legislation and responded with taxability letter rulings to taxpayers. Represented Texas Comptroller at Streamlined Sales Tax meetings and served on committees of the Streamlined State and Local Tax Advisory Council working on amendments to the Streamlined Agreement.
- Tax Specialist in Tax Assistance (1985-1991) – Responded to taxability inquiries by phone and worked account correspondence and penalty and interest waivers.
- Enforcement Officer (1982-1985) – Worked in Bryan Field Office providing assistance to taxpayers and performing tax enforcement responsibilities.
United States Army (1975-1978)
- Volunteered and served in 372nd Army Security Agency Company in 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Member – Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT)
- Completed IPT Sales Tax School I and School II
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Speaker/Instructor for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Speaker/Instructor for Grant Thornton LLP
- Speaker at Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) sales tax seminars
- Speaker at Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TTARA) annual meeting
- Speaker at American Bar Association meeting
- Speaker at Texas Municipal League meeting
- Testified for Texas Comptroller at committee meetings of Texas Legislature
PUBLICATIONS
- Written articles for Texas Comptroller’s Tax Policy News
- Written articles for Grant Thornton’s SALT Alerts