In what should be a positive development for taxpayers, Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Larry Walther announced today the appointment of Charlie Collins as the new Commissioner of Revenue.  With his background in business and politics, Commissioner Collins brings a fresh viewpoint to an important position—essentially the lead state tax administrator for Arkansas—that has historically been filled by individuals who “came up through the ranks” in the DFA Revenue Division.

Recall that the previous Commissioner, Walter Anger, resigned suddenly at the end of August, capping off a 29-year career with DFA.  Assistant Commissioner Paul Gehring has been a steady hand as Acting Commissioner in the interim.

Commissioner Collins comes from a political and business background.  For the last two years he has served at high levels in state government, as Budget and Policy Manager for DFA (thus on the budget side, not tax administration) and then as Chief Innovative Officer and Legislative Liaison for the Department of Transformation and Shared Services.  Previously he was a four-term State Representative from Northwest Arkansas, including a stint as Chair of the House Revenue & Taxation Committee.  While in the legislature, he advocated for tax cuts and reforms and other pro-growth policies.  Before politics and government, Commissioner Collins held various business executive roles in Northwest Arkansas. 

At the macro level, Commissioner Collins’s history of pro-growth policy advocacy bodes well for further tax reforms to increase state competitiveness.  At the micro level, it will be interesting to see the impact of a change at the top on day-to-day tax administration and determinations.  Anecdotally, there has been a sense among taxpayers and tax professionals that DFA has become more aggressive in asserting taxability and denying exemptions in recent years.

Commissioner Collins will provide comments at lunch at the State Chamber’s Arkansas Tax Conference next Tuesday, November 19.  It will provide taxpayers an early chance to hear his perspectives on tax policy and administration in his new role.