Wal-Mart Associates Inc. is headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., but stores incorporated in Massachusetts become domestic corporations — eligible for tax breaks — and it appears that many of the state’s Walmarts have recently taken advantage of those breaks.
Bob Bliss, spokesman for the state Department of Revenue, said, “One effect is that they are exempt from most personal property taxes. On the flip side, this may result in more state excise taxes paid. This is an individual decision each entity can make.”
Bob Ellia, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers, said the practice of incorporation for tax savings is common.
“I don’t know if this is a trend, but I do know it is not at all uncommon. Major companies do an analysis and compare what they pay in taxes under what status and do what they can to save money.”
Wal-Mart reported $419 billion in sales last year, to earn first place in the 2011 Fortune 500 list of the world’s largest companies by revenue.
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