Stephen J. Jasper

Member

Nashville

(615) 742-7772

sjasper@bassberry.com

https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/jasper-stephen-j/

Notice

Visiting, or interacting with, this website does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Although we are always interested in hearing from visitors to our website, we cannot accept representation on a new matter from either existing clients or new clients until we know that we do not have a conflict of interest that would prevent us from doing so. Therefore, please do not send us any information about any new matter that may involve a potential legal representation until we have confirmed that a conflict of interest does not exist and we have expressly agreed in writing to the representation. Until there is such an agreement, we will not be deemed to have given you any advice, any information you send may not be deemed privileged and confidential, and we may be able to represent adverse parties.

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As businesses encounter disputes or potential disputes with the state of Tennessee and other taxing authorities, Steve Jasper makes sure those businesses receive fair tax treatment and the full tax savings they are entitled to receive. Steve represents his clients in negotiations with taxing authorities and, as necessary, guides businesses through administrative proceedings or trials. Steve provides counsel with special attention to clients’ business objectives, and in the past five years alone has successfully received over $200 million in tax savings on behalf of his clients. As a reflection of his experience in state tax matters, on multiple occasions Steve has been selected by the Tennessee Department of Revenue to help draft major rewrites to significant portions of Tennessee’s tax statutes.

Steve’s clients include multi-national Fortune 500 companies with locations and business operations across the globe, as well as Tennessee-based companies with a single business location.

Steve’s clients include multi-national Fortune 500 companies with locations and business operations across the globe, as well as Tennessee-based companies with a single business location. Steve assists those clients with:

State & Local Tax – Representing clients in a wide range of tax disputes regarding Tennessee’s sales and use tax, franchise and excise taxes, business tax, and property taxes; addressing issues prior to litigation through a variety of approaches that are more cost-effective and efficient than litigation, including requesting letter rulings, negotiating resolutions with the Department of Revenue during audits, contesting assessments through the informal conference process, and filing claims for refunds of taxes paid; working to resolve clients’ tax issues through the legislative process, including advocating for legislation to protect his clients’ interests and monitoring legislation that may increase his clients’ tax liability.
Economic Development & Corporate Relocation – Assisting expanding or relocating businesses in Tennessee achieve the maximum value they can through state tax incentives, payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreements and state grant programs.
Regulatory & Administrative Proceedings – Representing clients before the State Board of Equalization to contest real or personal property tax assessments; representing clients at administrative proceedings before an Administrative Law Judge to dispute actions taken by the Department of Revenue, including decisions regarding qualification for the industrial machinery credit, headquarters facility credit, and other tax credits or incentives.

Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Steve produced the evening newscast for local ABC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri, KMIZ-ABC 17.

Memberships

Nashville Bar Association

Tennessee Chamber of Commerce — Tax Subcommittee

Representative Experience

C-III Capital Partners Sells RealCapitalMarkets.com

Represented C-III Capital Partners in its sale of California-based tech company Real Capital Markets (RCM) to LightBox

We represented C-III Capital Partners, a fully-diversified asset management and commercial real estate services company, in its sale of California-based...

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Client Type: Private Company
Gen Cap America Sells CPS Distributors

Represented Gen Cap America in its sale of portfolio company CPS Distributors, Inc.

We represented Gen Cap America, Inc. in the sale of its portfolio company, CPS Distributors, Inc., the largest wholesale distributor...

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Client Type: Private Company
ISA Sold to Align Capital Partners

We represented International Systems of America, LLC (ISA), a portfolio company of Gen Cap America, in its sale to Align Capital Partners.

We represented International Systems of America, LLC (ISA), a portfolio company of Gen Cap America, in its sale to Align...

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Client Type: Private Company
Acquisition of Industrial Site for $600 Million Data Center for Global Tech Company

Represented a global technology company in the acquisition of a 1,300-acre industrial site for development of a $600 million data center

We represented a global technology company in the acquisition of a 1,300-acre industrial site for development of a $600 million...

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Client Type: Public Company
Pfizer Franchise and Excise Tax Refund

Represented Pfizer and its affiliates in litigation claiming more than $120 million in franchise and excise tax refunds

We represented Pfizer and its affiliates in litigation claiming more than $120 million in franchise and excise tax refunds related...

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Client Type: Public Company
General Mills Use Tax Refund Litigation

Represented General Mills, Inc. in successful litigation seeking a refund of use taxes

We represented General Mills, Inc. in successful litigation seeking a refund of use taxes for purchases of sanitation chemicals that...

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Client Type: Public Company
Commerce Clause and Due Process Clause Litigation for ConAgra Foods

Represented ConAgra Foods, Inc. in litigation regarding the Commerce Clause and Due Process Clause

Represented ConAgra Foods, Inc. in litigation regarding the Commerce Clause and Due Process Clause limits on Tennessee's ability to impose...

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Qualcomm Tennessee Sales Tax

Represented Qualcomm Incorporated in litigation where the court held Qualcomm’s services were not taxable

We successfully represented Qualcomm Incorporated in litigation, through the Court of Appeals, where the court held Qualcomm's services were not...

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Client Type: Public Company
IBM Telecommunications Tax Litigation

Advocated for a decision that IBM’s wide area network service was not a telecommunications service subject to sales tax

We successfully advocated for a decision by the Tennessee Court of Appeals reversing the trial court and ruling that IBM's...

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Client Type: Public Company
Franchise and Excise Tax Litigation for American Honda Motor Co.

Represented American Honda Motor Co. against attempt to reverse a prior determination that it overpaid its franchise and excise tax liability

We successfully represented American Honda Motor Co., Inc. to receive a decision from Chancery Court that invalidated the Tennessee Department...

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Client Type: Public Company

Publications

Tax Attorneys Outline Expected State Responses to COVID-19-Related Revenue Shortfalls

December 22, 2020
Tax Attorneys Offer Recommendations to Help Offset Revenue Loss from COVID-19 Pandemic

May 19, 2020
Tax Attorneys Examine Remedies for Challenges to Constitutionality of Discriminatory Tax Exemptions

April 13, 2020

Past Events

GRTs: The New Kids on the Block

August 5, 2020 | Webinar
HMB Legal Counsel
Tennessee Bar Association Business Law Forum 2020

July 23, 2020 | Webinar
Tennessee Bar Association
2019 Sales Tax Symposium

September 22-25, 2019 | Orlando, Florida
The Institute for Professionals in Taxation

Media Mentions & Firm News

Steve Jasper Comments on Tennessee Court Decision Rejecting Refund Claims as Untimely

July 27, 2021
Steve Jasper Discusses New Tennessee DOR Ruling on Franchise and Excise Tax Basis Adjustment

July 21, 2021

Accolades

Best Lawyers® — Nashville Litigation and Controversy: Tax “Lawyer of the Year” (2020)

Phi Beta Kappa

Missouri Law Review — Senior Note and Comment Editor

International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award

Education

University of Missouri School of Law - J.D., 2003

Order of the Coif
University of Missouri - B.A., 1999

Admissions

Tennessee, 2003

U.S. Supreme Court, 2007
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 2009
U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 2007
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 2006
Tennessee Supreme Court, 2003
U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2003