Client Case Studies

Transforming Property Tax Compliance and Maximizing Savings for Darling Ingredients

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BACKGROUND:

Darling Ingredients, a leader in sustainable ingredient production from waste materials, operates across a vast U.S. footprint. In search of a reliable partner to enhance their property tax compliance and drive tax savings, Darling faced challenges with prior providers who struggled with consistency and accuracy. In 2022, they turned to Baden Tax Management for a more strategic, results-driven approach to streamline compliance while uncovering new savings opportunities.

CHALLENGES:

Before working with Baden, Darling Ingredients encountered several challenges in managing property tax:

• Service gaps and compliance missteps: Previous providers missed critical deadlines and lacked the proactive service Darling required.
• Complex, multi-state operations: With properties across 42 states, Darling’s compliance needs were highly intricate, demanding a partner with both local and national expertise.
• Untapped tax savings opportunities: Pollution control and resource recovery exemptions, crucial in Darling’s rendering and recycling operations, remained unclaimed due to limited proactive analysis by prior providers.

SOLUTION:

Baden Tax Management implemented a robust, hands-on approach to address Darling’s tax needs effectively. Key components included:

• Comprehensive onboarding and analysis: Baden’s team, led by Leslie Richards, conducted an in-depth review of Darling’s tax obligations, identifying unique compliance requirements and areas for potential savings.
• Pollution control exemptions: Baden proactively pursued pollution control exemptions in multiple states, saving Darling hundreds of thousands of dollars previously overlooked by other providers.
• Responsive and reliable service: Baden stepped in to manage compliance immediately, resolving filing delays and errors and ensuring timely submissions to meet all state requirements.

RESULTS:

Partnering with Baden Tax Management led to substantial improvements for Darling Ingredients, including:

• Significant tax savings: Baden saved Darling hundreds of thousands of dollars in unclaimed tax benefits by claiming pollution control exemptions and recycling and resource recovery exemptions.
• Enhanced compliance reliability: Baden’s organized and timely approach eliminated compliance risks, ensuring no missed filings or penalties.
• Seamless integration with Darling’s team: Darling’s Director of Indirect Taxes, Brad Barnett, highlighted Baden’s responsiveness and proactive service, stating, “It feels like Leslie is on our team, advocating for us and making sure nothing slips through the cracks.”

CONCLUSION:

Baden Tax Management’s commitment to client advocacy and proactive service has transformed property tax management for Darling Ingredients. By removing compliance obstacles and uncovering valuable savings opportunities, Baden enables Darling to focus on growth and sustainability while ensuring they remain fully compliant across all operational locations.