Ken Fuller, the owner of a successful technology consulting business, decided to switch to private aviation to enhance client interactions in the Southwest. "It’s much easier to interface and meet with clients on my own schedule," Fuller said, adding that the flexibility and efficiency of flying his own aircraft were superior to the constraints imposed by traditional airlines. "I'm not subject to the additional time it takes to get through security, which allows me a great level of flexibility." Private aviation also enables him to land at smaller airports, bringing him closer to his clients—a convenience not often offered by commercial flights.
Finding Aero & Marine Tax Professionals Fuller was introduced to Aero & Marine Tax Professionals through a trusted referral from a fellow pilot in Los Angeles. "He said, 'Talk to Tom,' and had nothing but good things to say," Fuller explained. After receiving high praise for their services, Fuller didn’t hesitate to hire Aero & Marine to assist with navigating the complex California tax landscape. The initial consultation with Tom Alston, CEO of Aero & Marine Tax Professionals, solidified Fuller’s confidence. “Tom was easy to talk to, and he laid out the whole program very clearly—what my responsibilities were and what the firm would do to ensure a successful result.”
A Seamless Experience with Their Team: After his conversation with Tom, Fuller transitioned to working with the Aero & Marine team, including Jullie and Emily. "The transition was smooth, and everything was laid out clearly," Fuller said. Aero & Marine worked closely with him to develop a plan, including contacting the CDTFA on his behalf. Fuller emphasized the clarity of the communication throughout the process, particularly regarding what records and logs he needed to maintain to qualify for the tax exemption. "It was really a great partnership. Emily would check in regularly to ensure I was on track with meeting the business use requirements."
Navigating the Complexities of Aircraft Tax Exemptions: Fuller’s purchase involved a step-up in aircraft, which required additional training. This, of course, presented unique challenges since training flights don’t count toward the business use exemption. "Emily kept me on top of it," Fuller noted, ensuring that he was able to meet the necessary thresholds for business use, while he handled training separately. "It worked out very well, largely because of how Aero & Marine managed the process."
The Joy of a Successful Exemption: When Fuller finally received the letter from the CDTFA confirming his exemption, the relief was palpable. "It was an awesome feeling," he recalled, noting that he double-checked the letter several times to ensure everything was in order. The money he saved through the exemption allowed him to reinvest in his business, furthering its growth rather than paying the state of California. “It was a no-brainer. The money saved was much better utilized for my business.”
Why Fuller Recommends Aero & Marine: From the beginning, Fuller was impressed by how easy and professional Aero & Marine made the process. He highlighted how the firm’s experience and responsiveness set them apart. "I would absolutely recommend Aero & Marine across the board," Fuller said, citing their deep understanding of the tax exemption process and their commitment to helping clients achieve the best possible outcome.
Ken Fuller’s story is a testament to the benefits of partnering with Aero & Marine Tax Professionals for navigating the complex tax laws surrounding aircraft purchases. Their expertise, transparency, and client-focused approach not only helped him save significant money but also allowed him to focus on his business without the burden of navigating these challenges alone.
Read the interview below:
Aero & Marine: Please introduce yourself and share why switching to your own aircraft was more beneficial for you than sticking with the traditional airlines.
Ken Fuller: My name is Ken Fuller, and I have a technology consulting business, and I switched to private aviation for interfacing with clients in the Southwest. It's much easier to interface, to get out, to meet, and get together with clients when I can do it on my own schedule with my own aircraft. So then I'm not subject to the airlines and the additional time it takes to get through security, et cetera. It just allows me a great level of flexibility.
Aero & Marine: 100%. Then you can land at any smaller airport as well.
Mr. Fuller: Exactly. I can get closer to the people I'm trying to meet.
Aero & Marine: So how did you find out about Aero & Marine originally, and how did you make the decision to hire us?
Mr. Fuller: So, I got a referral from another pilot that I know in Los Angeles when I was looking to buy my aircraft. He said, “Talk to these guys. Talk to Tom. Call them.” He had nothing but good things to say. That’s how I found you guys, and that's how I decided to engage you guys.
Aero & Marine: We love to hear that. When you initially spoke with us, I believe you spoke with Tom, how did that initial contact go?
Mr. Fuller: Oh, that was fantastic. Like I said, I had a referral, and my referral said, “call Tom”. So, I called, and Tom took my call and was very easy to talk to, easy to get along with. He kind of just laid out what the program entails, what my responsibilities would be, and then also what Aero & Marine Tax Professionals would do with this information in order to reach what was a successful result.
Aero & Marine: After you spoke with Tom, he would have transitioned you to work with Jullie. So how did that transition from Tom to Jullie go? And can you talk a little bit about that setup for your delivery and the first functional use checklist she went through with you?
Mr. Fuller: The transition was very smooth. I went from Tom to Jullie to Emily (a former Aero & Marine tax consultant) and then I worked closely with Emily during the whole process. The information provided was very clear. We set up the program. We wrote a letter to the CDTFA (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration) saying that Aero & Marine Tax Professionals was my representative, and they would take care of everything. The information that Emily provided about what I had to log, and track was very clear, very concise. [It was] easy to interface with you guys. It was really a great partnership. And throughout the process, she would check in and say, “well, you're a little short here. Are you going to be able to make you be able to make this 60% {business use} number? It turned out very well and in great part to what you guys do and how you manage and interface with clients to make sure that we're doing what we need to do in order to get the result that we're looking for.
Aero & Marine: It's a partnership because we really are just trying to assist you in being granted an exemption.
Mr. Fuller: And really, that's the way it felt. You know, it didn't feel like a transactional kind of thing. It was conversational. It was kind of, “where are you, Ken? This is what you need to do, and this is what you need to pay attention to because it was in addition to purchasing the aircraft and starting to do the logging for this exemption, I was also doing some training because it was a step up in aircraft for me; I do training, which, of course, didn't count [as business use]. So, Emily was watching that going, “I get what you're doing, but, you know, pay attention to what you need to do for the exemption process.” It worked out very well.
Aero & Marine: During the test period with your consultant, I know you spoke on how your consultant really stayed on you. How did that process go?
Mr. Fuller: It was very simple. Once we kind of got a flow going, I would do a monthly update. “Here’s where I've gone for the business. Here's the confirmations of the people that I met with. Here are the associated receipts and everything”, and we would just do it on a kind of a monthly update.
Aero & Marine: So, what did it feel like when the CDTFA supported your claim for the exemption? That's when you would have received the letter.
Mr. Fuller: It was an awesome feeling. Because you don't know. This was my first time going through this, with nothing but great reviews for you guys. You've obviously done these many times and have been successful many times. So, it was just a great feeling because I've been kind of thinking to myself, “I need to save this amount of money over here because you don't know, just in case…”. It was a great relief to get that letter. I kind of reread it, like, seven times just to make sure. “Am I reading this right? Is there any different way to kind of spin this?” The money is very well spent. I think it's a great investment. It saved me money overall. And even the money that I was spending to do the required flights was allowing me to further my business direction, and it was also a much better use of money. Not having to give [the transactions tax originally owed] to the State of California, I was able to reinvest it myself and in the furthering of my business. So that was a no brainer. It was. It really worked out well.
Aero & Marine: That's why we do this, so that you're able to not have to give money to the government and just be able to use it for you.
Mr. Fuller: Tom laid out the cost of your services right at the beginning. This is what it's going to cost and this is the hourly rate and this is how we're going to figure it out. It was clear you guys have a process. It works well. You know how to do that well. Getting paired up with Emily was great. I would absolutely recommend you guys across the board.
Aero & Marine: What surprised you the most about our services?
Mr. Fuller: How easy it was and how comfortable it was dealing with you guys. I called you guys because a friend of mine said, “call Tom”. You guys were responsive. When I had questions, I was able to reach you guys either via email or by phone and get any questions answered in a timely manner. It was a very easy process.
Aero & Marine: What would you say to others about us?
Mr. Fuller: I would say that the firm is very easy to work with, very professional, understands the process 110%. Obviously, they have been through it many times. They're there to help you as a client to make sure of a successful outcome.
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