PICPA Advocacy Overview & Legislative Priorities

Latest Advocacy News

Legislative Update

Week Ending Nov. 15, 2019

In this issue: Record Expungement Allowed for Pennsylvania Licensees; IFO Issues Five-Year Pa. Economic Outlook; Pa. Bill Would Establish State Solvency Commission; and more.

NEW RESOURCES

Join us for the final PICPA Legislative Update Webinar of the year on Nov. 21 - Sign up today!
Answers to questions posed to the DOR at State Tax Committee Meeting - Oct. 16, 2019
Schedule a call with a DOR representative or submit an inquiry via email - Oct. 16, 2019

X Issue Briefs on PICPA Priorities

Advocacy In Action

Gov. Tom Wolf, Sens. Michelle Brooks and Pat Browne, Tom Horan, and PICPA's Peter Calcara.

Oct. 2 ceremonial signing for Act 72 of 2018. PICPA's Peter Calcara (top right) was invited to join (bottom, left to right) Sen. Pat Browne, Gov. Tom Wolf, Sen. Michelle Brooks, and (top, left) Tom Horan, assistant executive director of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

PICPA Day on the Hill, June 11, 2019

Dozens of PICPA members descended on the Capitol in Harrisburg to provide critical guidance to state senators and representatives on tax and reporting issues. Rep. Keith Greiner, Rep. Matt Bradford, Sen. Pat Browne, and State Treasurer Joe Toresella also weighed in on the state's fiscal concerns and the important role CPAs play.

Learn More

PICPA Day on the Hill - Sen. Pat Browne with PICPA Members

PICPA Day on the Hill - PICPA Members with Sen. Lisa Boscola

PICPA Day on the Hill - Rosemary Lamaestra with PA Legislator

1 Legislative Accomplishments

2019-2020

Act 13 of 2019 - The law stipulates that if the executor of an estate and the trustee of a trust make an election under Section 645 of the Internal Revenue Code to treat the income of the trust as part of the estate, the fiduciary may make and file a joint tax return for the estate and trust. If a joint return is filed, the tax liabilities of the estate and trust shall be joint and several. This provision applies to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2019. - Approved by the Governor on June 28, 2019

2017-2018

Act 72 of 2018 - Decouples the state’s corporate net income tax law from the bonus depreciation provided in last year’s federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Official bill text can be found here - Signed into law on June 6, 2018
Act 18 of 2018 - PICPA provides a summary of the changes, which amend the Local Tax Enabling Act to provide consistency to the local EIT crediting provisions to protect taxpayers from double taxation. Official bill text can be found here - Signed into law on May 4, 2018
Act 6 of 2018- Amends Act empowering the General Counsel or his designee to issue subpoenas for certain licensing board activities providing for reporting of sanctions & criminal proceedings, for defs., for suspensions & civil penalties - Signed into law on Feb. 15, 2018
Act 5 of 2017- Amends pension provisions allowing new employees and lawmakers to choose between three retirement options - Signed into law on June 12, 2017
Act 71 of 2017- Amends the SFCP Act to align audit requirements for financial reports with federal law - Signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017
Act 72 of 2017 - Makes technical changes to the SFCP Act that will assist organizations filing a registration statement with the Department of State’s BCCO - Signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017

u CPA Now Archive

CPA-PAC Closes in on Fundraising Goal: You Can Help Us to the Finish Line

The CPA-PAC – Pennsylvania’s sole CPA political action committee – ensures that CPAs have a voice in political matters that matter most to the accounting profession.
Full story
Occupational Licensing Reform Needs a Guard Against Mishap

State lawmakers across the country are removing barriers to a person’s right to work in numerous occupations and professions. Some have taken the path of outright elimination of state licensing. The PICPA is taking an active role in protecting the CPA designation so the profession will not be caught flatfooted should similar legislation be brought up for a vote in Pennsylvania.
Full story