AICPA Advocacy

TOPICS

December 3, 2020

Threats to licensing remain a concern for CPAs amid pandemic

The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is posing new challenges to state professional licensing statutes. CPAs have a role to play in advocating for responsible licensing regulation.

November 25, 2020

AICPA urges SBA and OMB to reconsider PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaires

An AICPA letter suggests that the need for certain borrowers to complete a new form and provide extensive documentation supporting their request for relief funds be reconsidered and that other approaches be evaluated in assessing a borrower’s good faith certification.

November 23, 2020

AICPA mobilizes members to push for deductibility of PPP-funded expenses

The AICPA is asking its members to write to their senators and representatives in Congress in support of legislation that would mandate that anyone who receives a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program can deduct business expenses even when payment of those expenses results in loan forgiveness under the CARES Act.

November 18, 2020

Letters signed by AICPA raise concerns about PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaires

The AICPA is among 80 organizations that have signed a pair of letters to SBA, Treasury and congressional leaders calling on the agencies to temporarily suspend use of the new Paycheck Protection Program Loan Necessity Questionnaires.

November 17, 2020

IRS commissioner: Penalty relief will not be ‘blanket’

IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig told attendees at the AICPA National Tax & Sophisticated Online Tax Conference not to expect blanket penalty relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he addressed other effects of the pandemic on the agency.

November 6, 2020

SBA to require PPP loan necessity form from large borrowers

Businesses and not-for-profits that received $2 million or more in PPP loans must complete one of two new loan necessity questionnaires the SBA is sending to lenders for distribution to borrowers.

October 28, 2020

Template for requesting penalty abatement available from AICPA

The AICPA has created a template for members to use when requesting a penalty abatement from the IRS. Many taxpayers are receiving penalty notices after COVID-19 hampered their ability to meet tax filing obligations.

October 22, 2020

UAA Model Rules updated to support evolution of CPA licensure

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s board of directors approved changes to the Uniform Accountancy Act Model Rules that create a clear path for the CPA Evolution project.

October 20, 2020

Diversity and inclusion: Tips for moving the needle

Building on a commitment to diversity with efforts to promote inclusion can make a difference in the accounting profession, according to panelists at the AICPA’s fall Council.

October 20, 2020

Tips for single audits amid pandemic uncertainty

An avalanche of new federal awards has left practitioners who perform single audits working under uncertain circumstances and awaiting regulators’ guidance. Here’s how practitioners can give themselves a chance to succeed under challenging conditions.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

4 ways solo practitioners can stand out

Five years ago, a grieving Angel Zhen started his own CPA firm with no clients and no revenue. Today, he has 300 clients, $600,000 in revenue and 12 weeks of annual vacation. In this JofA article, he shares how he set up his firm and how you could do the same.