2021 Legislative Agenda

• Sales Tax on Professional Services

  TXCPA opposes a sales tax on professional services. Such a tax would be extremely difficult to administer and implement and will not raise any significant amount of money to offset any budget deficits

• Fingerprinting Extension for CPA License Renewals

  (SB 297) and (HB2023) The State Board of Accountancy Sunset legislation from 2019 required CPA licensees to submit fingerprints (one-time) when they renew their licenses. The COVID pandemic has made it difficult for Board and licensees to meet the Aug. 31, 2021 fingerprinting deadline. TXCPA is supporting SB 297 (Senator Perry) to extend the statutory deadline to submit fingerprints while also making sure that licenses continue to be renewed and not suspended during the pandemic.

• Civil Liability Reform

  The COVID-19 pandemic has placed many businesses and employees in untenable positions regarding employees returning to work in an office environment. TXCPA will monitor all legislation relating to COVID civil liability reform and be part of the discussion among employers, business/trade associations, employees and others to craft a fair approach and solution to the issue.

• Proper Regulatory Oversight of Accounting Profession

  TXCPA will support legislation that protects the accounting profession from deregulation efforts that lessen CPA requirements, open up the profession to unlicensed persons, or lessen the regulatory oversight of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

• Tax Reform

  TXCPA will work to ensure that any tax legislation, whether general tax reform, tax increases, or COVID-19 specific reforms, adequately address issues and concerns that are vital to the accounting profession. Any changes to tax rates, filing deadlines, and any imposition of new taxes should properly address business and accounting professional concerns.