House of Representatives passes legislation to prohibit tax strategy patents.

• Position: Legislation

Thanks in large part to the AICPA's exhaustive efforts against the issuance of patents for tax planning methods, on Sept. 7 the U. S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would prohibit such patents. The AICPA, which also worked with other organizations on the issue, congratulated House leaders on the legislation.

"The accounting profession appreciates the House's swift action to protect taxpayers and tax practitioners from the growing problems presented by the granting of tax strategy patents," said Barry C. Melancon, AICPA President and CEO.

Melancon noted that 60 tax strategy patents have already been granted and that 99 more are pending. "The patents are not limited to esoteric sections of the tax code,"...