Working together: governor signs bills supported by CalCPA into law.

• Author: Allen, Bruce C.
• Position: Capitol Beat

AB 154 (Ting), the bill that will bring specific sections of the California tax code in closer alignment with federal laws, was signed by Gov. Brown in October. AB 154 is necessary to simplify tax filing for CPAs and the taxpayers they represent, as well as to case the administrative burden for the FTB overseeing the processing and verification of tax returns.

Nonconformity between state and federal tax law has unnecessarily burdened tax compliance by requiring taxpayers to make numerous adjustments using different methodologies to accommodate the variances in their state and federal tax returns. The additional complexity increases the potential for taxpayer errors or inadvertent noncompliance, which could result in costly penalties to the taxpayer.

CalCPA is proud to have supported this successful piece of legislation that creates a comprehensive tax code conformity that simplifies tax filing and administration to ease the burden on California, the taxpayers and its business community.

The governor also last month signed SB 467 (Hill). The bill extends the sunset date of the California Board of Accountancy from 2016 until 2020. CalCPA continues to have a strong working relationship with the CBA, and supports the CBA continuing to serve as the regulator of the CPA profession in California. The CBA will continue to ensure consumers receive quality accounting services from licensees they can trust.

CalCPA Joins Business Company to Oppose Legislation

CalCPA joined the California Chamber of Commerce and other pro-business groups in California to urge the governor to veto AB 465, a bill that would preclude pre-dispute employment arbitration agreements between employers and employees. CalCPA opposes the bill because the utilization of pre-dispute arbitration agreements is common amongst CPA firms, as well many of their business clients of all sizes.

Pre-dispute arbitration is an effective tool to resolve labor disputes within businesses in a timely manner that, if eliminated, will lead to increased litigation and associated costs that will negatively impact the business climate in California. AB 465 was vetoed by Governor Brown last month.

CPA Day Just around the Corner

Mark your calendars: Jan. 19 will be our annual CPA Day in Sacramento, and the time has come to register and make arrangements to represent yourself and your profession at the Capitol.

This year's location will be the Sacramento Convention Center, which is...