Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2025) – During the annual Spring Meeting of Council and Annual Members Meeting hosted by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) in Washington, DC, CPAs from across the country made their way to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers on several important issues impacting the accounting profession. The meetings, which took place May 14-15 at the JW Marriott Hotel, were attended by new AICPA President and CEO, Mark Koziel; outgoing AICPA Chair and Co-Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Carla McCall; and incoming Chair of the AICPA and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Lexy Kessler, among others.
CPAs met with members of Congress to thank them for their support of recent disaster tax relief legislation and encourage their support of four key issues: legislation to establish the accounting profession as a STEM career pathway; legislation to expand 529 plans to include postsecondary credentials, granting financial flexibility to those pursuing or advancing in the accounting profession; the pass-through entity tax (PTET) deduction, which is an IRS-approved approach aimed at providing fairness for all types of businesses; and the Guiding Principles of Good Tax Policy, which outline a framework on appropriate standards to ensure an effective tax system based on good tax policy.
“The AICPA has a longstanding tradition of championing and endorsing legislation that benefits taxpayers and their advisors while improving tax administration,” said AICPA President and CEO Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA. “CPAs, with their deep understanding of effective tax policy, recognize how it can lead to a more efficient tax system. They have traveled from across the nation to convey these insights to lawmakers.”
Even during uncertain times, the AICPA has maintained a productive relationship with Congress and considers them a valuable partner to the accounting profession. Bipartisan Congressional support on these crucial issues strengthens and improves tax administration while providing strong support for taxpayers and their advisors. The Guiding Principles of Good Tax Policy identifies 12 key principles that lawmakers can use as a roadmap when considering tax legislation. Achieving all of the principles for all proposed tax changes can be a challenge, and therefore, lawmakers must carefully balance the guiding principles to achieve optimal law.
During their visits to the Hill, CPAs asked members of Congress to support legislation that would expand eligible uses of 529 savings plans to include fees and expenses required to obtain or maintain recognized post-secondary credentials, including professional credentials and certifications, and provide professionals in many industries, including accounting, with greater financial flexibility as they enter the workforce and seek to further their education. Additionally, CPAs advocated for support of legislation in both chambers to establish the accounting profession as a STEM career pathway, recognizing the value of accounting professionals, including CPAs, as technological leaders.
The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act limit on the state and local tax (SALT) liability deduction has had a disproportionate impact on business owners who are operating as sole proprietorships, disregarded entities, or pass-through entities. The PTET SALT deduction approach, shifting the SALT liability from the owner to the entity, is an IRS-approved approach aimed at parity that has been enacted in 36 states and one locality. The majority of pass-through entities have significant use of the PTET deduction and feel that preserving the deduction is a top priority for them. CPAs voiced strong opposition to this unfair and targeted provision that will raise taxes on businesses throughout the country and urged members of Congress to, at a minimum, retain the current ability for pass-through entities to deduct the entity’s state and local income on taxes on the business at the federal level.
“CPAs provide businesses and individuals with confidence and certainty as they navigate the complex web of tax laws and regulations,” noted Koziel. “As accounting professionals prepare to guide their clients through impending tax changes, we are grateful to call many members of Congress our partners on these critical issues, and we look forward to gaining the support of many more.”
AICPA Council determines AICPA programs and policies and meets twice each year. The Council is made up of elected and appointed members from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam.
About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with 397,000 members and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. A founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession, attestation standards, and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, partners across the profession to build future talent, and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance, and quality of the profession.
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Contact: Veronica L. Vera
202-434-9215
Veronica.Vera@aicpa-cima.com