News & Updates from the MSCPA’s Government Affairs Team
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News & Updates from the MSCPA’s Government Affairs Team 
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We're working to keep you informed in a world that changes by the minute. If you have anything you'd like to share, or if we can help you in any way, please reach out to Zach Donah at zdonah@mscpaonline.org or 617.303.2411, or Larry Liuzzo at lliuzzo@mscpaonline.org or 617.303.2405.

House of Representatives Debate $46 Billion State Budget Proposal; Senate to Release Budget Today
The Massachusetts House of Representatives met Tuesday and will meet again today to debate the $46 billion budget released last week.

Before the start of Tuesday’s debate, House legislators submitted 777 amendments to the budget that focused largely on aid for local projects. House leaders, aiming for a quick turnaround, expressed their opposition to amendments calling for increased taxes or major policy initiatives. As such, an amendment that called for an increase in capital gains taxes was defeated by a vote of 127-30.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo stated that his goal is to pass the House budget by the end of this week and to have a finalized budget to Governor Baker by the end of the month, a priority also shared by the Governor.

The Senate plans to release their budget today and will meet to debate next Tuesday, November 17. In a radio interview with Bloomberg News this week, Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said that the Senate budget proposal will not include new tax revenue or low, broad-based tax increases to balance the budget.

We should know more details in the coming days and will provide that information to you once we have it. 
Massachusetts Firm Mobility Legislation Passes Senate, Heads to the House

Massachusetts Senate bill 2941, an Act to Modernize Public Accountancy, was passed by the Senate on Monday and now heads to the House of Representatives for review. As a major legislative priority for the Society and the accounting profession in Massachusetts, this was an important step in the process for a bill to become law. We are hopeful that the House Committee on Ways and Means will recommend passage to the House with an eventual vote to adopt the legislation before the end of this year’s formal session.

Focused in four parts, this legislation provides necessary technical updates that further strengthens the CPA license and positions accounting firms to adapt more easily to a changing industry. The legislation would adopt key updates included in the most recent version of the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA): a revised definition of attest language to allow firm mobility, a revised and updated code of professional conduct and a provision to allow for non-CPA leadership of public accounting firms.

We are grateful to Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee staff; Senator Anne Gobi, the sponsor of this legislation and her staff; and Senator Michael Brady and his staff, for their diligence, patience and willingness to work with us on the legislation.

We will update you on the progress of Senate Bill 2941 as it makes its way through the House.

Webinar: Preview of MassTaxConnect Upgrade (11/18)
Join the Department of Revenue (DOR) from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. next Wednesday, November 18 for a preview of some of the changes to MassTaxConnect that are expected in January 2021. Some of the changes include:
  • A new design that makes it easier to get around;
  • A more convenient third-party management screen; and
  • Easily accessible account information.
To RSVP, email dor360@dor.state.ma.us with "MTC Webinar" in the subject line.
 
To join the meeting, click here
 
To join by phone, call 408-418-9388
Recent Additional Restrictions to Curb COVID-19 Cases
Governor Baker released a series of executive orders aimed to “disrupt rising trends” of positive COVID-19 cases. Included in the orders and advisories are: 
  • Stay-at-home advisory – Instructs residents to stay home between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.;
  • Early closure of businesses and activities – Orders certain businesses, including restaurants, liquor stores, gyms and others, to cease certain sales, dine-in service and other activities at 9:30 p.m.;
  • Gatherings order – Reduces the number of people allowed indoor or outdoor at private residences and orders that gatherings must end at 9:30 p.m.; and
  • Face covering order – Requires individuals to wear face coverings in public at all times, including when more than six feet away from another individual.
New England Advocacy Coalition November Newsletter
The New England Advocacy Coalition released its November newsletter on happenings specific to each state in the New England region.

To read the newsletter. click here.
IRS: Renew Preparer Tax Identification Numbers
In preparation for the 2021 tax season, the IRS is encouraging tax preparers to renew their PTINs before the December 31, 2020 expiration date.

For more information, click here
Guidance for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
 
DOR Updates
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