Advocacy

Mission

Narrow focus, big impact

We will protect the accounting profession and foster a strong business climate.  We will work collaboratively in a non-partisan way that is kind, respectful, and empowers participation.  

Vision

Doing what's best for all CPAs

A Montana with the best possible regulatory environment for our members and the people we serve.

Policy

How we fulfill our mission

1. Research issues to provide technical information and analysis to decision makers
2. Analyze proposed legislation and administrative rules to determine possible impacts then agree to support, oppose, monitor, or improve
3. Initiate legislation when issues are identified, but either no legislation exists or alternative legislation is deemed beneficial
4. Create resources and testimony to support our position
5. Communicate the CPA profession’s position and reasoning to decision makers

Approved by the MTCPA Board of Directors October 27, 2022. 

We understand that in today’s complex economy creating good tax policy can be quite difficult.  To try to make the process easier below are guiding principles that can be used to evaluate bills. These principles are not listed by importance and any policy will need to balance its impact across a wide variety of issues.    

1. Equity and fairness: Similarly situated taxpayers should be taxed similarly.
2. Certainty: The tax rules should clearly specify how the amount of payment is determined, when payment of the tax should occur, and how payment is made.
3. Convenience of payment: Facilitating a required tax payment at a time or in a manner that is most convenient for the taxpayer is important.
4. Effective tax administration: Costs to collect a tax should be kept to a minimum for both the government and taxpayers.
5. Information security: Tax administration must protect taxpayer information from all forms of unintended and improper disclosure.
6. Simplicity: Simple tax laws are necessary so that taxpayers understand the rules and can comply with them correctly and in a cost-efficient manner.
7. Neutrality: Minimizing the effect of the tax law on a taxpayer’s decisions as to how to carry out a transaction or whether to engage in a transaction is important.
8. Economic growth and efficiency: The tax system should not unduly impede or reduce the economy’s productive capacity.
9. Transparency and visibility: Taxpayers should know that a tax exists and how and when it is imposed upon them and others.
10. Minimize tax gap: Structuring tax laws to minimize noncompliance is essential.
11. Accountability to taxpayers: Accessibility and visibility of information on tax laws and their development, modification, and purpose are necessary for taxpayers.
12. Appropriate government revenues: Tax systems should have appropriate levels of predictability, stability, and reliability to enable the government to determine the timing and amount of tax collections.