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In a letter to Acting Commissioner Scott Bessent, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is urging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to announce its contingency plan in preparation of a government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025.

The IRS on Monday released its FY 2026 Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan in the event of a government shutdown. The plan "describes actions and activities for the first five (5) business days following a lapse in appropriations."

The Legislature continues its deep examination of property taxes, signaling that the issue will remain front and center in the months ahead. The FICPA will continue to monitor the committee’s work and weigh in on policy proposals, ensuring the voice of the CPA profession is heard throughout the process.

The Internal Revenue Service, working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, today announced that paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers will be phased out beginning on Sept. 30, 2025. This marks the first step of the broader transition to electronic payments.

The FICPA is excited to announce that registration is now open for our CPA Day at the Capitol, scheduled for Dec. 3, 2025, in Tallahassee.

Summer has concluded, and the FICPA is preparing for the start of legislative committee weeks, which will arrive before we know it. The Governmental Affairs team continues to meet with stakeholders on key issues, ensuring the CPA profession’s voice is heard as policymakers shape the upcoming session.

In this update, you will find a summary of the latest developments in state government, highlights from the Governmental Affairs team’s recent roadshow, and a timeline of key milestones to watch in the coming months.

Each year, the FICPA is proud to present awards in recognition of key lawmakers who demonstrate strong support for the CPA profession within the Florida Legislature. In this edition of of Legislative Update, we thank Reps. Omar Blanco and Yvette Benarroch.

In response to sweeping changes in CPA licensure requirements set to take effect across many states starting Jan. 1, 2026, CPA QualityPro, a groundbreaking compliance platform for accounting firms, officially launched today, with strategic backing from the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) and the Washington Society of CPAs (WSCPA).

The 2025 Regular Session is done, but the legislative process never stops. And as the summer heat rises, so too does the behind-the-scenes activity in Tallahassee.

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will expedite the issuance of federal tax relief and provide the IRS with authority to grant tax relief once the governor of a state declares a disaster or state of emergency. The FICPA, along with the AICPA and our state society partners, has long advocated for this years-in-the-making reform.

“We are thankful to the members of Congress who supported millions of businesses’ ability to retain pass-through entity tax SALT deduction and our partners throughout the state CPA societies and other professional service businesses for their diligent advocacy on this important issue" AICPA President & CEO Mark Koziel said.

“I know first-hand the impact of this Foundation,” Keller said. “I sincerely hope that my journey from Scholar to Chair will inspire both our students and benefactors, opening their eyes to what’s possible and underlining the value of this remarkable institution."

“It is an honor to Chair an organization that has had a profound influence on my professional development,” Lake said. “The work of the FICPA is critical in shaping fiscal policy, educating taxpayers, advocating for our profession and protecting our role as stewards of the public trust.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed into law both the State of Florida’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget and its annual tax package. On Friday, the governor was presented with the final 12 bills from the 2025 Legislative Session, including SB 2500, the General Appropriations Act.

“As the reconciliation process continues, we urge members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to adopt the Senate’s position regarding pass-through entities and support the removal of new limitations of the SALT deduction," AICPA President & CEO Mark Koziel said.

“Overall, the AICPA appreciates the Senate Finance Committee’s efforts to improve and correct the targeting of SSTBs in the House bill, which lacked a foundation in sound tax policy. However, we remain concerned regarding the inequitable treatment of pass-through entities compared to corporations,” said AICPA President & CEO, Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA.

Late Monday evening, the Florida Legislature adjourned sine die, bringing the 2025 Session to a close. The Session ran 105 days — one of the longest in recent history - and will go down as one of the most consequential for the CPA profession in decades.

The team at CPACharge is here to delve into the practical applications of AI in accounting, exploring how it can automate routine tasks, provide data-driven insights, and, ultimately, help you deliver more value to your clients.

“Each year, the Women to Watch Awards celebrate the remarkable leaders at the forefront of the profession in Florida,” Weir said. “I thank Kristen and Alex for the contributions they’ve made to the FICPA and congratulate them on this richly deserved honor.”