Legislative Update

As we’ve covered in previous Advocacy Updates, Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide income tax relief to Americans recovering from Hurricane Ian. The legislation designates Hurricane Ian as a qualified disaster for purposes of determining the tax treatment of certain disaster-related personal casualty losses.  

In a Sept. 21 Bloomberg article, Rep. Steube noted that if his bill to give special tax treatment to 2022’s Hurricane Ian victims is passed by the end of the year, those affected by the hurricane would have to know to amend their tax returns to get the tax relief for 2022. Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) has said he hopes to get the disaster relief bills resolved before year-end. 

“Obviously, at this point, I still am pushing for it to get on an agenda,” said Steube, who is a member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. “Everybody keeps telling me that they’ll do it by the end of the year, so I’m not worried that it won’t happen. It would just be a lot easier for people in my district for it to happen before October.” 

Other bills include a proposal from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), introduced earlier this month, to provide aid and tax relief for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The bill, which fully funds FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, secures block grants for Florida growers to make sure they get the necessary tax breaks from the losses they suffered, and more. 

On Aug. 17 the FICPA offered a webinar, featuring disaster-relief expert Gerard Schreiber, on 7508A filing delays. The webinar was free to FICPA members and you may watch the replay here. 

The FICPA also has implemented an online letter-writing campaign to petition Congress to designate Hurricane Ian as a qualified disaster. Please consider personally engaging by adding your voice to these important efforts. 

We will keep all of our members posted as we continue to advocate for CPAs and their clients.

Updated 4 p.m. ET

Since Hurricane Idalia hit Florida on Aug. 30, the FICPA has been advocating for its members and their clients, requesting all available relief at the state and federal levels. 

In the latest edition of Advocacy Update, you'll find breaking news from the Florida Department of Revenue and the U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, granting tax and reporting relief for those impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

You'll also find for news and notes on:

• Our success in securing expanded tax relief from the IRS
• New executive orders from DBPR in response to Idalia
• The activation of Florida's Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
• Our preparation for Florida's 2024 Legislative Session
• A letter-writing campaign aimed at securing a BOI reporting delay
• And how to join our Key Person Contact program

FinCEN Grants FBAR Relief

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) on Friday issued a notice extending the filing date of Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Account (FBARs) for victims of recent natural disasters, including Hurricane Idalia.

Per the notice: "Victims of these recent natural disasters will have until February 15, 2024, to file FBARs for the 2022 calendar year. As set out in the notice, FinCEN is offering this expanded relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance, and for additional counties the Internal Revenue Service provided expanded tax relief for."

The FinCEN notice currently names Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla as counties receiving relief.

This current list omits three counties - Brevard, Orange and Osceola - which were later added to the IRS' list of those receiving relief. As we did with the IRS, we have asked FinCEN for clarification on the three counties listed above.

The notice granting relief comes following a request made by the FICPA to FinCEN last week.

• Read the FinCEN notice
• Read our letter to FinCEN

DOR Grants Corporate Tax Relief to Impacted Counties

On Friday, the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) announced it has suspended corporate income tax due dates and extension periods for certain taxpayers affected by Hurricane Idalia in parts of Florida until March 1, 2024.

The counties currently included are:

• Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla counties.

The FICPA submitted a formal request to DOR last week asking for relief from the Department in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.

• Read the DOR memorandum
• Read FICPA's letter to DOR

IRS Expands Relief in Response to FICPA Request 

The IRS on Wednesday announced that it has added Brevard, Orange and Osceola to the list of Idalia-impacted counties being granted tax relief through Feb. 15. 

These three counties were included in FEMA's Florida Disaster Declaration on Aug. 30 but were not included in the IRS' original list of counties being granted extensions. 

This IRS update comes in response to a letter sent by the FICPA last week, in which we alerted the IRS to the discrepancy and requested that it update its communications to include Brevard, Orange and Osceola, raising the total number of counties receiving relief to 49. 

The latest FEMA map identifying counties eligible for individual and/or public assistance appears below.

The FICPA will continue to advocate on behalf of its members throughout hurricane season, representing the interests of CPAs and their clients. 

• Read the IRS press release 
• Read FICPA's letter to the IRS 

Hurricane Idalia Recovery: DBPR Issues Emergency Orders 

To facilitate Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has issued these emergency orders. To view Executive and previous DBPR Emergency Orders, as well as additional resources related to hurricane states of emergency, visit DBPR’s website.   

DBPR Emergency Order 2023-07 suspends certain provisions of section 489.113(3), Florida Statutes, in order to allow certified or registered general, building, or residential contractors to subcontract roofing work for the repair or installation of any roof type in listed counties. 

DBPR Emergency Order 2023-06 extends multiple deadlines for license renewals and implements these provisions, among others: 

• Community Association Management Firms: The existing license renewal deadline of September 30, 2023, as established by section 468.432(2)(d), Florida Statutes, is suspended and tolled through October 25, 2023, unless extended by subsequent order, for Community Association Management Firms. Licenses renewed on or before October 25,2023 shall be considered as timely renewals and will not be assessed any late fees. 
• Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes: The annual $4 fee per mobile home, as established by section 723.007(1), Florida Statutes, and the $1 surcharge, as established by section 723.007(2), Florida Statutes, are suspended and tolled through October 25, 2023, unless extended by subsequent order. Payments remitted by October 25, 2023 shall be considered as timely renewals and will not be assessed any late penalties. 

Gov. DeSantis Activates Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program 

Businesses in 25 Florida counties eligible to apply 

On Sept. 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $20 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Idalia. Florida small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit the Florida Commerce Rebuilding Florida Businesses website to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Businesses in the following counties, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply: 

Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Wakulla counties. 

Governmental Affairs Team Preparing for Committee Weeks, 2024 Legislative Session  

FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell, along with contract lobbyists Liberty Partners of Tallahassee, is holding meetings with key legislative staff and stakeholders in preparation for the start of Interim Committee Weeks on Sept. 18.  

Harrell has held introductory meetings with staff from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and Florida Department of Revenue to continue strengthening relationships that promote the needs of profession. The FICPA State Legislative Policy Committee met in Orlando in August to develop the FICPA’s 2024 Legislative and Regulatory Policies, and the first bills of the 2024 Session have been filed. 

Governmental Affairs continues to monitor the implementation of several important bills from the 2023 Session, and as always, your FICPA Advocacy Team will review all 2024 bills for possible impacts to CPAs. 

Here are key dates for the 2024 Legislative Session. 

Interim Committee Weeks: 

• Sept. 18-22 (House) 
• Oct. 9-13 (Senate) 
• Oct. 16-20 
• Nov. 6-9 
• Nov. 13-17 
• Dec. 4-7 
• Dec. 11-15 

First day of 2024 Legislative Session:

• Jan. 9, 2024

Last day of 2024 Session:

• March 8, 2024

FICPA Letter-Writing Campaign: Petition Congress to Delay BOI Filing Deadline 

In conjunction with the AICPA and other state societies, the FICPA is asking members to write to their congressional representatives, advocating that the start date for the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting be delayed. You can find more information, including talking points and draft letters, at the link below. We ask that you contact your representatives by Sept. 15. 

We will alert you to any tax-relief information as soon as it is available. 

• Access call-to-action document. 

Be Part of the FICPA’s Key Person Contact Program 

To develop strong grassroots relationships with members of the Florida House, Senate and Cabinet, the FICPA Governmental Affairs Team has developed a Key Person Contact (KPC) Program. In this program, the “contacts” are FICPA members who have personal relationships with Florida legislators. These members act as liaisons between the FICPA and lawmakers, creating a line of communication to relay technical and general information about legislative issues. 

Your Governmental Affairs Team needs up-to-date information on members' relationships with Florida legislators. To become part of the KPC Program, please complete and sign this form and email to [email protected]. 

The FICPA’s continued legislative success depends on you! 

Contribute

The Florida CPA/PAC supports the politicians who stand up for CPAs. We back the candidates and incumbents who will ensure CPAs and their clients are included in the legislative process. It is your voluntary contributions that help protect the CPA license. 

Donate Now

Please note: Contributions are strictly voluntary and are not deductible for federal tax purposes. The Florida CPA/PAC is an entity completely separate from the FICPA. The Florida CPA/PAC is supported solely by the voluntary contributions of members of the FICPA and others. 

The latest edition of FICPA Advocacy Update is highlighted by our letter-writing campaign to Congress and our continued effort to have Hurricane Ian designated as a Qualified Disaster. Scroll down to learn how you can join the campaign and make your voice heard on behalf of the CPA profession in Florida.

You'll also find information on:

• Shelly Weir's new role on AICPA's National Pipeline Advisory Group
• The SLG Committee's response to the Auditor General FY 2022-23 Draft Rules 
• Information on our Key Person Contact program
• And the latest TIPs from the Department of Revenue

Latest News

FICPA Letter-Writing Campaign: Petition Congress to Designate Hurricane Ian as a Qualified Disaster 

As many of you know, Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide income tax relief to Americans recovering from Hurricane Ian. The legislation designates Hurricane Ian as a qualified disaster for purposes of determining the tax treatment of certain disaster-related personal casualty losses. 

This vital legislation is a crucial step in creating equitable tax treatment in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. FICPA representatives in May met with two-thirds of Florida’s Congressional delegation to advocate for support on this issue. We continue to advocate for disaster-relief measures, but we need your help! 

Please make your voice heard by sharing your thoughts with our representatives in Congress.  

Contacting your Congressional representatives is easy: Simply use the FICPA’s online letter-writing program by clicking the button below. Draft messages are already prepared – you may send as they are or customize your message for greater impact. 

Make Your Voice Heard

Thank you for personally engaging by adding your voice to these important efforts. 

FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir Named to AICPA’s National Pipeline Advisory Group

The AICPA on July 31 announced the formation of a new National Pipeline Advisory Group aimed at combating the CPA profession’s ongoing talent shortage.

FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir is among the 22 members of the group, which comprises a range of perspectives from across the profession.

“The slowdown in young adults choosing accounting as a career is a collective problem for the CPA profession and requires a collective and inclusive solution," Sue Coffey, CPA, CGMA, CEO of Public Accounting for AICPA & CIMA and a member of the Advisory Group, said in a statement. "We want to make sure we have a broad range of viewpoints and perspectives to help define the profession's pipeline strategy moving forward. This deep, capable, and experienced group will play a critical role in guiding that conversation and subsequent call to action.”

Per the AICPA: The National Pipeline Advisory Group’s work is part of a multi-pronged approach that includes an intensive effort to use technology, surveys and in-person forums to solicit insights and input from a diverse array of groups around the country.

The group, which began meeting in July, is expected to report on its progress at the AICPA Fall Council meeting in October.

In addition to her new role on the Advisory Group, Weir also serves as a member of the AICPA’s Experience, Learn and Earn Task Force, which seeks to create a bridge between accounting students and accounting firms on the path to licensure.

“Since I arrived at the FICPA two years ago, I’ve been focused on the biggest challenge facing the profession – the state of the pipeline,” Weir said. “I am honored to be a member of this vital group and excited to work alongside this renowned and respected collection of leaders. Together, we can pave the way for the next generation of CPAs and secure the future of our profession.”

SLG Committee Responds to Auditor General FY 2022-23 Draft Rules 

The FICPA State and Local Government (SLG) Committee on Aug. 4 submitted comments in response to the Auditor General draft rules for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year audits. 

Pursuant to 11.45(8), Florida Statutes, the Auditor General, in consultation with the Board of Accountancy, adopts rules for the form and conduct of all financial audits performed by independent certified public accountants pursuant to Sections 215.981, 218.39, 1001.453, 1002.395, 1004.28, and 1004.70, Florida Statutes.  

• Review the FY 2022-23 draft rules here. 
• Review the SLG comment letter here. 

Be Part of the FICPA’s Key Person Contact Program 

To develop strong grassroots relationships with members of the Florida House, Senate and Cabinet, the FICPA Governmental Affairs Team has developed a Key Person Contact (KPC) Program.

In this program, the “contacts” are FICPA members who have personal relationships with Florida legislators.

These members act as liaisons between the FICPA and lawmakers, creating a line of communication to relay technical and general information about legislative issues. 

Your Governmental Affairs Team needs up-to-date information on members' relationships with Florida legislators.

To become part of the KPC Program, please complete and sign this form and email it to [email protected]. 

The FICPA’s continued legislative success depends on you! 

(Pictured left: FICPA member/KPC Chris McDirmit delivering a Florida CPA/PAC check to Rep. Kristen Arrington)

DOR TIPs  

Since the last issue of Advocacy Update, the Florida Department of Revenue has published these helpful Tax Information Publications (TIPS). For the full list of 2023 TIPs, click here. 

Corporate Income Tax 

Florida Corporate Income/Franchise Tax Credit for Manufacturing of Human Breast Milk Derived Human Milk Fortifiers 

July 14, 2023 

For taxable years beginning during the 2023 and 2024 calendar years, a tax credit against the Florida corporate income/franchise tax is available equal to 50 percent of the cost of equipment purchased for 

use in the production of human breast milk derived human milk fortifiers. Such purchases must be made on or before the date the taxpayer is required to file their tax return. 

• Read the full TIP here. 

Florida Corporate Income Tax: Adoption of 2023 Internal Revenue Code 

July 28, 2023 

Each year, the Florida Legislature must consider adopting the current Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, 

United States Code) to ensure certain tax definitions and the calculation of adjusted federal income will be consistent between the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the Florida Income Tax Code (Chapter 220, Florida Statutes [F.S.]). The Florida corporate income tax “piggybacks” federal income tax determinations and uses adjusted federal income as the starting point for computing Florida net income. 

• Read the full TIP here. 

Fuel Tax 

Fuel Tax Rates Adjusted September 1, 2023, Through December 31, 2023 

Aug. 8, 2023 

Beginning September 1, 2023, Miami-Dade County’s local option tax will decrease from 6 cents per gallon to zero cents per gallon. As a result, the statewide tax rate on motor fuel and the collection allowance will decrease. 

• Read the full TIP here.  

Sales and Use Tax 

Highlands County Increases Tourist Development Tax Rate From 4% to 5% 

July 21, 2023 

The tourist development tax rate on transient rental transactions occurring in Highlands County increased from 4% to 5%. The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 22-23-24 increasing the tourist development tax rate. 

• Read the full TIP here. 

Jackson County Increases Tourist Development Tax Rate From 4% to 5% 

July 21, 2023 

The tourist development tax rate on transient rental transactions occurring in Jackson County increased from 4% to 5%. The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 2023-06 increasing the tourist development tax rate. 

• Read the full TIP here. 

Contribute

The Florida CPA/PAC supports the politicians who stand up for CPAs. We back the candidates and incumbents who will ensure CPAs and their clients are included in the legislative process. It is your voluntary contributions that help protect the CPA license. 

Donate Now

Please note: Contributions are strictly voluntary and are not deductible for federal tax purposes. The Florida CPA/PAC is an entity completely separate from the FICPA. The Florida CPA/PAC is supported solely by the voluntary contributions of members of the FICPA and others.