The bill passed out of committee today (with amendments that we agreed to) and is expected to go to the Senate floor this week.

After a hearing in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, the MACPA agreed to Chairman Conway's proposed amendments to SB 555. The Chair clearly recognized our issues and eliminated the language we were most worried about. The amendment made a minor change, eliminating specific language about the proposed exam and transferring that responsibility to the newly formed Board (under the DLLR).

It retained the critical language referring to an “independent regulatory-based exam” which prevents future groups (like H&R Block and others) from self-certifying their regulated preparers. CPAs and our staff continue to be exempt from this legislation / regulation.

Other references & background:

in 2009, we defeated efforts by H&R Block to significantly change this language – see our post

There they go again! – Our talking points from last year

Day 70 of Session – Maryland Tax Preparers Legislation – The post from the original legislation adn our amendments to protect CPAs from double regulation