Iowa House Bill HSB716

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/24
• Refer: 2/19/24

Caption

A bill for an act exempting from state income tax income received by a certified public accountant performing certain audits or examinations of governmental subdivisions, and including retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 2685.)

Impact

If enacted, HSB716 would amend relevant sections of the Iowa Code, specifically sections related to state income tax for individuals and corporations. The bill stipulates that income earned by CPAs from auditing governmental subdivisions would be excluded from taxable income under the specified code sections, which is a significant alteration in the state's tax structure. This change could incentivize CPAs to compete for government contracts, theoretically increasing the quality and extent of audits actively conducted on public entities.

Summary

House Study Bill 716 introduces a provision to exempt income received by certified public accountants (CPAs) from state income tax when they perform specified audits or examinations of governmental subdivisions. This exemption is aimed at encouraging CPAs to engage more actively with governmental entities, potentially leading to improved financial oversight and accountability. By reducing the tax burden on these income streams, the bill seeks to enhance the attractiveness of auditing governmental subdivisions and promote fiscal responsibility within public agencies.

Contention

While the bill aims to foster better auditing practices in government, it may provoke discussion regarding the implications of tax exemptions. Opponents might argue that providing tax benefits for services such as auditing could lead to a reduced revenue base for the state, impacting funding for essential services. Furthermore, there may be concerns about fairness in the tax system; critics could point out that while CPAs may benefit, other professions in similar service industries do not receive comparable exemptions. Hence, the long-term fiscal effects of this exemption on state revenue could be a notable point of contention.