Advocacy that Speaks for Pennsylvania's Tax & Accounting Practitioners
You Can Count on Us to Have Your Back!
At PSTAP, advocacy isn’t just a function—it’s a cornerstone of our mission. We serve as the trusted voice for Pennsylvania’s small accounting and tax firms, ensuring their needs and perspectives are heard where it matters most. We don’t just react; we invest in staying ahead of emerging trends, legislative proposals, and regulatory shifts that could impact our members and their clients.
1. Legislative Monitoring — All Day, Every Day
PSTAP continuously monitors, analyzes, and engages with state legislation that impacts tax policy, small businesses, and professional practice standards. We maintain strong relationships in Harrisburg and across the Commonwealth to stay ahead of emerging issues, and we collaborate with aligned stakeholders to ensure the voice of Pennsylvania’s tax and accounting professionals is heard where it matters most.
2. Advocating for Fairness in Pennsylvania’s Special Tax Forgiveness (SP) Program
PSTAP is actively engaged with lawmakers to correct inequities in Pennsylvania’s Special Tax Forgiveness (SP) program. We are providing direct feedback that would ensure taxpayers are treated consistently—regardless of the type of investment vehicle they use.
3. Opposing a Pennsylvania False Claims Act
PSTAP is part of a stakeholder coalition in opposition to HB 1697, legislation that would create a Pennsylvania False Claims Act modeled on the federal statute. Unlike the federal law—which expressly excludes the Internal Revenue Code—HB 1697 includes no tax exclusion. Without that protection, practitioners could face liability for good-faith state and local tax positions. PSTAP continues to monitor this legislation and will continue to keep our membership updated.
View Stakeholder Letter - Submitted to PA Senate March 16, 2026
View Co-Sponsor Memo and Bill Here
4. Repeal of Accelerated Sales Tax Payments
Pennsylvania requires businesses with sales tax liability of at least $25,000 during the third calendar quarter of the preceding year to prepay sales tax. PSTAP supports HB 1316 and SB 729 to simplify tax compliance, promote fairness, and ease the financial burden on businesses.
Read PSTAP Support Letter (Repeal of Accelerated Sales Tax Payments)
5. SALT Cap Workaround
Pennsylvania is one of only a few states with a state income tax that currently has no statutory SALT Cap workaround. This places our business owners and residents at a disadvantage compared with other states, many of which are neighboring states.
Collaborating with the PA Department of Revenue on Behalf of Our Members
Each year, PSTAP committee members travel to Harrisburg to participate in roundtable discussions with senior leaders from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. These meetings—typically held in early December—offer a direct channel for PSTAP to advocate for our members and seek clarity on pressing tax issues.
Members are invited to submit questions and concerns in advance. The committee carefully reviews and finalizes these submissions, which are then shared with the Department prior to the meeting. During the roundtable, DOR representatives provide insights and discuss responses, followed by written answers that are distributed to the full membership. We also hold a Member Huddle so that our Committee can provide additional insight from the meeting and answer additional member questions.
This annual exchange ensures that member voices are heard and that PSTAP continues to serve as a trusted liaison between practitioners and state leadership.
Here are the Q&As from our most recent meetings:
2022 Q&A - Responses from PA DOR
2023 Q&A - Responses from PA DOR
December 12, 2024 Q&A - Responses from PA DOR
2025 Q&A Responses from PA DOR
Need Help Resolving a Client Issue?
If you’ve followed the recommended communication channels with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue but still haven’t been able to resolve a client matter, PSTAP may be able to assist. While we’re not the first stop in the resolution process, we’re here to support our members when standard avenues fall short. If you’ve exhausted your options and need help navigating an issue, please reach out—we’ll do our best to advocate on your behalf.
How We Helped a Practitioner Facilitate a Change to the Estimated Underpayment Penalty Calculation
PSTAP Succeeds in Efforts to Retain Telefile
In the Fall of 2023, the practitioner community was informed that the PA Department of Revenue would decommission Telefile, a telephone-based system for the remittance of some business and employer taxes. Member outcry led to PSTAP leading the charge to preserve Telefile.
Letter Issued to PA Department of Revenue
Annual PA Department of Revenue Fall Tax Seminars — We host six locations of the PA Department of Revenue Fall Tax Seminar each year, providing a unique opportunity to meet Revenue employees and hear the latest updates while getting your questions answered and your issues resolved. We think all tax practitioners who file state tax returns should attend one of these seminars each year.
PSTAP monitors all meetings of the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy and is vigilant on board voting actions and proposed regulations that affect our membership.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy is comprised of nine CPAs, one PA, and three public members.
