News

Annette Hill, a certified public accountant and principal in the Butte office of Pinion, recently received the Distinguished Service Award at the Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants’ annual conference held at Fairmont.

Legislation passed in 2021 enacted major changes to Montana's income tax system, including lower income tax rates and adjustments to how Montana wage holding is calculated.

For CPA firms, boosting employee engagement and retention is crucial to long-term success. Higher engagement and retention mean fewer resources spent on hiring and onboarding, preserving institutional knowledge, and maintaining positive organizational growth and morale.

The workplace has come a long way. As expectations have shifted — allowing for more flexibility and requiring less formality — you might be wondering if joining a professional organization is still relevant or just part of the old-school workplace culture.

The film Catch Me If You Can did a great job depicting Frank Abagnale Jr., the protagonist, even though it was technically wrong. With the advent of picture editing and AI-producing stuff that is incredibly hard to identify, committing fraud was much more challenging in his day than now.

ABCD now provides regular reports on application/license transfers and publication/protests

As the department processes the over 48,000 Forms PTE received for tax year 2024, one of the most common adjustments we have made is to tax returns pushing overpayments of pass-through entity tax (PTET) payments to affected owners.

AICPA members and other tax preparers should know that the AICPA has adopted revised Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTSs). The new standards were effective January 1, 2024. The AICPA SSTSs serve as the ethical framework for tax professionals and are enforceable tax standards for AICPA members. Many states also adopt the AICPA Standards to cover licensees who prepare tax returns or render tax services.

In a letter addressed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), MTCPA and the AICPA voiced serious concerns regarding the enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements.

Legislation to simplify Montana’s tax laws went into effect on 1/1/24. It significantly alters Montana’s individual income tax system by making changes to filing statuses, tax brackets, and the calculation of Montana taxable income. The DoR has created a hub on their webpage with information about the new law, including resources and commonly asked questions.

With the Form PTE original due date around the corner, the department has compiled a list of common errors to avoid when filing the form. These errors are items that have been identified by the preparer community and by the department while processing returns.

The Nevada Society of CPAs administers peer review for the state of Montana. A firm that provides attest services to a client is required to undergo peer review. It is important you are aware of the Montana requirements.

Resources on Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)

There are two new provisions affecting C corporations for tax periods after December 31, 2022.

With tax filing time right around the corner, you may be wondering if your Montana income tax rebate or property tax rebate you received in 2023 are taxable on your 2023 tax return.

The 68th Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 303, increasing the late filing penalties for Form W-2 and Form 1099 reporting Montana mineral royalties. These penalties go into effect for forms due in 2024.

As Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting becomes more pressing for CPAs, their clients and small businesses, here’s a brief outline of some recent activities and AICPA resources that will be available soon.

MAR Notice No. 42-1074 – pertaining to Livestock Reporting Deadline Revisions to Implement House Bill 66 (2023)

The bipartisan group is charged with developing recommendations for 2025 Legislature.

The advent of cyber commerce has initiated a transformative era in the world of accounting. This digital revolution, marked by the emergence of e-commerce platforms, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technologies, has not only expanded the accounting landscape but also introduced novel challenges and opportunities for accounting professionals.