The United States has been in a perpetual state of tax law evolution ever since the country’s founding. For accounting firms, this dynamic landscape has meant a need for constant adaptation and resilience.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the major legislative milestones that have shaped federal tax policy over the past few decades. We’ll also dive into the real-world impacts these changes have had on accounting practice. Finally, we’ll look to the future and discuss must-have strategies for firms to withstand tax law evolutions still to come.
The Winding Road of Tax Reform
Major tax code overhauls in 1986, 2001 and 2017 stand as landmarks in the story of ever-evolving tax law. Each monumental piece of legislation came during times of economic uncertainty and was pushed by administrations with distinct ideological bents.
The reach of these historic Acts has been sweeping, compelling accounting professionals to continually evolve. Let’s trace this lineage of impactful tax reform measures from the past few decades:
The 1986 Tax Reform Act
This Reagan-era tax law evolution represented a drastic tax system overhaul. The Act’s mix of base broadening, loophole elimination and tax rate adjustment was monumental at the time.
The 2001 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act
With the dot-com bubble brewing and fiscal surpluses projected, this Act focused heavily on stimulus via tax cuts. Adjustments ranged from income tax rate reductions to estate tax law changes.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Designed to promote economic growth, this Trump administration move delivered major tax reductions for corporations. There was also some income bracket simplification for individuals.
Ripple Effects: How Evolving Tax Rules Reshape Accounting
As tax legislation continues advancing, the impacts on accounting ripple out broadly. The cost of keeping pace has risen drastically over recent decades. At the same time, client expectations for accountants have only expanded.
What used to be a business centered on number crunching has morphed into more of an advisory role. With intimate knowledge of tax codes, accountants now focus on planning strategies and long-view financial insights for both corporate and individual filers.
Additionally, ripple effects from tax law evolution have reshaped competition across accounting sectors. Larger national firms have used their robust resources to seize opportunities while smaller, local shops have carved out niches through specialization and personalization.
Future-Proofing for the Road Ahead
With new tax law proposals continuously emerging, change is inevitable. Accounting firms must implement strategies now to prepare for future changes.
Cultivating cultures of continual learning will be key. There also needs to be a willingness to maximize efficiency through new technologies and cross-industry collaborations.
Specifically, building organizational agility will give firms an edge. Having the capacity to pivot quickly allows firms to roll with the punches of constant tax reform. Additionally, long-range scenario planning enables advanced preparation for a largely unknown.
Finally, making systemic innovation part of firm identity will empower accounting practices to turn tax code changes into opportunities. By pushing into new territories, upgrading technologies and optimizing processes, forward-thinking firms can continuously improve.
Building Strong Client Relationships in Changing Times
As tax laws continue to change, accounting firms must rely on strong client relationships to adapt and thrive. Trusted connections provide stability when reforms seem uncertain. This is where a client relationship management (CRM) system can prove invaluable.
ABLE CRM, designed specifically for accountants, helps firms build meaningful client relationships that endure through tax code evolutions. In short, ABLE helps you become an indispensable partner for financial guidance.
Stable firms have strong client relationships. Schedule a free demo today to explore how integrating ABLE CRM can help you support your clients through inevitable transitions in the years ahead.