Bill would let businesses use CPA affidavit instead of full financial disclosures for local occupation taxes

Representative Montahan introduced a bill (substitute to House Bill 141, LC443011-S) to permit businesses to submit a certified public accountant affidavit in lieu of full internal financial statements when reporting gross receipts for local occupation-tax calculations.

The sponsor said the change would protect sensitive vendor, payroll and contract data that businesses do not wish to make available to local governments and would reduce cybersecurity and conflict-of-interest risks where competitors sit on local boards. The affidavit requirement would specify CPAs (not bookkeepers) and rely on the CPA licensing code and disciplinary rules as a guard against misstatement. Committee members asked whether the affidavit would preclude local audits; the sponsor said jurisdictions could still choose other tax bases (flat rates or employee counts) and that the affidavit would be an accepted alternative reporting method.

The committee held the first hearing; representatives praised the narrow confidentiality aim and raised broader questions about whether gross-receipts reporting remains appropriate in some localities. No vote was taken; the sponsor said he would return with any requested drafting adjustments.