Retroactive tax law changes.

[PATAX]

I wonder if it is time to pass a law prohibiting retroactive tax law changes...The retroactive tax changes recently signed into law have created extra work for the IRS, Intuit, and tax preparers. They had all year to make tax changes. Since they like to pass laws and regulations, how about passing a law prohibiting tax law changes retroactive to the prior year.. Just my opinion...

[George4Tacks]

I have often heard of these changes being called the Accountants Retirement Act. Everyone once in a while our profession requires a bit of extra work and thinking on our feet. It also involves being able to charge the clients a bit more to get them through these turbulent times. Just accept them as a challenge you can endure and thrive in. 

[IRonMaN]

Let them keep the retroactive laws.  However, all of the additional costs incurred by all of those affected parties would be billed to and paid by those elected officials personally.

[garman22]

I dont mind retro changes but they need to STOP doing it during the tax season. Its bad enough for us and IRS during normal times.....

[BobKamman]

That would just add the extra step of suspending or repealing the law against retroactive changes, when making a retroactive change.  

[dascpa]

But could they pass a retroactive law to ban retroactive laws? Or are we getting into a galaxy ending matter-antimatter situation?

[PATAX]

👍George what you are saying is true , but I already have too much work... I just want to go out hiking with my German Shepherd, but I can't do that anymore either because of the Lyme disease deer ticks are everywhere... What a joke.....

[BobKamman]

They could amend the Constitution.  We already have a ban on ex post facto laws, but that only applies to criminal cases.  But the issue here is what should happen when an election changes control of two branches of government.  Should taxpayers have to wait a year for their choice to matter?  Does it depend -- like, on what happens when a Supreme Court justice dies in an election year?  

[PATAX · Accepted solution]

👍All of the respondents have raised valid points... And that is the solution... Just my opinion