ADA Website Compliance: What Tax Accountants and CPA Firms Need to Know

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ADA website compliance has quickly become one of the most overlooked legal and reputational risks for tax accountants and CPA firms. While many firms assume accessibility laws apply only to large corporations or government websites, recent lawsuit trends tell a very different story.

In fact, professional services firms — especially CPAs and tax practices — are among the most frequently targeted in ADA website accessibility claims.

What Is ADA Website Compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses that serve the public to provide equal access to their services. While the law was written before modern websites existed, courts and the U.S. Department of Justice have consistently ruled that websites connected to public services must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

For websites, accessibility is typically measured against WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) — specifically WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which has become the de facto standard in lawsuits and enforcement actions.

Why CPA Firms Are Being Targeted

CPA and tax firm websites are especially vulnerable for several reasons:

They are service-based, public-facing businesses
They rely heavily on online forms, portals, and PDFs
Many sites use older templates or third-party builders
They generate leads and collect sensitive information online

Plaintiffs and law firms know this — and they also know CPA firms are more likely to settle than litigate.

Common ADA Website Issues Found on CPA Websites

Most ADA claims are not about complex technical failures. They usually involve basic, fixable issues, such as:

Missing or incorrect alt text on images
Inability to navigate the site using keyboard-only controls
Poor color contrast that makes text hard to read
Unlabeled form fields on contact or tax organizer forms
Inaccessible PDFs (engagement letters, checklists, organizers)
Improper heading structure that confuses screen readers

Even firms using popular website platforms or accessibility “widgets” are still being sued.

Small CPA Firms Are Not Exempt

A common misconception is that small firms are protected. They are not.

The ADA does not include a minimum revenue or employee threshold for public accommodations. A solo CPA or boutique tax firm can face the same demand letters and lawsuits as a large regional firm.

While “undue burden” can be argued as a defense, it does not prevent lawsuits — it only comes into play after legal costs have already been incurred.

Accessibility Widgets Are Not a Safe Harbor

Many CPA firms add an accessibility overlay or widget believing it solves the problem. Unfortunately, widgets alone do not make a website ADA compliant and have not stopped lawsuits.

Recent enforcement actions and court cases have reinforced that true compliance requires fixing accessibility issues at the code and content level, not just adding a toolbar.

In some cases, widgets have actually been cited as evidence that a business knew its site had accessibility issues.

What ADA Compliance Looks Like in Practice

For CPA firms, ADA website compliance generally means:

Designing and coding the site to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards
Ensuring all forms, PDFs, and client-facing tools are accessible
Maintaining accessibility as content is updated
Documenting good-faith compliance efforts

This is not a one-time project — it’s an ongoing responsibility, much like data security or privacy compliance.

Why This Matters Beyond Lawsuits

Beyond legal exposure, accessibility also improves:

Website usability for all visitors
SEO and search visibility
Lead conversion rates
Brand credibility and trust

Given the increasing role of private equity, firm valuations, and digital-first client acquisition in the accounting industry, an inaccessible website is now a business risk — not just a legal one.

Key Takeaway for Tax Accountants and CPA Firms

If your firm:

Serves the public
Markets services online
Uses web forms, PDFs, or portals

Then ADA website compliance is no longer optional.

Proactive compliance is far less costly than responding to demand letters or lawsuits — and it positions your firm as professional, modern, and client-focused.

Hugh Duffy