ACCESS Act of 2026

The ACCESS Act proposes to reduce financial barriers for early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses using crowdfunding to raise capital. Currently, startups raising $100,000 must hire an independent accountant to review their financial statements before crowdfunding, with accounting fees averaging around $10,000 and consuming at least 10% of capital raised. This bill would raise that threshold to $250,000 before such review is required, and would allow the SEC to raise it further to $400,000 if the Advisory Board recommends the change. The bill maintains investor protections while reducing upfront costs that can hinder small business growth. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee for consideration.