Category: Coronavirus / COVID-19

The IRS has issued new guidance addressing a question that has lingered since the launch of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) — whether expenses paid for with forgiven, tax-free PPP loan proceeds are deductible business expenses under Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The guidance in IRS Notice 2020-32 doesn’t provide the answer borrowers hoped for, but that may yet come. The root of the question The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act created the widely… Read more ›

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has extended the repayment deadline for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) borrowers that wish to take advantage of the “good faith” self-certification of eligibility option. The deadline is now May 14, 2020. Companies that repay their loans by that date preempt the possibility of criminal liability if they’re subsequently found ineligible for PPP loans. The loans are intended to help small businesses with fewer than 500 employees weather the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but some large… Read more ›

Congress and the Trump administration have struck a deal on another piece of legislation, the latest in a series of federal measures intended to provide relief in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The $484 billion legislation, which is being referred to as the Interim Stimulus Plan, amends the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted in late March. Among other things, it provides additional funding to two loan programs designed to help small businesses slammed by… Read more ›

The Senate has approved $320 billion in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, the Small Business Administration’s business relief program that passed as part of the CARES Act on March 27, 2020. The PPP originally received $349 billion in funding to support businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding quickly ran out however, as a surge in applications for relief and skyrocketing unemployment numbers reflected the significant need. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the legislation on… Read more ›

Thanks to CBM Supervisor Tom Hudson for developing the following article. On April 14, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released additional guidance that provided more information about the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for self-employed taxpayers. Previously, it was not explicitly stated that taxpayers who file a Schedule C were included in the program although many interpretations of the SBA’s language indicated that they were eligible. The SBA did confirm through the most recent guidance that a taxpayer… Read more ›

The IRS and the U.S. Department of Treasury have announced new relief for federal taxpayers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The IRS had already extended certain deadlines to file and pay federal income taxes and estimated tax payments due April 15, 2020, without incurring late filing penalties, late payment penalties or interest. The additional relief, outlined in Notice 2020-23, applies to a wider variety of tax filers. The IRS also has announced new tools for taxpayers expecting Economic Impact… Read more ›

Last Thursday, the IRS announced in Notice 2020-23, Update to Notice 2020-18, Additional Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic, that the filing and payment deadlines for Form 990-series returns originally due between April 1, 2020 and July 15, 2020 will now be due on July 15, 2020. This deadline extension applies to both original and extended filing deadlines. The returns impacted by this extension include: Form 990 Form 990-EZ Form 990-PF Form 990-T Form 990-W Any not-for-profit… Read more ›

On Friday, March 27, President Trump signed into legislation the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The $2.2 trillion legislation represents the largest stimulus package in U.S. history—dwarfing the $800 billion package signed during the 2008 financial crisis—and provides a variety of economic relief measures to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on American society. The Act provides for six options for businesses in search of relief, which are listed below for consideration: • Paycheck Protection Program… Read more ›

Maryland will stop processing paper income tax returns beginning on Friday, April 15, based on a statement by Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. The move has been motivated by a desire to keep employees safe in the era of COVID-19. Taxpayers anticipating a refund from their taxes and who plan to paper file are encouraged to file by April 10 to ensure their return will be processed in a timely manner. Marylanders are encouraged to file electronically, since it takes just… Read more ›

The CARES Act and Relief for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 On Friday, March 27, President Trump signed into legislation the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act. The $2.2 trillion legislation represents the largest stimulus package in U.S. history—dwarfing the $800 billion package signed during the 2008 financial crisis—and provides a variety of economic relief measures to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on American society. The Act provides for five options for businesses in search of relief,… Read more ›