Latest COVID-relief law addresses underfunded multiemployer pensions
March 23, 2021 COVID-19
Latest COVID-relief law addresses underfunded multiemployer pensions

A multiemployer pension is generally a defined benefit plan to which more than one employer is required to contribute and is maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. Many multiemployer pensions are expected to become insolvent in coming years. In fact, because of the number of pensions facing insolvency, and the total amount of unfunded […]

New law tax break may make child care less expensive
March 23, 2021 COVID-19
New law tax break may make child care less expensive

The new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides eligible families with an enhanced child and dependent care credit for 2021. This is the credit available for expenses a taxpayer pays for the care of qualifying children under the age of 13 so that the taxpayer can be gainfully employed. Note that a credit reduces your […]

New COVID-19 relief law extends employee retention credit
March 19, 2021 COVID-19
New COVID-19 relief law extends employee retention credit

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC), which was created to encourage employers to keep their workforces intact during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been with us for a year. But questions about it remain for many employers. With the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) extending the credit and expanding eligibility — and the credit worth as […]

FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 17
March 17, 2021 COVID-19
FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 17

Updated 3/24/2021 (adding states that have also extended deadlines) The IRS has announced that the federal income tax filing deadline for individuals for the 2020 tax year is extended from April 15, 2021, until Monday, May 17, 2021. The IRS extended the deadline to provide relief to taxpayers facing challenges as a result of the […]

The American Rescue Plan Act provides sweeping relief measures for eligible families and businesses
March 16, 2021 COVID-19
The American Rescue Plan Act provides sweeping relief measures for eligible families and businesses

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The $1.9 trillion law is intended to provide far-reaching relief from the economic and other repercussions of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to funding for testing, contact tracing, vaccinations, education, and state and local governments, the ARPA includes extensive […]

New law: Parents and other eligible Americans to receive direct payments
March 16, 2021 COVID-19
New law: Parents and other eligible Americans to receive direct payments

The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law on March 11, provides a variety of tax and financial relief to help mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many initiatives are direct payments that will be made to eligible individuals. And parents under certain income thresholds will also receive additional payments in the […]

The American Rescue Plan Act has passed: What’s in it for you?
March 11, 2021 COVID-19
The American Rescue Plan Act has passed: What’s in it for you?

Congress has passed the latest legislation aimed at providing economic and other relief from the COVID-19 pandemic that has haunted the country for the last year. President Biden is expected to sign the 628-page American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which includes $1.9 trillion in funding for individuals, businesses, and state and local governments. The ARPA […]

The latest on COVID-related deadline extensions for health care benefits
March 10, 2021 COVID-19
The latest on COVID-related deadline extensions for health care benefits

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01, which is of interest to employers. It clarifies the duration of certain COVID-19-related deadline extensions that apply to health care benefits plans. Extensions to continue The DOL and IRS issued guidance last year specifying that the COVID-19 outbreak period — defined as beginning […]

PPP adjusted to prioritize very small businesses
March 4, 2021 COVID-19
PPP adjusted to prioritize very small businesses

When the Small Business Administration (SBA) launched the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) last year, the program’s stated objective was “to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.” However, according to federal officials, the recently issued second round of funding has distributed only a small percentage of the $15 billion […]

How the new COVID-19 relief law affects retirement benefits
January 21, 2021 COVID-19
How the new COVID-19 relief law affects retirement benefits

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) includes a wide variety of provisions that address the ongoing economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are so many provisions, in fact, that you may find it challenging to keep track of everything pertinent to your organization. One example is retirement benefits. Although the CAA doesn’t make sweeping […]

Need another PPP loan for your small business? Here are the new rules
January 14, 2021 COVID-19
Need another PPP loan for your small business? Here are the new rules

Congress recently passed, and President Trump signed, a new law providing additional relief for businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. One item of interest for small business owners in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) is the opportunity to take out a second loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The basics The CAA permits […]

Preventing surprise billing under the new COVID-19 relief act
January 12, 2021 COVID-19
Preventing surprise billing under the new COVID-19 relief act

By now you’ve likely heard and read much about the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). Among its primary purposes, of course, is to provide much-needed relief to individuals and businesses still struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. A couple of the law’s most talked-about features are stimulus payments to individuals and expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program […]