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  • Archive from category "Tax"

Payroll Protection Program (PPP) to relaunch Monday April 27, 2020

Friday, 24 April 2020 by drdacpaadmin

DRDA continues to provide you information as quickly as we can related to any tax law changes, as well as financial aid and loan opportunities as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. As you can imagine, this is a rapidly changing environment and we will continue to disseminate information as it is made available to us.

On March 27th 2020, President Trump enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Help small businesses keep workers employed through a program known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Which allowed banks to issue SBA 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses that can attest to suffering economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Importantly, these PPP loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payroll afterward.

Yesterday April 23, 2020 Congress approved an additional $310 billion in Funding to replenish the PPP Program which has run out of money. Congress had allotted an initial $349 billion in the last relief bill, a $2.2 trillion package enacted on March 27, only to see the funds run dry shortly afterward due to the rush of businesses seeking to tap the benefits.

Banks will start processing application Monday April 27, 2020. We anticipate the money to move very quickly. We suggest to those applying for the PPP, to do so as soon as possible, and be ready to submit their applications immediately as the program becomes available.

Here is a link to a small business guide published yesterday by the U.S Chamber of Commerce. Please take the time to read this memo, and if you believe your business qualifies (if you need help in that determination, please let us know), then you need to contact your banker to start the process. Please keep in mind, these loans are moving very fast and they are being created as a “first come, first served” priority list for applicants. This will typically be a bank process, not an accounting process, so submitting a loan application through your bank will be of the utmost importance.

The last twelve (12) months payroll information will be needed. It is our understanding at this time, that payroll will include wages, employer paid payroll taxes, health insurance premiums and retirement expense (i.e. 401(k) match).
As stated previously, for the PPP loan to be forgiven your business will have to prove that it retained and continued to pay employees. The rules are still evolving regarding the employee retention provision but understand that employee retention is paramount to having this loan forgiven.

The administration’s PPP program guidelines can be found at www.treasury.gov, and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s search tool to find a bank that offers PPP loans can be found at www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find.

We hope that you are well, and please stay safe. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.

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  • Published in Business Lending, Small Business, Tax
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Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus Federal Small Business Stimulus Aid Programs

Friday, 27 March 2020 by drdacpaadmin

A breakdown of all the federal programs and aid for small business coronavirus assistance.

Three separate packages approved by Congress and signed by President Trump over the past weeks combined offer a variety of assistance to businesses. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in those packages and how your business can take advantage of these relief efforts.

Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act

What is it?

Signed into law on March 6, The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, enabling the U.S. Small Business Administration to offer $7 billion in disaster assistance loans to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

What does it mean for small business?

The SBA is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses suffering substantial economic harm as a result of the coronavirus.

These loans may be used by small businesses to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and additional bills that can’t be paid because of COVID-19’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without other available means of credit. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. Businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible.

The SBA loans come with long-term repayments, up to a maximum of 30 years, in an effort to keep payments affordable. Loan terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, according to individual borrower’s ability to repay.

The SBA has amended its disaster loan criteria to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Hence, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request deferment.

Where can I learn more?

SBA Coronavirus Small Business Loan Page

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

What is it?

Signed into law on March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) contains eight divisions designed to provide assistance to covered employees and households with eligible children affected by COVID-19. Key components of the Act include:

  • Mandatory emergency paid sick leave for covered employees who, as a result of COVID-19, are quarantined, symptomatic or caring for a symptomatic individual, or caring for a child whose school has been closed.
  • An expansion of unemployment benefits.
  • Modifications to the USDA nutrition and food assistance programs.
  • New requirements for coronavirus diagnostic testing.
  • A temporary increase in the Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).

What does it mean for small business?

The FFCRA affects small businesses in two key ways:

  • Paid sick and family leave. The law requires all private businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide emergency paid sick or family leave for employees affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
  • Employer tax credits. The law provides employers with fewer than 500 employees with refundable payroll tax credits to cover the cost of providing the paid sick leave and the paid FMLA leave to their employees. Specifically, the law states that:
    • Employers will receive 100% tax credit against their payroll tax liability up to the capped amount of benefits they must pay.
    • Health insurance costs are also included in the credit.
    • Self-employed individuals receive an equivalent credit.
    • If an employer is owed more than the capped amount and a refund is owed, the IRS will send the refund as quickly as possible.
    • Reimbursement will be quick and easy to obtain.

Where can I learn more?

  • The full text of the Act can be found at Congress.gov.
  • For additional information regarding the mandatory emergency paid sick leave, see this detailed guide provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

What is it?

The CARES Act, which is expected to be passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President in the near future, has a number of components aimed at helping small businesses survive and recover from losses suffered during the coronavirus outbreak. Key components of the CARES Act include a loan program from the SBA, changes to unemployment benefits and changes to business tax filing requirements.

What does it mean for small business?

Anticipated key components of the CARES Act include:

  • Small Business Paycheck Protection Program: A new lending program that allows businesses to borrow enough to cover monthly payroll costs for businesses for up to 2.5 months. If used for payroll, mortgage interest or other qualified expenses, these loans will be forgiven as long as the employer continues to employ its workers or rehires them when they reopen for business.
  • Business tax provisions: Employers can defer payment of the employer share payroll taxes.
  • Payments for individuals: It is anticipated those who make less than $75,000 a year will receive direct payments of $1,200 per individual ($2,400 joint return) plus $500 per child. This will phase out for incomes above $75,000 ($150,000 joint filings).
  • Unemployment assistance: If your business is closed because of coronavirus and your employees cannot work from home, or your employees are unable to work due to illness or the need to take care of someone who is ill with the virus, they can collect unemployment.

Where can I learn more?

Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 page

More info on IRS tax changes can be found here.

More information on filing for unemployment assistance can be found at the U.S. Department of Labor, though you or your employees will need to file through your state’s unemployment program.

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  • Published in Business Lending, Small Business, Tax
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Caronavirus Update: IRS extends Tax Filing deadline to July 15

Saturday, 21 March 2020 by drdacpaadmin

Late in the evening on Friday, March 20, 2020, the Treasury Department and the IRS issued Notice 2020-18, restating and expanding relief provided in Notice 2020-17. Notice 2020-18 provides guidance on how Affected Taxpayers can defer tax filings AND tax payments due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The term “person” includes an individual, a trust, estate, partnership, association, company or corporation, as provided in section 7701(a)(1) of the Code. For an Affected Taxpayer, the due date for filing Federal income tax returns and making Federal income tax payments due April 15, 2020, is automatically postponed to July 15, 2020. Affected Taxpayers do not have to file Forms 4868 or 7004. Another significant change is there is no limitation on the amount of the payment that may be postponed. As you may recall the previous release limited the amount of payment deferral to $1,000,000 for individuals and $10,000,000 for corporations.

The relief provided in this section III is available solely with respect to Federal income tax payments (including payments of tax on self-employment income) and Federal income tax returns due on April 15, 2020, in respect of an Affected Taxpayer’s 2019 taxable year, and Federal estimated income tax payments (including payments of tax on self-employment income) due on April 15, 2020, for an Affected Taxpayer’s 2020 taxable year.

IMPORTANT NOTE – This does not provide deferral or relief for Affected Taxpayer’s second quarter 2020 estimated tax payment normally due June 15, 2020.

Link to IRS Notice 2020-18:

Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Notice 2020-18

IMPORTANT NOTE – Many states and local municipalities are simultaneously providing, or have already provided, their own relief.

Link to AICPA State Tax Filing Guidance for Coronavirus Pandemic:

State Tax Filing Guidance for Caronavirus Pandemic – Update 3/20/20 – 12 noon et.

As always we appreciate the opportunity to serve you. If you have any questions or if we may be of any assistance to you please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

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Coronavirus Tax Relief

Thursday, 19 March 2020 by drdacpaadmin

Treasury has released insight on the deferral of the payment of any tax due on April 15, 2020. The due date for making Federal income (and individual SE Tax Payments) due April 15, 2020 will be postponed to July 15, 2020. C Corporations and consolidated groups can defer up to $10,000,000 in tax. For all other taxpayers the deferral is up to $1,000,000. This is also good for estimated tax payments due April 15, 2020.

Yesterday afternoon the United States Treasury issued Notice 2020-17 Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Disease 2019 Pandemic.  Notice 2020-17 provides some payment relief to US taxpayers.  This notice provides insight on the deferral of the payment of any tax due on April 15, 2020.  The due date for making Federal income (and individual SE Tax Payments) due April 15, 2020 will be postponed to July 15, 2020.  C Corporations and consolidated groups can defer up to $10,000,000 in tax.  For all other taxpayers (i.e. individuals, trusts, etc.) the deferral is up to $1,000,000.  This is also good for estimated tax payments due April 15, 2020.  This is a deferral of time to pay, NOT and extension of time to file.  All taxpayers will have to file or extend their returns as normal.

Here is a link to a copy of this notice so you can see the full release.

Notice 2020-17 Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

While we know many of you may want to push back the payment of taxes until July 15, you may prefer to complete at least a draft of your return so you know what liability lies ahead.  Your DRDA team will continue to work towards the completion, or extension, of your tax return as if this change had not been made.  Many of you will want to “get the tax filing process off your plate” and complete the process as usual and file and pay what is due by April 15.  The financial impact of filing and paying by April 15 is generally minimal as the funds for the tax payment are likely already sitting in cash and will earn very little, given today’s interest rate environment, between April 15 and July 15.  We also know some of you will not want to send a payment until absolutely the latest date possible.  In these cases, we will finalize and then extend the return so that that payment can be made in July.  Our goal is to provide flexibility and service to you while managing our workflow in the most normalized manner possible.  The growing fear is the bubble of work that may be looming in June and July if everyone delays the preparation of their returns.  As such we encourage you to get your information to us if you have not already done so.  We definitely live in interesting times and want to serve you well as we work through all of this.

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Coronavirus and Your Tax Filing and Compliance

Thursday, 12 March 2020 by James Barerra

Beneath the headlines of an outbreak, fatalities in the thousands and infecting tens of thousands worldwide sits other news: panic buying at grocery stores, whipsawing on Wall Street, and the specter of unprecedented disruption to everyday lives and business — all with less than five weeks to go before Tax Day.

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So, how is DRDA planning on dealing with coronavirus just as the season heats up?

“We are taking a proactive approach to dealing with this issue,” said Doug Dickey, CPA, CEPA, Principle Partner of DRDA. “Like any other Hazard Preparedness or Disaster and Emergency Planning, we are committed to having a system in place to ensure the safety and security of our staff and clients with minimal disruption to our services.”

Being prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover rapidly from public health threats can save lives and protect the health and safety of the public. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps anyone deal with hazards of all types more effectively when they do occur.

The IRS is taking a wait-and-see approach: “Our internal working group will continue to closely watch this and promptly respond to any emerging situations to protect our employees and taxpayers interacting with the agency,” the agency said in a statement. “Normal IRS operations are continuing, and we are seeing a strong, smooth filing season for the nation.”

More than likely the IRS is developing contingency plans, as they did with the government shutdown.  Historically they have developed a hierarchy of essential and non-essential services.   Our belief is that return filing and the collection of tax due will be at the top of their essential service list.

Taking it seriously

“DRDA has had remote employees and work from home employees for years.  We are ensuring that everyone on our Team is set to work from home if needed,” said Doug Dickey, CPA, CEPA. “

“Different” might be one word to describe the potential disruption. Living on the Texas Gulf Coast we think ahead in detail for weather or power outages. A new and largely unknown virus is a new and different disruption. Since there is very little known of COVID-19, it is being treated as a disaster or an event that would require a business to invoke their Emergency Plan. It is imperative to be prepared with a contingency plan for any natural or systemic challenge.

In the event of a citywide mandate for public safety which would require the staff to stay home; we will continue to serve you by enabling our staff with home workstations, along with constant communication with the entire firm and our clients.  Our computer and phone systems have been in the cloud and VOIP for years.  There is no difference in access from home or office.

Digital exchange

Tax prep also often depends on face-to-face conferences with clients with little more than the width of a desk between us.

Most preparers complete hundreds of individual returns per year and have face-to-face meetings with about ten percent of the clients. The trend in our industry for the more substantial firms has been leading to digital productivity and remote access.  As stated previously DRDA has been digitally in the cloud for years so the impact to our business will be minimal.  Almost everything we do can be conducted remotely via phone, video conferencing, email, fax, secure portals and remote electronic signatures.

We encourage our clients who normally come in for an interview or drop off, pick up or mail their documents to upload their information through the secure client portal if you can. With less interviews, and traditional mailing routes, there would be less contact and increased safety for all.  We are all human and human safety and well-being is always our first concern.


Technology will help

We have encouraged clients to use the portal and upload their documents since the beginning of Tax Season (click here to access our secure portal). We believe in these times, if more clients utilize this approach, it will foster a safer and better document delivery and acknowledgment process for everyone. We are currently enhancing our website with even more detailed information about how to use the portal if you choose this option (click here for help with our secure portal).

To make certain we can continue to serve you, DRDA has incorporated applications from the cloud, with two-factor authentication. In the event of a virus emergency, the firm’s e-workflow would involve alerts to clients in case of quarantine; instructions to use the firm’s encrypted portal; staff scheduling and payroll; monitoring of each stage of work; shipment to the client for e-signature and electronic payment; and e-filing.

Rest assured we are working diligently to ensure a seamless transition in the event of an emergency happening. Our primary endeavor is the safety and security of our staff, clients and community while serving you.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

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Is There Good Tax News on the Horizon for Workers?

Monday, 13 May 2019 by Larry Lonero

In Congress’ haste to push tax reform through in late 2017 they unfairly (some say) eliminated the deduction for employee business expenses through 2025. The suspension of this deduction negatively affected taxpayers across many different occupations – first responders, school teachers, military personnel, transportation workers, construction workers and others.

Well, there may be good news on the horizon for these taxpayers. As first reported by Alan Viard of TheHill.com there has been legislation introduced in Congress by Democratic Senator Bob Casey (S.2718) and Democratic Representative Conor Lamb (H.R. 2103) to bring back the employee business expense deduction. This would bring individual tax reform more in line with corporate and small business/self-employed reform that was passed by Congress as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA).

TCJA did a good job of bringing much needed reform to our corporate tax structure. It did a fair job of reforming the part of the tax code that applies to small businesses and the self-employed. However, it fell short of what was needed for individual tax reform. I use the following analogy to describe the recent effort at tax reform — corporate tax reform was a stand-up triple, small business and self-employed tax reform was a stand-up double and individuals made it to first base, but they got there by being hit by the pitch. Congress had a once in a generation opportunity to make meaningful change to our tax code and they fell short when considering the effect on individuals.

In his article in The Hill, Alan Viard does a good job describing the inequity caused by the elimination of the deduction for employee business expenses. Businesses can rightly deduct the costs associated with generating revenue. Why can individuals no longer do the same thing? As Viard points out, this violates a very fundamental rule of fair tax policy. Fair tax policy should always be applied consistently and in this case it is not. An individual should be able to deduct the costs they incur to earn their wages. (See Viard’s full article at The Hill)

Effective and fair tax reform seemed within reach as Congress worked diligently on TCJA during 2017. The consensus among most experts was that Congress would pass a meaningful, generational reform package in 2018 once their work was completed. However, as often happens, political expediency got in the way of Congress finishing their job.

Congress was successful in effecting much needed and meaningful tax reform for corporate and small businesses with passage of TCJA. They need to finish the job for individual workers. They have another opportunity to correct their mistake and apply consistent and fair tax policy across all classes of taxpayers. It looks like they may be getting started on that effort. DRDA CPA’s will continue to monitor this important piece of legislation and keep you informed of its progress.

You may contact Senator Bob Casey at Senator Casey and Representative Conor Lamb at Rep. Lamb to weigh in on this important pending legislation. You may contact the author, Larry Lonero, E.A, at larry@DRDACPA.com and DRDA CPA’s at (281) 488-2022 or www.DRDACPA.com.

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ABOUT US

DRDA is a proactive CPA firm offering guidance and support so you can achieve your business and financial goals.

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