Be sure independent contractors are properly classified

As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, your business may be using independent contractors to keep costs low. But you should be careful that these workers are properly classified for federal tax purposes. If the IRS reclassifies them as employees, it can be an expensive mistake. The question of whether a worker is an … Read more

Small Business COVID-19 Relief Expanded by Congress

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 … Read more

Main Street Lending Program – Federal Reserve

“The Federal Reserve has announced that it is establishing a Main Street Lending Program (Program) to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Read More

Filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

“You can now apply for PUA, expanded eligibility for individuals who have traditionally been ineligible for unemployment benefits (e.g. self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig workers).” Read More

Information on Economic Impact Payments

“The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. The payments, also referred to by some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. No further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees.” Learn more here.

PA Public Health Safety Order for Essential Businesses Effective April 19, 2020

Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Public Health Safety Measures for Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-person Operations “Recognizing that certain life-sustaining businesses in the Commonwealth must remain open despite the need for strong mitigation to slow  the spread of the virus, I am ordering certain actions to be taken by … Read more

Employer tax deferrals and PPP loans

by Lucas Rihely, CPA, Partner The CARES Act provided employers an opportunity to defer payment of its 6.2% employer Social Security taxes on wages paid to employees during 2020. However, the Act provided that employers who had a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiven would be ineligible to participate in the deferral. On Friday, April … Read more

Relief from not making employment tax deposits due to COVID-19 tax credits

The IRS has issued guidance providing relief from failure to make employment tax deposits for employers that are entitled to the refundable tax credits provided under two laws passed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The two laws are the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which was signed on March 18, 2020, and the … Read more