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

Additional taxpayer assistance related to COVID-19

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 … Read more

Employee retention tax credit – CARES Act

The recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid by eligible employers to certain employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The employee retention credit is available to employers, including nonprofit organizations, with operations that have been fully or partially suspended as a result … Read more

Filing and Payment Deadlines – Questions and Answers

In Notice 2020-18, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced special Federal income tax return filing and payment relief in response to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency. Below are answers to frequently asked questions related to the relief provided in the Notice. These questions and answers will be updated periodically … Read more

Waiver of Penalties on Accelerated Sales Tax Prepayments

To assist the business community as the Commonwealth responds to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is waiving penalties for businesses that are required to make Accelerated Sales Tax (AST) prepayments by the deadline of Friday, March 20. Additionally, for April sales tax payments, the department is waiving the AST prepayment requirement and asking … Read more

Federal and State Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extensions

For the Federal government and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the tax filing deadline and the corresponding payment for 2019 balances due and estimated taxes has been extended to July 15, but other states may or may not follow the July 15 date. This may impact the timing of your tax filing or extension if you do business … Read more

Tax Relief for Small Businesses – COVID-19

Businesses across the country are being affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Fortunately, Congress recently passed a law that provides at least some relief. In a separate development, the IRS has issued guidance allowing taxpayers to defer any amount of federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or … Read more

Tax Payment Deadline Extended; Taxes Must Still Be Filed by April 15

Editor’s Note: Although the tax payment deadline has been extended, the April 15 filing deadline remains. The AICPA is pressing for relief on the April 15 filing deadline. The situation will likely continue to evolve and H2R CPA will monitor and evaluate the next steps. The majority of the states will likely follow the direction … Read more

Electing S Corporation Status – Key Considerations

Operating a business as an S corporation may provide many advantages, including limited liability for owners and no double taxation (at least at the federal level). Self-employed people may also be able to lower their exposure to Social Security and Medicare taxes if they structure their businesses as S corps for federal tax purposes. But … Read more