Articles
Included in New York’s 2022-2023 budget is a $250 million COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program, offering financial assistance to help the state’s small businesses cover some of the operating costs they incurred adapting to the pandemic. The assistance comes in the form of tax credits equal to 50 percent of qualifying expenses and up […]
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. enacted various laws providing a variety of financial-relief measures to support businesses through the crisis period. Key among those provisions are tax credits for those businesses that retain and continue to pay qualifying wages to employees despite interruptions or their normal business operations. It is critical […]
Millions of college-age students are taking a gap year or living at home during the Fall 2020/Spring 2021 semesters while many classes have moved online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important for families to understand how these decisions may affect the funds they have saved in 529 plans. A 529 college […]
The IRS warns taxpayers to be on alert to a rise in identity-theft schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including phony offers for government-backed economic relief, access to FDA-approved vaccines or other products falsely marketed as virus cures. In one scam, thieves are directing victims to click on a link in a text message to […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to quickly adapt in extraordinary ways. Today, as vaccinations begin to roll out across the country, companies must again prepare to acclimate to a future business environment when the pandemic is no longer paramount. As simple as it may seem to assume that we will all return to “business […]
The Consolidations Appropriations Act of 2021, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, provides 401(k) sponsors with welcome relief from partial plan terminations that may have otherwise occurred in the wake of COVID-19-related workforce reductions. Background Under longstanding IRS rules, businesses that lay off 20 percent or more of employees covered by a defined-contribution plan in a […]
On December 27, President Trump signed the $900 billion economic-assistance package approved by Congress earlier in the week to help Americans weather the ongoing financial strains of the COVID-19 health crisis. The legislation calls for direct stimulus payments to qualifying taxpayers, an additional 11-weeks of federal emergency-unemployment benefits and greater flexibility for taxpayers to qualify […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed the pace of financial crimes targeting taxpayers. In fact, the IRS Criminal Investigation division (CI) has noted an increase in coronavirus-related scams seeking to steal taxpayers’ money and personal information. Reducing your risks of falling victim to these schemes requires you to take precautionary measures to secure your data […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it, threatening our physical and financial well-being, potentially for years to come. Just as social distancing and other safer-at-home measures have been implemented to help you protect your health, there are some estate planning strategies you should consider at this time to help you protect your […]
The IRS has issued a series of guidance providing relief for nonresident alien individuals, foreign businesses and U.S. expats living and working abroad who may be adversely affected by the COVID-19 international travel restrictions and forced to prolong their stays in the United States. In general, individuals who meet U.S. residency tests are considered resident […]
The Federal Reserve Bank has announced it will expand the eligibility and scope of its Main Street Lending Program, introduced on April 9 to provide up to $600 billion in stimulus to businesses suffering under the economic strain of the COVID-19 health crisis. While the recent guidance adds a third loan facility and extends loan […]
Small businesses and non-profits organizations suffering significant losses and risk of permanent closure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic may qualify for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL). The PPP, which offers potential loan forgiveness, was created under the government’s $2.2 […]
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) grants a 15-year depreciation period to qualified improvement property (QIP), making it eligible to bonus depreciation. With this legislation, businesses with commercial real estate holdings may immediately write-off expenses incurred to improve the interiors of non-residential buildings rather than depreciating those costs over 39 years. This […]
As the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. continues to increase, Congress on March 27 approved its third stimulus package to provide more than $2 trillion in much-needed financial relief to U.S. businesses and families. Following is a brief overview of some of the business-friendly provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic […]
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a letter on March 13 encouraging the country’s banks and credit unions to be especially accommodative to borrowers whose business operations have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the notice specifically recommends financial institutions be flexible when working with entities in industries hard-hit by the virus, relief may […]
Press Releases
Miami, Fl. — On October 29, 2020, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. (Legal Services) recognized the volunteer services of over 340 attorneys and professional partners at its 2020 Pro Bono Celebration. The virtual event honored the pro bono volunteers who made extraordinary contributions throughout the year and during COVID-19. Pro bono volunteers took on […]
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., – June 2, 2020 – Florida TaxWatch, a non-partisan, non-profit research institute and government watchdog for the state of Florida. has appointed Berkowitz Pollack Brant Associate Director Karen A. Lake, CPA, as chairwoman of its COVID-19 Taxpayer Tax Force. The task force will identify and analyze key state and local tax issues […]