Business Resources
IR-2020-195, August 28, 2020
WASHINGTON — The Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance (PDF) implementing the Presidential Memorandum issued on August 8, 2020, allowing employers to defer withholding and payment of the employee's portion of the Social Security tax if the employee's wages are below a certain amount.
Notice 2020-65, posted today on IRS.gov, makes relief available for employers and generally applies to wages paid starting September 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.
The employee Social Security tax deferral may apply to payments of taxable wages to an employee that are less than $4,000 during a bi-weekly pay period, with each pay period considered separately. No deferral is available for any payment to an employee of taxable wages of $4,000 or above for a bi-weekly pay period.
Today's notice postpones the time for employers to withhold and pay employee Social Security taxes.
Additional tax relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found on IRS.gov.
Special Brief: President Trump's Executive Order
August 10, 2020
The U.S. Chamber put out a summary of President Trump’s Executive Orders that were signed over the weekend.
Executive Order on Unemployment Insurance
· Sets-aside up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide supplemental
unemployment benefits to the unemployed.
· The total value of the supplemental benefits is $400 per week per person through December
6, 2020 or until funds are exhausted.
· FEMA funds can only cover 75% of the cost ($300 per person per week). State’s must
cover the remaining 25% ($100 per person per week).
· Governors’ must request the assistance.
· Requests that states use any of their remaining funds provided under the CARES Act to
fund the state portion.
Executive Order on Payroll Tax Deferral
· Directs the Treasury Secretary to defer the withholding, deposit, and payment of the 6.2%
payroll tax imposed on individuals for individuals whose bi-weekly wages are less than
$4,000 pre-tax (approximately $104,000 a year).
· The deferral is for taxes due September 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
· Amounts deferred are deferred without penalty or interest.
· Directs the Treasury to “explore avenues,” including legislation, to have the deferred
payments forgiven.
Read the article here
Executive Order on Evictions
· Directs that the HHS Secretary and the Director of CDC “shall consider whether any
measures temporarily halting residential evictions of any tenants for failure to pay rent are
reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 from one State or
possession into any other State or possession.”
· Directs the Treasury Secretary and HUD Secretary to identify available Federal funds to
provide temporary financial assistance to renters and homeowners.
· Directs the HUD Secretary to “take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable
law, to promote the ability of renters and homeowners to avoid eviction or foreclosure…”
· Directs that the Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency “shall review all existing
authorities and resources that may be used to prevent evictions and foreclosures for renters
and homeowners resulting from hardships caused by COVID-19.”
Executive Order on Student Loans
· Directs the Secretary of Education to take action to modify existing hardship deferment
requirements and “provide such deferments to borrowers as necessary to continue the
temporary cessation of payments and the waiver of all interest on student loans held by the
Department of Education until December 31, 2020.”
Financial Assistance Programs
View Paycheck Protection Program information here
View Economic Injury Disaster Loan information here
Employers Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Information and Application here.
The Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program provides an alternative for employers faced with a reduction in workforce. It allows an employer to divide available work or hours of work among a specific group(s) of employees in lieu of a layoff, and it allows the employees to receive a portion of their unemployment benefits while working reduced hours.To qualify for benefits under the Shared Work (SW) Program, employees must be regularly employed by an employer whose plan to stabilize the workforce has been approved by the Director of the Division of Workforce Services or his duly authorized representative.
Main Street Lending Program registration now open here.
The Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program Guide from the US Chamber of Commerce
here. As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Federal Reserve has created the Main Street Lending Program to provide a total of $600 billion in financing for small and medium-sized businesses. The guide provides details you need to know to check eligibility and get ready to apply.
Employer Alert: Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims
Arkansas State Chamber/AIA Unemployment Insurance/HR Committee Chairman Mike Moore of Friday, Eldredge & Clark said, “Employers need to be aware of a scheme going on in Arkansas and other states where hackers are submitting fraudulent unemployment claims.”
If fraudulent claims appear in reports you received from ADWS, you should respond immediately to ADWS. Documentation can be filed with ADWS on its website www.dws.arkansas.gov, by telephone at (501) 682-1058, or by email at ADWS.InternalAudit@Arkansas.gov.
Moore added that “employees who are notified that a claim has been submitted on their behalf, must obtain a police report and submit a copy of their photo ID and the police report claiming the fraud to ADWS in order to stop the payment. Fraudulent payments received by employees who are not unemployed will be reported to the IRS and will be taxable income.”
Additional Important information for employees and employers here
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Vendors
Martin Industrial Supplies- Searcy has masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectants1-800-343-4421 www.martinindustrial.com
Cintas Corporation-Searcy has secured a very large inventory of disposable face covers/masks that are now available for purchase. We have the inventory available now for purchase and for future reoccurring purchases to ensure you can take care of your employees, visitors and vendors. Kevin Russell Service Manager – Searcy Cintas Corporation office 501-207-5532
RiverCity Print and Imaging- North Little Rock is manufacturing Office essentials for reopening businesses and PPE for healthcare professionals across the country. Including Sneeze Guards, Social Distancing Floor Decals, and Protective Face Shields. 501-227-5000.
PPE Vendor Listing for Your Business Operations from the AEDC The Arkansas Economic Development Commission has provided a list of companies that have self-identified as providers of PPE. Neither AEDC nor ADEM nor Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce are recommending any of these as preferred vendors. They have simply submitted this info and it has been compiled and is being shared for your convenience. AEDC will update this list as they become aware of new vendors.
Download the PPE List
J & S Custom Services, LLC-Searcy Sanitizing Exterior Surfaces 501-230-8088
Hyped Promotional Products- North Little Rock PPE kits (includes an assortment of items catered to your needs, or personalized), Nitrile Gloves, N-95 Masks, 3-ply Disposable Masks, Touchless Thermometers, Face Shields, Face Masks, Sanitizer, Signage, and No touch door openers. For inquiries about PPE call 501-902-8551 or email
PPE@hypedpromo.com
Business Requirements/Information
Governor Requires All Arkansas Businesses to Post Sign At Facility Entrances
As part of Governor Hutchinson’s recent State of Arkansas Executive Department Proclamation EO – 20 – 13 (3) f, all Arkansas businesses are required to: Post a sign at the entrance of the facility informing all employees, customers, and congregants that they should: avoid entering the facility if they have a cough or fever; maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another; sneeze and cough into one's elbow; not shake hands or engage in any unnecessary physical contact. The State Chamber/AIA is pleased to provide a copy of the notice for Arkansas businesses and organizations here.
Print this door posting here
Print this door posting here
Printable mask signage in Spanish “Wear a Mask” here and “Masks are Mandatory” here
Important Links
-Arkansas Businesses Reopening Dates & Directives- Access chart with links here
-Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Vendors here
-Arkansas Businesses Reopening Dates with Directive links here
-Governor Required Business Posting here
-COVID-19 Guidance for Employers here
-"Return To Work Safely" Guide for Businesses here
-Arkansas Ready for Business website here
-President's Opening Up America Again Guidelines here
-Employer's Shared Work Program here
-Arkansas Ready for Business Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) page here
-Loan Forgiveness: Paycheck Protection Program here
-Main Street Lending Program here.
-Attorney General Alert: Federal Government Sending Prepaid Debit Cards here
-Free Business Webinars From the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center here
Webinars/Educational
The SBA Arkansas District Office is hosting FREE webinar sessions for small businesses and nonprofits during COVID-19.
Register for the webinars and get more information here.
Free Webinars from the ASBTDC Register here
|
Join us online for an upcoming webinar, or share these events with a friend. No cost to participate.
|
|
| |
COVID-19 Guides and Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Click the Links to open
|
|
.jpg){kind=logo}
