Governor Scott has proposed a $400 million economic relief and recovery package, which would use federal CARES Act funds. The two-phase proposal would start with $310 million for immediate relief to the most impacted sectors and businesses, to be followed by $90 million for long-term recovery efforts. Full details of the plan can be […]
Estimated Tax Penalties and Interest to be Waived by Vermont Department of Taxes
The Department of Taxes has waived penalties and interest for estimated income tax payments originally due June 15, 2020 so long as they are paid by July 15, 2020. This relief applies to Vermont personal income tax, corporate and business/pass-through income tax, and fiduciary and estate income tax. Click here for more.
OSHA Reverses COVID-19 Recordability Requirements
OSHA has announced that employers will have to record positive COVID-19 cases for OSHA recordkeeping purposes if it is determined that the employee contracted it during normal work activities. This is a reversal from previous guidelines. OSHA’s new policy goes into effect May 26, and you can read more clicking here.
Roundup of Updates and Resources from the IRS
Complying with New USMCA Trade Agreement Announcement 2020-06 (click here) provides the Treasury Department and IRS view on how to interpret references in US income tax treaties to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) once it is replaced by the Agreement between the United States Canada and Mexico (the USMCA). The announcement provides that […]
Treasury and SBA Publish PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
The Treasury Department and SBA have released information on how small businesses can apply for loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program. The Loan Forgiveness Application explains how to calculate your forgiveness amount, determine your eligible payroll and nonpayroll costs, document eligibility for loan forgiveness and apply the CARES Act’s safe harbor for remedying payroll […]
SBA Debt Relief For 7(a), 504 & Microloan Borrowers
As part of its COVID-19 debt relief efforts, the SBA will pay six months of principal, interest, and any associated fees that borrowers owe for all current 7(a), 504, and Microloans in regular servicing status as well as new 7(a), 504, and Microloans disbursed prior to September 27, 2020. This relief is not available for […]
New Guidance on Foreign Affiliates and PPP Eligibility
The Treasury Department has clarified how to count foreign employees and foreign affiliates for PPP eligibility. You can read the rule clicking here, which says that applicants must count all US and foreign-based employees, including those of their domestic and foreign affiliates, to determine if they meet the PPP’s size tests. However, note that the […]
New Guidance and Resources Page for Manufacturers from CDC and OSHA
The CDC and OSHA have jointly posted comprehensive manufacturing-specific guidance that details the steps companies need to take to protect their workforce, and you can access the new guidance and related information clicking here. Remember that national and other third-party guidance and resources should be considered complimentary to official Vermont mandates and requirements.
State Legislature Begins to Return to Non-COVID-19 Legislation
After approximately two months of focusing primarily on COVID-19 related briefings and some legislation, a number of legislators have been pressing to resume action on legislation that was being discussed prior to the crisis. This pressure led to the first major development this week when the Senate leadership gave the green light to a number […]
Senate Might Move Legislation Regulating PFAS and Other Chemicals in Certain Products and Packaging
One of the non-COVID-19 related bills that have been sitting on the Senate action calendar since March and now might be called for a floor vote in the coming days (see related post here) is S.295, which would impose a number of new regulations on the use of PFAS in several products, as well as […]