COVID-19 Updates Protecting Meat Processing and Assembly Line Workers OSHA released a new video outlining ways employers can protect meat processing and assembly line workers from exposure to the coronavirus. Click here. Preventing Unemployment Fraud and Abuse The Department has released online resources to prevent unemployment insurance fraud or misuse. Click here. COVID-19 Benefit Plans […]
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 […]
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 […]
Questions Continue to Surround Legislation to Provide Grants to “Frontline” Workers
As reported previously, S.346 was passed by the Senate and would provide grants for certain critical/essential employees who worked during the last two months (see related post here). As the bill developed, questions were raised about the appropriate scope of the bill, the period of time it should apply to, whether federal COVID-19 funding would […]
New Refresher/Overview of Paid Leave and Employer Tax Credits under the FFCRA Posted by the IRS
As you know, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provides tax credits to reimburse employers for the costs of providing paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave to employees unable to work because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). These credits are refundable. That means if the amount of the credit exceeds the amount […]
Reminder | May 14: Protecting Safety and Health of Workers Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Department of Labor
The Vermont Department of Labor and VOSHA will hold the following Virtual Town Hall event on Thursday, May 14 at 3:30 pm: Protecting the Safety and Health of Workers Overview: Details around VOSHA and CDC guidance to protect Vermont workers as workplaces open, including materials developed by VOSHA. Speakers: Stephen Monahan (Director, Workers Compensation Division), […]
IRS Clarifies Tax Credit Eligibility Related to Health Care Benefits
The IRS has reversed previously issued guidance that would have prevented employers that provide health care benefits for furloughed workers from qualifying for the employee retention tax credit. The updated IRS FAQs on the tax credit are available clicking here.
Updates on Guidance and Resources from the IRS
The following are recent updates for IRS guidance and resources: COVID-19 paid leave tax credits for small and midsize businesses Small and midsize employers can claim two new refundable payroll tax credits. The paid sick leave credit and the paid family leave credit are designed to immediately and fully reimburse eligible employers for the cost […]
US Wage and Hour Division Posts New FFCRA Updates and Resources
There are a number of new updates/resources related to FFCRA on the WHD website: New Quick Tip visual: Quick Tip: How much paid leave can employees take? New Q&As (click here) include: I hire workers to perform certain domestic tasks, such as landscaping, cleaning, and child care, at my home. Do I have to provide my […]
Department of Labor Reminds Employers that Unemployment Claimants Called Back Must Accept Suitable Work, Notes Rules for PPP, and Provides Reporting Portal
The Department of Labor has issued a reminder for employers and unemployed Vermonters that apart for some exceptions, such as those who have been exposed to COVID-19, or individuals who must care for a family member, those on unemployment who refuse to return to suitable work may risk losing benefits. Additionally, individuals who have been […]