On April 28, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued its opinion in Badgley v. U.S. In so doing, the Court affirmed a lower court determination that the entire date-of-death value of the assets of a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (“GRAT”) were includible in the settlor’s gross estate for federal estate tax …
June 30, 2020 Deadline Looms Large for Businesses with 2018 Net Operating Losses
As if business owners did not have enough to worry about in light of various deadlines of all types including when and whether to submit Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan applications, how to account for the use of the funds, whether to return the PPP borrowed monies and when and how to file applications for …
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Canada’s Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (CERCA)
On April 24, 2020, The Canadian Federal Government provided some details about the new Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (CECRA) for small businesses and commercial landlords. The CECRA was announced on April 16, 2020 to provide relief for small business tenants and, in some respect, landlords. Under the CECRA, the Federal Government will offer …
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UPDATE – SBA Adds Guidance Regarding Necessity Certification Under the Paycheck Protection Program
On April 23, 2020, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) issued additional guidance (in an update to its previously published FAQs, a current version of which can be found here) regarding whether businesses owned by large companies qualify for a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan under Section 1102 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act …
New Deadlines for Retirement Plans, Tax Filings and Paid Leave Policies
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES”), and IRS and Department of Labor (“DOL”) rules establish new and revised deadlines for retirement plans and other benefit programs. The following is an outline of key dates: Item Date Paid Leave Effective date for paid sick and childcare leave under Families First Coronavirus Relief Act …
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Relief for Partnerships
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) offers tax relief which may be beneficial to entities taxed as partnerships. These provisions include (i) retroactive relief for entities taxed as partnerships by temporarily increasing the interest deduction limitation from 30% to 50% of adjusted taxable income, and (ii) clarifying that “qualifying investment property” …
Alternate Valuation Date to Reduce Estate Tax
If your loved one recently died with a taxable estate, you might consider using an alternate valuation date to reduce estate tax. A Federal Estate Tax Return Form 706 is due 9 months after date of death, and tax is due on an estate with assets that exceed $11.58 million in 2020. An individual’s assets …
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Even COVID-19 Can’t Stop the Scammers
With the extension of the income tax filing season through July 15th and the forthcoming stimulus funds that will be distributed to taxpayers, it is important for everyone to stay vigilant to avoid scammers and fraudsters who continue to prey on taxpayers. If you receive a stimulus check in the next few weeks, it is …
Employee Benefit Provisions in the CARES Act Provide Employer and Participant Relief
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act became law on March 27, 2020. The Act includes important provisions that impact employer sponsored benefit plans. Consistent with its name, the Act provides participants enhanced access to retirement plan money, provides employers relief regarding defined benefit pension plan funding, aids employees by requiring payment of …
IRS Provides Details on the Extension of the April 15 Filing Date
In a series of FAQ’s issued on March 24, the IRS has provided additional information on the extension of the April 15 tax deadline announced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As mentioned in a prior tax blog prepared by Dickinson Wright, the IRS has provided an automatic extension to July 15, 2020 of Federal income tax returns and …
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