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 …

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 …

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” …

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 …

Tax Return Filing Deadline Extended; Tax Credits Made Available for Small and Midsize Employers

Tax Return Due Date Extended to July 15; Tax Payments Deferred On Friday, March 20, 2020 the United States Treasury extended the April 15, 2020 tax-filing deadline to July 15, 2020.  Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin communicated this extension via Twitter stating, “All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments …

Estate Planning Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has impacted every corner of the world at this point. As medical experts, financial advisors, and our colleagues that specialize in healthcare law, employment law, and other related areas are busy advising clients on the best course of action for the weeks and months ahead, we – as estate planners – …