While stimulus checks and forgivable loans have received a lot of attention during the COVID-19 shutdown, businesses and individuals should not overlook other available relief provisions that could help them reduce taxes and improve cash flow. Several of these measures could enable a taxpayer to file amended federal tax returns to recover taxes paid in previous years and request a refund. (more…)
New Challenges to California Proposition 13
By Abe Livchitz, CPA, Senior Tax Manager & Jimmie Machlan, CPA, Tax Manager
ASL Real Estate Group
This November, voters will be deciding many national and state issues. Californians will be asked to make important decisions on measures impacting commercial property owners and residential homeowners. California Proposition 15, also called the “split roll tax” would require commercial and industrial properties to be taxed on current market value. California Proposition 19 would change certain property tax exemptions and transfer rules. If either proposition passes, the changes will not only impact how property tax is calculated but also result in significant tax increases for many property owners. The State Legislative Analyst estimates that in 2025 property tax revenues could be $8 to $12 billion higher if Proposition 15 is enacted. (Official Voter Information Guide – Prop 15) (more…)
Multistate Tax Issues: Evolving State Standards Require Careful Attention
One consequence of the long-term shift toward a service-based economy is a change in how states determine the corporate income tax, sales tax, and employee payroll withholding requirements for companies that are active in multiple states. The lack of a consistent nationwide approach can create complexities for companies that have facilities, sales, or personnel in multiple jurisdictions.
Further, the rise in telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic has focused additional attention on the issue. So far, only a handful of states have issued specific guidance regarding the tax questions that arise when a company’s employees work remotely from other states. Telecommuting employees can create income tax, sales tax, and payroll withholding issues for their employers. (more…)
US Tax News August 2020
Below is a summary of the Federal COVID-19 related updates from August 2020. (more…)
SBA Announces Retro-Active Change to Paycheck Protection Loan Program
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) launched in early April with little guidance provided to both borrowers and lenders. Many businesses acted quickly to determine their maximum loan amounts and submit their applications before funds would run out. Recently, there has been scrutiny related to certain recipients of the funds. In light of this, we want to ensure you are aware of the certifications that borrowers were attesting to on their loan applications. Specifically, borrowers were representing that “current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the applicant”. (more…)
CARES Act - Individual Provisions
The CARES Act contains several provisions to get cash directly into the hands of taxpayers who are either currently employed or not working. These sources of cash include:
CARES Act - Business Provisions
While businesses are carefully watching their cash flow, The CARES Act contains several provisions to provide cash for immediate operating needs:
SBA Relief Program Comparison Chart
For additional information and daily updates, see:
- The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act Eases PPP Forgiveness Rules
- SBA Releases Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application and Limited Guidance
- SBA Releases Additional Guidance Regarding Certification of “Need” for PPP Loan
- SBA Announces Retro-Active Change to Paycheck Protection Loan Program
- Paycheck Protection Program Loans for Taxpayers with Self-Employment Income
- Paycheck Protection Program and Forgivable Loans Summary
- COVID-19 and Tax Changes
COVID-19 and the Impact on Your Financial Statements
By Nick Sabbatini, CPA, Audit Manager
By now, we are all aware of the Coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having on our lives, including the impact on businesses and the overall economy. Companies are working remotely, where possible. Disruptions to vendor and customer bases, market value declines and day-to-day changes in the global economy are also creating broad impacts to companies’ operations.
At this point, the general impacts on operations for most companies are known through media coverage and changes in our daily lives, but most of us may not be fully aware of the impact on financial reporting. We have summarized a few financial statement considerations: (more…)