The Employee Retention Credit (ERC), was enacted in March 2020 as part of the CARES Act and has since been modified twice by Congress to provide greater benefits to employers. Currently, eligible employers may claim a credit equal to 70 percent of the “qualified wages” paid to employees, up to a maximum credit of $7,000 per employee per quarter. If the credit exceeds amounts owed for payroll taxes the excess is fully refundable so it can generate cash for your business. (more…)
Employee Retention Credit Now Offers Big Benefits to Employers
The Employee Retention Credit was enacted in March 2020 as part of the CARES Act. It was enhanced and expanded when business relief legislation passed in December 2020 making it a more valuable option to generate cash flow. The amount of the credit was significantly increased, employers are now allowed to claim the credit until June 30, 2021, and the restriction that prevented employers with PPP loans from claiming this credit was repealed retroactively to March 2020. This repeal offers a significant opportunity for PPP loan borrowers to now benefit from this credit.
For employers eligible in 2020, the credit can be claimed on amended payroll tax returns and offset the employer portion of Social Security tax, but any excess credit is fully refundable. For 2021, employers can reduce their current federal payroll tax deposits and even request an advanced refund from the IRS. (more…)
Pros and Cons of Using Retirement Accounts for Emergencies
As businesses and individuals continue to feel the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, some taxpayers might be considering tapping into their tax-qualified retirement accounts, either to keep their businesses operating or to meet personal cash needs. Certain provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act made this strategy more accessible for many taxpayers.
Business owners, plan administrators, and individual taxpayers considering such a move should familiarize themselves with the CARES Act’s special rules, as well as the general advantages and disadvantages of using retirement accounts to manage temporary cash shortfalls. (more…)
2020 Tax Preparation - Prepare for an Unprecedented Tax Season
With the end of 2020 approaching, it is time to prepare for what promises to be an unprecedented tax season. Here are some of the key issues that business owners, financial officers, and tax executives should consider now.
Note: This is by no means a complete list, and the tax consequences of some pandemic relief programs might change. (more…)
Looking Back - Retroactive Tax Relief for COVID-19 Losses
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…)
The Cares Act Creates Charitable Tax Incentives
Many individuals incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans, providing assistance to their favorite charities while preserving sufficient assets for their heirs. Typically, the charitable donations are structured to maximize the tax benefits on the books.
Now, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act increases those tax incentives. Under the CARES Act — adopted to address the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic — taxpayers of all stripes may realize additional tax savings from charitable donations in 2020. (more…)
COVID-19 Recovery - How the Employee Retention Credit Could Improve Cash Flow
As post-COVID recovery efforts gain momentum, many businesses are taking a fresh look at some federal stimulus and tax relief programs they had not previously considered. One such program, the employee retention credit contained in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, could be especially useful in helping companies bring back furloughed or laid-off employees.
In addition to helping reduce employment tax obligations, it could also help cash-strapped companies of any size improve cash flow during times of reduced revenue. (more…)
Qualified Improvement Property Changes Create Tax Savings
By Rachel Gillespie, CPA, Principal
ASL Real Estate Group
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act created several new funding options and tax opportunities for Bay Area businesses. This includes the Paycheck Protection Program, changes to Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and the introduction of payroll tax credits for qualifying paid sick leave and for employee retention efforts. The central focus of the changes was to provide immediate cash flow opportunities through low-interest loans, payroll tax credits, and other incentives. While these provisions in the CARES Act often receive the most attention, there was another change that can provide immediate cash flow benefits to both landlords and tenants. Through a technical correction provided in the CARES Act, Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) placed into service in 2018 or later, is now considered 15-year property and eligible for 100% bonus depreciation. This technical correction opens the door to new saving opportunities for qualifying taxpayers. (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: