Author: Robert Hernandez

House Passes Bill That Would Relax PPP Forgiveness Requirements

The U.S. House approved legislation Thursday making it easier for small businesses and other recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding to qualify for forgiveness of the loans. The House bill, called the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, H.R. 7010, extends from eight weeks to 24 weeks...

01 June, 2020

From the HR Support Center: Do we still have to provide emergency paid sick leave or expanded FMLA if we lay off or furlough employees?

Do we still have to provide emergency paid sick leave or expanded FMLA if we lay off or furlough employees? No. Employers who are closed — either due to lack of business or a state or local order — do not have to provide these leaves....

29 May, 2020

IRS People First Initiative Provides Relief to Taxpayers

Due to COVID-19, the IRS is providing relief on a variety of issues as part of the People First Initiative. The IRS is modifying certain activities through the filing and payment deadline, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Here’s what people need to know about relief related...

28 May, 2020

Clergy Staff May Deduct Remote Work Expenses

With the current quarantine situation in many states, many more people are working from home. While most non-clergy employees can no longer deduct unreimbursed employee expenses on Schedule A, Clergy still have the ability to deduct these expenses on Schedule SE, their self-employment tax schedule. If...

27 May, 2020

Retool, Retrench, and Rebuild: A Framework for Managing Your Workforce Through Uncertainty

Pivoting in Uncertain Times Uncertainty is uncomfortable—and inspirational. Companies across America are pivoting to meet new demand and rethink operations. They combine creativity, determination, and technology to retool, retrench and rebuild. New production lines, online shops, takeout, curbside service, home delivery, remote work, drive-by clinics and...

26 May, 2020

COVID-19 and Workers’ Compensation

Employers and workers would all like a simple set of rules that describe how the pandemic affects the workers' compensation system. However, the system is very much in flux and is subject to widely varying state rules. Is COVID-19 Subject to Workers' Comp? The answer is …...

25 May, 2020

From the HR Support Center: Can we reduce pay because of economic slowdown due to COVID-19?

You can reduce an employee's rate of pay based on business or economic slowdown, provided that this is not done retroactively. For instance, if you give employees notice that their pay will change on the 10th, and your payroll period runs from the 1st through...

22 May, 2020

How You Can Support the Mental Health of Your Employees During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. People have experienced financial hardship, additional challenges with childcare and school cancellations, job loss, reduced hours, sickness, and grief. The future is uncertain, and the present is extra stressful. And to make matters worse,...

21 May, 2020

EEOC Releases Extensive COVID-19 Guidance

In early May, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission published extensive guidance for employers and employees on how various laws and regulations apply to the pandemic. Below are some highlights, but it's a good idea to review the entire page. Can an ADA-covered employer take the body...

19 May, 2020

IRS Notice clarifies deductibility of the Paycheck Protection Program’s small business loans

IRS Notice 2020-32 provides guidance regarding the deductibility for Federal income tax purposes of certain otherwise deductible expenses incurred in a taxpayer's trade or business when the taxpayer receives a loan pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program. The guidance clarifies a point of confusion in...

18 May, 2020