The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has announced immediate help for small businesses on sales taxes in response to COVID-19. Small businesses can immediately request a one-month extension to file sales and use tax returns due March 31, 2020 until April 30, 2020 and due April 30, 2020 until June 1, 2020. The DOR will […]

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will pay (and relieve the borrower of any obligation to pay) the principal, interest, and any associated fees that are owed on certain existing SBA 7(a) loans for a six-month period starting on the next payment due date. Loans currently in deferment would be entitled to an additional six months […]

On Monday, March 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued further guidance for employers on the Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act (FFCRA). You can find the updated DOL guidance here. For private sector employers, the updated DOL guidance does the following: Updates Q #8 clarifying the regular rate calculation when it includes commissions, […]

On Friday afternoon, Governor Tony Evers and Secretary-designee Andrea Palm issued Emergency Order #15, a Temporary Ban on Evictions and Foreclosures. The Order generally prevents the commencement and continuation of eviction and foreclosure proceedings statewide for a period of 60 days commencing March 27, 2020. The Order raises some practical considerations for landlords and tenants […]

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This article summarizes the tax relief provisions for businesses other than the payroll tax relief provisions that are contained in the Act. Modifications to Net Operating Losses (NOLs) The use of NOLs for businesses will be expanded with […]

The CARES Act allows small businesses to receive forgivable loans of up to $10,000,000 to be used for payroll, rent, health benefits, retirement benefits, utilities and other expenses. This article summarizes the key provisions relating to the forgivable loan program, including the eligibility, use, and forgiveness requirements. On March 27, 2020,  President Trump signed the […]

In response to the ongoing pandemic, on March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the coronavirus or COVID-19, a national disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This declaration put into play a little-known existing provision of the tax law –Section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 139 allows employers […]

As we blogged about here, the State of Wisconsin issued a statewide Safer at Home Order, which came into effect at 8:00 a.m. on March 25, 2020. Since then, Governor Evers has published Safer At Home FAQs regarding that Order. Some of the highlights are: Individuals do not need special permission or documentation to leave […]

In providing general guidance to employers, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) are effective on April 1, 2020, and not on April 2, 2020 as widely reported. The Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (“FMLEA”) and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act […]

Some business insurance policies may provide coverage for a “business interruption” resulting from recent government orders requiring the suspension of business operations. On March 24, 2020, Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued Emergency Order #12, Safer At Home Order, a copy of which can be found here. The Order is […]

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