Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

On March 31, the IRS released multiple pieces of guidance regarding provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) and the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (“CARES”) Act.  The FFCRA includes two employer social security tax credits for employers of 500 or fewer employees equal to the amount of paid leave that the employer is required to provide to employees related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  (See earlier coverage.)  The CARES Act provides a credit against employer social security tax equal to 50% of qualified wages paid to employees after March 12, 2020, and before December 31, 2020.

On March 20, the IRS issued a news release providing details of how the FFCRA credits will be administered.  (See earlier coverage.)   On March 31, the IRS released IR 2020-62 providing guidance on the availability of the employee retention credit in the CARES Act, Notice 2020-22 providing relief from late deposit penalties for employment tax deposits reduced in anticipation of one of the employer social security tax credits, and new IRS Form 7200 (and form instructions) for claiming a refund of excess social security tax credits.  Below, we discuss the employee retention credit and the guidance released yesterday.
Continue Reading IRS Releases Guidance on Coronavirus-Related Payroll Tax Credits

Earlier this evening, the IRS offered informal guidance in IR-2020-57 regarding its administration of the payroll tax credits enacted as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”) earlier this week.  The Act mandates two forms of paid leave for employees of employers of 500 or fewer employees.  Employers of more than 500 employees are neither subject to the Act’s paid leave requirements or eligible for the payroll tax credits provided under the bill.
Continue Reading IRS Offers Informal Guidance on New Paid Leave Tax Credits; More to Come Next Week

This weekend, the House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a relief bill negotiated with the agencies and supported by the President.  On Monday night, the House of Representatives substantively modified that bill in a follow-on resolution, H. Res. 904, referred to as technical corrections.  Despite the changes, concerns have been expressed about potential gaps in the proposed legislation.  Nonetheless, it is probable that legislation providing relief to at least some affected employees and employers will pass at some point in the not too distant future.
Continue Reading House-Passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Leaves Many with More Questions than Answers