Keeping you informed and prepared amid the coronavirus crisis

The spread of the novel coronavirus presents serious concerns and challenges for many around the world. To help, below we’re gathering the latest news stories along with relevant columns, tips, podcasts, and videos from the Journal of Accountancy. You can also read the latest news on advocacy and tax reliefthe CARES Act, and the Paycheck Protection Program.

The Association, the global voice of the American Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, is continually monitoring the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on members, staff, exam candidates, students, and the profession. Visit this page on AICPA.org for updates and details about where to find the information you need.

COVID-19 news and resources

Number of US companies planning space reduction grows slightly

Questions asked as part of a quarterly economic sentiment survey show that more companies expect to cut back on office space in the coming year.

SBA eyes early April to begin Restaurant Revitalization Fund rollout

The SBA is targeting early April to launch a phased rollout of the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

SBA raises COVID-19 EIDL loan limit to $500,000

The SBA announced that starting the week of April 6 it will more than triple the maximum amount that small businesses and nonprofits can borrow under the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.

Tax filing postponement doesn’t go far enough, AICPA says

The IRS has postponed individual returns’ due date to May 17, but June 15 remains a more appropriate date for many reasons, the AICPA says.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program to open April 8

The SBA will begin accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant applications on April 8. Entities interested in applying can sign up for updates via a splash page for the new SVOG application portal.

New PPP guidance implements changes from American Rescue Plan Act

The SBA issued an interim final rule incorporating revisions to the Paycheck Protection Program made by the American Rescue Plan Act. The new guidance also rules that entities that receive a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant cannot subsequently receive a PPP loan.

Vacation and sick day accruals during the pandemic

Travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic have caused many employees to defer their paid time off, resulting in a buildup of liabilities for compensated absences. As a result, CPAs need to take great care in calculating, reporting, and auditing these liabilities.

IRS postpones April 15 deadline

The IRS announced that it is postponing the April 15 deadline for individual tax returns and payments. The postponement applies only to individual taxpayers. Formal guidance is expected in the near future.

Federal aid could hobble new state tax cuts and credits

The American Rescue Plan Act’s $350 billion in “fiscal recovery” aid to states comes with a big string attached — the states may not use the money to offset new tax credits or other revenue reductions.

House passes PPP deadline extension in 415-3 vote

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 415-3 Tuesday night to extend the Paycheck Protection Program application deadline by 60 days. The PPP Extension Act of 2021 moves the PPP application deadline from March 31 to May 31 and allots an additional 30 days for processing applications received by May.