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

Employer tax credits form, employee retention credit guidance posted

The IRS issued a new form and instructions for employers to use to obtain advance payments of three tax credits that were created to help businesses cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing pandemic-related audit challenges

Auditors face many new challenges as they work through the coronavirus pandemic. The AICPA Center for Plain English Accounting has posted new guidance on handling those challenges.

IRS waives failure-to-deposit penalties during pandemic

The IRS is permitting eligible employers who pay qualifying wages to retain an amount of the payroll taxes equal to the amount of qualifying wages that they paid, rather than deposit them with the IRS.

Enterprise risk management: More critical than ever

The fast-moving, global reach of the coronavirus has illustrated that a forward-looking approach to risk management is more important than ever.

Applications for small business Paycheck Protection Program open April 3

Small businesses and sole proprietorships hoping to secure a loan through the federal Paycheck Protection Program can begin applying Friday, April 3.

Recovery rebate payments to be issued within 3 weeks

The IRS has issued guidance on these payments, which it calls “economic impact payments,” and says they generally will be direct-deposited to most qualifying taxpayers’ bank accounts in the next three weeks without taxpayers having to do anything.

Gift and GST returns added to postponed tax and filing deadlines

The IRS postponed the payment and return filing requirements for gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes due April 15 to July 15, matching prior postponements granted to federal income taxes and returns.

Coronavirus paid sick leave and family leave guidance issued

The IRS issues rules to implement paid sick and child care leave credits enacted in response to the pandemic.

Optional delay provided in regulatory capital transition to credit losses standard

Three federal bank regulatory agencies issued an interim final rule providing an optional extension of the regulatory capital transition for FASB’s new credit losses standard.

CPA Exam emergency testing period invoked

An emergency testing period for the CPA Exam is being invoked as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 second-quarter testing window is being extended from June 10 to June 30.