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.
Cybersecurity requirements provide new opportunity for CPAs
CPAs can be engaged as third-party assessors of US defense contractors’ compliance with new cybersecurity requirements.
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.
AICPA asks for guidance on S corp. and partnership PPP loan forgiveness
In a letter dated March 15, the AICPA asked for IRS guidance on how S corporations and partnerships should treat tax-exempt income from PPP loan forgiveness, especially when it occurs during a different tax period.
Climate change disclosure comments sought by SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking public comment on its disclosure rules and guidance related to climate change disclosures.
SBA defers EIDL payments until 2022
The SBA extended deferral periods for all disaster loans, including those made through the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. With the deferral, small businesses that received a COVID-19 EIDL loan won’t have to make a first payment on the loan until next year.
Opening doors for others: The first Black woman to become a CPA
In 1943, Mary T. Washington Wylie became the nation’s first Black woman to earn the CPA license. Her life illustrates the difference that one enterprising professional can make for many future generations.
SBA targets early April for Shuttered Venue Operators Grant launch
The SBA expects to begin accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant applications early next month, an agency spokesperson confirmed. The SBA also released an updated pre-application checklist clarifying the requirements for applicants to submit audited financial statements and single audits.
Wanted: More systems and analytics training for accounting students
College and university accounting departments should update their curricula to meet the demands of practice, an AICPA-NASBA gap analysis survey found.
House gives final approval to $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill
The bill contains numerous tax provisions, including a $1,400 rebate for individuals. It also extends federal unemployment benefits and provides funds for small businesses, COVID-19 vaccination and testing, K-12 schools and colleges and universities, and state and local governments.
Buyer beware: Celebrity-endorsed SPACs
Investors shouldn’t base investing decisions on celebrity involvement in a special-purpose acquisition company, the SEC warned.
American Rescue Plan Act passes with many tax components
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that passed Congress contains many tax provisions, including changes to the child tax credit and many other credits, making certain unemployment benefits tax-free in 2020, and a $1,400 recovery rebate credit for many individuals.
AICPA’s Simpson pushes for PPP deadline delay at congressional hearing
The AICPA’s vice president for Firm Services, Lisa Simpson, CPA, CGMA, told a congressional committee during a hearing that Congress should push back the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program by at least 60 days.
PEEC addresses ‘Records Requests,’ limits on loaning staff to attest clients
The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee issued an amendment that clarifies the responsibilities of AICPA members responding to client requests for client-provided records. PEEC also limited firms’ ability to loan staff to attest clients.
AICPA takes case for PPP deadline delay to Congress
The AICPA sent a letter encouraging congressional leaders to push back the Paycheck Protection Program’s March 31 application deadline at least 60 days.
SBA issues guidance but no start date for Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program
The SBA recently released fresh guidance for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, but the agency still cannot say when the $15 billion program will start accepting applications.
CPAs urged to be voice of calm in PPP storm
Rule changes, deadline pressures, and ongoing processing problems with the Paycheck Protection Program are causing high levels of frustration and anxiety among many small businesses. This creates an opportunity for CPAs to provide calm guidance for stressed clients.
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Preparing clients for new provisions next tax season
As the 2025 filing season approaches, H.R. 1 introduces significant tax reforms that CPAs must be prepared to navigate. These legislative changes represent some of the most comprehensive tax updates in recent years, affecting both individual and corporate taxpayers. This report provides in-depth analysis and guidance on H.R. 1.