Guidance issued on 2021 qualified sick and family leave wage reporting
Information reporting on Form W-2 or a separate statement allows self-employed taxpayers to claim qualified sick leave and qualified family leave equivalent credits.
COVID-19
COVID-19 resurgence, tight labor market lead to drop in optimism
Although finance professionals are optimistic about their own businesses’ economic prospects, the delta variant’s spread and scarcity of job seekers caused concerns that were reflected in a modest drop in the CPA Outlook Index in the AICPA Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program enters supplemental phase
The SBA is sending out invitations for Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) recipients to apply for supplemental funding from the $16.25 billion program.
Staffing and COVID-19 relief programs are firms’ top concerns in 2021
Hiring qualified staff emerged as the No. 1 concern of firms employing six or more people in the 2021 AICPA Private Companies Practice Section CPA Firm Top Issues survey.
Interruption of LIFO inventories due to COVID-19 and Sec. 473 relief
Global supply chain problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have made it difficult for US companies to replace inventories, potentially subjecting them to additional taxable income. The AICPA has requested relief under Sec. 473.
How to retain staff amid surging turnover
Experts theorize that the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to increased burnout and that employees who stayed in their jobs in 2020 now feel more comfortable leaving.
Better remote job interviews and ERC updates
A CPA shares how her organization made remote job candidates feel more comfortable thanks to an improved interview process.
Closing date set for new Shuttered Venue Operator Grant applications
The SBA will stop accepting new applications at the end of next week for the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG) program. The SBA has awarded $8.4 billion in SVOG grants to more than 10,800 recipients and will offer those entities the chance to seek additional funding.
Certification deadline extended for work opportunity tax credit
Certain employers have until Nov. 8 to submit a required worker certification request to a designated local agency for purposes of the work opportunity credit.
New safe harbor for ERC gross receipts calculation
Under the safe harbor, an employer can exclude certain amounts received from other coronavirus economic relief programs in determining whether it qualifies for the employee retention credit based on a decline in gross receipts.
AICPA guidance addresses SVOG, RRF accounting questions
Shuttered Venue Operators Grants and Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants can pose accounting challenges for practitioners. The AICPA issued guidance that suggests how not-for-profits and private business entities can account for these grants.
Infrastructure bill would end ERC, increase cryptoasset reporting
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by the Senate on Tuesday, contains a few tax provisions, most notably it would end the employee retention credit on Sept. 30. It would also require information reporting about cryptoasset transfers.
Will sweatpants come to the office when we return?
HR professionals at several CPA firms offer ideas on how to ease teams back into office mode while preserving comfort.
Guidance on claiming the ERC for third and fourth quarters of 2021
New guidance clarifies the application of the credit to “recovery startup businesses” and the treatment of wages paid to majority owners and their spouses.
How to effectively support working parents during a crisis
Helping employees maintain health and efficiency during a crisis requires flexibility, empathy, and consistent communication. Employers can follow these tips to help employees during a crisis.
How CPAs helped save businesses during COVID-19
Many small businesses were forced to reinvent themselves to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how CPAs who offer client advisory services helped business-owner clients explore new options for creating revenue.
SBA streamlines forgiveness process for most PPP loans
The SBA issued new guidance intended to speed up and simplify the forgiveness process for Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or less, which represent 93% of the outstanding loans in the $800 billion program.
COBRA premium assistance credit clarified further
The IRS has supplemented its guidance on COBRA premium payment assistance and the corresponding business tax credit under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Shuttered Venue Operator Grant awards top $7.5 billion, SBA says
The SBA has awarded more than $7.5 billion in Shuttered Venue Operator Grants to about 10,000 live entertainment venues and other eligible entities.
Ease staff’s fears about returning to the office
Firm leaders can address staff’s anxieties by discussing the rationale for returning to in-person work, communicating transparently about the safety measures they are taking, implementing employee feedback and, when possible, giving staff control over when they return.
