Coronavirus / COVID-19: 2020
Client Updates & More
- Client Updates – Business/Corporate
- Client Updates – Employment/Employee Benefits
- Client Updates – Education
Business/Corporate
- December 22, 2020 – Revisions to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Second Round of Loans and Clarity on Tax Deductions among PPP-Related Updates in Latest Federal Stimulus Bill
- November 9, 2020 – Unpublished Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Necessity Questionnaires Provide Insights, Raise Questions Regarding “Need Certification” Review for Larger Borrowers
- November 2, 2020 – Federal Reserve Modifies Terms of Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) to Increase Loan Availability for Smaller Businesses
- October 8, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) Issues Procedural Notice regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and Changes of Ownership / M&A
- September 4, 2020 – IRS Confirms Payroll Tax Deferral Is Optional
- September 1, 2020 – Payroll Tax Deferral Guidance
- August 6, 2020 – Small Business Administration and Treasury Issue FAQs on Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Issues Four Days prior to Loan Application Deadline
- August 25, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) Issues New Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Rulemaking regarding “Owner-Employee” Exemption, Forgiveness Limitations on Related-Party Lease Payments and More
- June 23, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury Department Release Updated Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Guidance
- June 17, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury Department Post Updated Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Applications and Instructions
- June 16, 2020 – Federal Reserve Seeks Feedback on Non-Profit Expansion of Main Street Lending Program
- June 16, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) Reopens its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance Programs to All Eligible Applicants
- June 9, 2020 – Federal Reserve Announces Expansion to Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), Seeks to Facilitate More Lending to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
- June 8, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury Announce Plans to Update Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Applications and Rules, State Deadline for PPP Loan Approvals Remains June 30, 2020
- June 5, 2020 – President Signs Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act into Law, Implementing Bipartisan PPP Amendments Broadly Supported by Congress
- June 5, 2020 – IRS Temporarily Drops “Physical Presence” Requirement for Spousal Consents
- June 1, 2020 – What should I Do If My Customer Isn’t Paying as Promised or Files Bankruptcy?
- May 26, 2020 – What Health Care Clients Need to Know about Executive Orders 2020-96 and 2020-97
- May 26, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) Issues Additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Guidance, Supplementing Loan Forgiveness Application
- May 26, 2020 – My Supplier Filed Bankruptcy. What Steps Should I Take?
- May 18, 2020 – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Audit and Compliance Preparedness Program
- May 18, 2020 – Small Business Administration (SBA) Releases Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application, Additional Forgiveness Guidance to Follow
- May 18, 2020 – Think You Might Need To Restructure? Here’s What To Gather For Your Advisors
- May 15, 2020 – Protecting Your Insurance Claim for Business Losses Related to COVID-19
- May 11, 2020 – The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 – A Practical Restructuring Tool
- May 6, 2020 – Safe Harbor for PPP “Need” Certification Extended to May 14
- May 1, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Extends and Renews Declaration of Emergency Through May 28; Michigan Legislature Indicates That It May Challenge the Legality of the Extension
- May 1, 2020 – Does My Business Need to Repay its PPP Loan by May 7?
- May 1, 2020 – Main Street Lending Program: Federal Reserve Board Expanding Scope and Eligibility
- April 24, 2020 – Congress Passes the CARES Enhancement Act Targeting Small Businesses and Health Care Providers
- April 24, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Extends Stay Home, Stay Safe Order Through May 15, Permitting Some In-Person Business Operations to Resume
- April 16, 2020 – Paycheck Protection Program Hits $349 Billion CARES Act Limit; New Application Processing Suspended
- April 13, 2020 – Updated: Tax Return and Payment Relief Chart
- April 13, 2020 – Signing an Estate Plan from home During COVID-19: Governor Whitmer Executive Order Allows for Remote Witnessing and Notarization
- April 13, 2020 – Construction Has Stopped: What’s In My Contract?
- April 10, 2020 – Paycheck Protection Program: Update on FAQs from Small Business Administration
- April 10, 2020 – Federal Governments Distributes $30 Billion to Health Care Providers Under the CARES Act
- April 9, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Extends Stay Home, Stay Safe Order Through April 30, with New Requirement for COVID-19 Response Plan and New Restrictions on Retail Stores
- April 7, 2020 – Michigan Legislature Extends Emergency Declaration Through April 30 and Announces Bipartisan Task Force To Recommend Reopening Some Businesses
- April 7, 2020 – Impact of CARES ACT for Charitable Giving During COVID-19 Pandemic
- April 6, 2020 – New Exception for Faith-Based Organizations in SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) “Affiliation” Rules
- April 2, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Issues New Order Declaring State of Disaster and Asks Legislature to Extend the State of Emergency until June 3, 2020
- March 30, 2020 – Resources for Operations and Employees Outside Michigan
- March 27, 2020 – Apply now for Michigan Small Business Relief funds
- March 27, 2020 – IRS Announces Taxpayer-Friendly “People First Initiative”
- March 24, 2020 – Estate Planning Considerations During COVID-19
- March 24, 2020 – Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service Jointly Announce Guidance on Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave Tax Credits
- March 23, 2020 – Forced Shutdown of Businesses in Michigan By Executive Order
- March 23, 2020 – Treasury Issues Additional Guidance on Extension of Federal Income Tax Payment and Filing Deadlines
- March 20, 2020 – Executive Orders Enforcing Lock-Down and Closing All Non-Essential Businesses
- March 20, 2020 – Treasury Announces Extension of Federal Income Tax Filing Deadlines
- March 20, 2020 -Governor Whitmer Issues Executive Order To Allow For Remote Board Meetings
- March 20, 2020 – Steps to take when a tenant’s employee tests positive for Covid-19
- March 19, 2020 – Evaluating Whether COVID-19 Excuses Nonperformance Based on Impossibility, Frustration of Purpose, or Impracticability
- March 19, 2020 – Treasury Issues Official Guidance on Extension of Time to Pay Taxes
- March 18, 2020 – Treasury Announces Extension on Time to Pay Taxes
- March 17, 2020 – Temporary Ban on Large Gatherings Revised to Limit Gatherings to 50 People and Exclude Private Workspaces and Other Essential Public Spaces
- March 17, 2020 – General Business Considerations for Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- March 16, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Issues Executive Order Restricting Access to and Use of Places of Public Accommodation
- March 14, 2020 – Assessing Business Interruption Insurance to Offset COVID-19 Related Loss
- March 14, 2020 – Assessing Force Majeure Clauses in Response to COVID-19
- March 13, 2020 – Executive Order Signed By Governor Whitmer to Mitigate Coronavirus Impacts Businesses
Employment
- December 31, 2020 – New Amendments to Michigan Public Act 238, updating protections for workers who do not report to work when they or their close contacts have COVID-19
- December 22, 2020 – FFCRA Not Fully Extended into 2021 But Small Private Sector Employers Can Still Receive Tax Credit for Paid Sick/Family Care Leave
- October 29, 2020 – When Can Employers Terminate COBRA Coverage During the COVID-19 Outbreak Period?
- September 14, 2020 – DOL Revises FFCRA Regulations in Response to New York Federal Court’s Decision
- August 27, 2020 – Health Plans May Now Use PHI to Inform Certain Participants about Plasma Donation for Battling COVID-19
- August 7, 2020 – Changes to the FFCRA Regulations?
- June 24, 2020 – President Trump Issues New Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry for Nonimmigrants Seeking to Enter the U.S. on H-1B, H-2B, L-1, and J-1 Visas and Continuing Proclamation 10014
- June 9, 2020 – MIOSHA Penalties and Enforcement Scheme in Governor’s Executive Orders Are Invalidated
- May 28, 2020 – COBRA, HIPAA, and Claim Deadline Extensions are Optional for State and Local Governmental Group Health Plans
- May 22, 2020 – OSHA 300 Log: OSHA Issues Updated Enforcement Policy Related To COVID-19 Work-Relatedness Determinations
- May 15, 2020 – IRS Allows Unprecedented Mid-Year Election Changes under Section 125 Cafeteria Plans
- May 11, 2020 – Disability Self-ID Form Updated for Federal Contractors/Subcontractors
- May 7, 2020 – EEO-1 Report Filing Delayed Until 2021 Due to COVID-19
- May 1, 2020 – New Relief for Employee Benefit Plans Includes Key Time Extensions for Individuals
- April 28, 2020 – EO 2020-59’s “Face Covering” Requirement and What That Means for Michigan Employers
- April 24, 2020 – Summary of Government Funding Targeting Health Care Providers
- April 23, 2020 – President Trump Issues Proclamation Suspending the Entry of Certain Immigrant Categories
- April 16, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Issues New Executive Order Requiring Enhanced Protections For Residents and Staff of Long-Term Care Facilities
- April 13, 2020 – FAQs Clarify FFCRA and CARES Act Health Plan Requirements
- April 7, 2020 – Payroll Tax Credits Under the FFCRA and the CARES Act: Determining Qualified Health Plan Expenses
- April 3, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Issues New Executive Order Requiring Workers to Stay Home If They Have COVID-19, Have COVID-19 Symptoms, or Have Been in Close Contact with Such a Person
- April 2, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Cancels Remainder of School Year
- April 2, 2020 – Department of Labor Issues Regulations Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
- April 1, 2020 – CARES Act Suspends Withholding Obligations for Employers on Some Defaulted Federal Student Loans
- April 1, 2020 – Participant Notice Requirements For CARES Act Health Plan Changes
- March 31, 2020 – NOT SO FAST! Why Trying to Solve the COVID-19 Crisis may Exacerbate the Future Retirement Crisis
- March 30, 2020 – IRS Extends Amendment Deadlines for 403(b) Plans and Pre-Approved Defined Benefit Plans
- March 30, 2020 – CARES Act – Enhanced Unemployment Benefits
- March 30, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Issues Executive Order Expanding the Scope of Practice for Health Care Professionals
- March 30, 2020 – Resources for Operations and Employees Outside Michigan
- March 30, 2020 – Health Benefit Plan Provisions in the CARES Act
- March 30 , 2020 – Is Michigan Executive Order 2020-21 a “Quarantine or Isolation Order” that Triggers Benefits Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act?
- March 26, 2020 – U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance Regarding Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- March 25, 2020 – Insurer Offers Special Enrollment Period Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
- March 23, 2020 – No Cost-sharing for Coronavirus Testing
- March 23, 2020 – Forced Shutdown of Businesses in Michigan By Executive Order
- March 20, 2020 – Governer Whitmer Issues Executive Order Postponing Non-Essential Medical and Dental Procedures
- March 20, 2020 – Executive Orders Enforcing Lock-Down and Closing All Non-Essential Businesses
- March 20, 2020 – Cost Savings Examples of Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plans
- March 19, 2020 – EEOC Okays Temperature Checks During COVID-19 Pandemic
- March 19, 2020 – President Trump Signs Law Providing Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA Leave for Absences Related to COVID-19
- March 17, 2020 – Medicare and Medicaid Waivers
- March 16, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Issues Executive Order Temporarily Expanding Unemployment Eligibility and Benefits Relating to Coronavirus
- March 16, 2020 – Michigan Supreme Court Emphasizes Public Safety over Procedure, Allows Trial Courts To Implement Emergency Measures
- March 13, 2020 – COVID-19 and Employers: What you Need to Know
- March 12, 2020 – IRS Says COVID-19 Testing and Treatment May Be Covered by High Deductible Health Plans with No Participant Cost-Sharing
Education
- EEOC: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws
- COVID-19 Response and Reopening Liability Assurance Act (10/2020)
- Employer Immunity from Employee Exposure to COVID-19 (10/2020)
- COVID-19 Employment Rights (Act 238 of 2020) (10/2020)
- MDHHS: Reporting of Confirmed and Probable Cases of COVID-19 at Schools (10/06/2020)
Relevant Blog Posts
- March 19, 2020 – Emerging Employee Benefit Issues during the C-19 Pandemic
- March 11, 2020 – Help! My Employees Need To Work From Home Because of the Coronavirus!
- March 5, 2020 – Coronavirus: Key Legal Employment Issues
- January 30, 2020 – Cold, Flu, Coronavirus: Likely Covered Under State Paid Sick Laws, Including Michigan’s PMLA
Relevant Links
- April 23, 2020 – Governor Whitmer and Michigan’s Financial Institutions Agree to Partnership for Providing Borrowers 90-day Mortgage-Payment Forbearance
- April 22, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Extending Case-Initiation Deadlines in Civil and Probate Matters
- April 17, 2020 – Treasury Issues Guidance About New Tax Deadlines for Individuals, Businesses
- April 17, 2020 – Emergency Relief Funds Now Available to Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations through Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
- April 17, 2020 – Governor Whitmer and Headspace Launch ‘Stay Home, Stay Mindful’ website to Offer Free Mental Health Resources During COVID-19 Pandemic
- April 14, 2020 – Michigan Treasury: Business Taxpayers Can Pay Monthly, Quarterly Sales, Use and Withholding Tax in May
- April 10, 2020 – Self-Employed, Other Newly Eligible Workers Can Apply for Unemployment on Monday, $600 Federal Payments Also Begin
- April 8, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Temporary Suspending Requirements Regarding Licensing and Regulations of Emergency Medical Services
- April 5, 2020 – Governor Whitmer signs Executive Order extending temporary restrictions on entry into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities
- April 2, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Suspending Face-to-Face Learning at K-12 Schools for Remainder of School Year
- April 1, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Expanding COVID-19 Emergency Declaration and Declaring State of Disaster
- March 30, 2020 – Governor Announces New Programs to Increase and Expand Unemployment Benefits for Workers Affected by COVID-19; Benefits increased for all unemployed workers, expanded to self-employed and low-wage workers
- March 29, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order for Temporary relief from certain restrictions and requirements
governing the provision of medical services - March 27, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Changing City, State Income Tax Filing Deadlines to July 2020
- March 27, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Expanding Absentee Voting in May 5 Elections
- March 25, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Temporarily Allowing Employment, Other Administrative Hearings by Video Conference
- March 25, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Easing Restrictions on Pharmacists, Increasing Access to Prescriptions
- March 20 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Temporarily Suspending Evictions
- March 18, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Expanding Capacity for Disaster Relief Child Care Services for Essential Workforce
- March 18, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Extending Tax Foreclosure Deadline
- Proposed Employment Law Changes in House Bill Providing Emergency Paid Leave Hits Snag, Final Law Expected this Week after Senate Negotiations
- March 16, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Expands Unemployment Benefits for Michigan Workers
- March 16, 2020 – Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Temporarily Closing Bars, Theaters, Casinos, and Other Public Spaces; Limiting Restaurants to Delivery and Carry-Out Orders
- March 14, 2020 – The US House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- March 13, 2020 – Statement by the Department of Defense on Domestic Travel Restrictions
- March 10, 2020 – Michigan Governor Whitmer issued Temporary Restrictions on Entry into Health Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities, Congregate Care Facilities, and Juvenile Justice Facilities