Coronavirus (Covid-19): Tax Relief Information

March 23, 2020 12:01 PM

IMPORTANT Due to Governer Gretchen Whitmer's Stay-At-Home Order for Michigan, our office doors will be closed to the general public. We will have limited staff working onsite and remotely, so we will continue business as usual with processing payrolls, completing tax returns, and bookkeeping, but our office will not be accessible for appointments. Our preferred method of communication at this time is via email, but if you would like to leave us a message, please visit the Contact Us page for direct phone line information. We do have a Live Chat feature that has been added to our website as well. Read below regarding the following:

Drop-offs: Please use the drop-off box located at the rear of the building near the backdoor. You MUST include your name AND phone number even if you think we have it on file. Tax returns will not be filed without receipt of payment, so be sure to include payment along with signed forms that are being dropped off OR you may call to make a payment with a credit/debit card by phone after your signed forms have been dropped off.

Pick-Ups: When your return is complete and ready for pick-up: YOU WILL RECEIVE A CALL. While we understand that clients might be eager to receive their return information back, to have it filed and dealt with; this is a unique time for our office. Our phone lines will be tied up due to physical appointments being cancelled, so please be patient and allow us to reach out to you about the status of your return before calling our office.

On Arrival: Please call 269-926-2191 ext 0 when you arrive to let us know that you are here to pick-up and what type of item you are picking up. One of our staff members will deliver the items to your car for a curbside pick-up. Alternatively, you can send a text to 415-329-7690 with your name, item you are picking up, and vehicle make/model to notify us that you are here. (Standard text messaging and data rates may apply.)

Thank you for understanding and bearing with us as we transition our practice and availability to make things safer for everyone during this State of Emergency. We hope that everyone will be in good health and that our clients and their families remain well.

Sincerely, Everyone at Tri-County Bookkeepers

FEDERAL TAX RETURNS

Issued: March 17, 2020

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that taxpayers can delay paying their income taxes on as much as $1 million in taxes owed for up to 90 days (4/15 deadlines extended to 7/15). Corporate filers would get the same length of time to pay amounts due on up to $10 million in taxes owed. The IRS, using authority under President Trump’s national emergency declaration, will waive interest and penalties as well. During this three-month deferral period, taxpayers won’t be subject to interest and penalties. The tax deadline delay pushes the due date for last year’s returns and taxes from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. The delay is available to people who owe $1 million or less and corporations that owe $10 million or less.

Source: AICPA - State Tax Filing Relief Chart for Coronavirus

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Issued: March 17, 2020

Per the State of Michigan's declared State of Emergency related to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Executive Order 2020-04 - the Department of Treasury is recognizing the potential challenges being faced by taxpayers. They are now waiving penalty and interest for the late payment or the late filing of Sales Tax & Withholding returns due on March 20, 2020. The waiver will be effective for a period of 30 days; therefore, any return or payment currently due on March 20, 2020 may be submitted to to the Department without penalty or interest through April 20, 2020.

The waiver is limited to sales, use, and withholding payments and returns due March 20, 2020. Any pamyent or return otherwise due after that date will not be eligible for the current waiver. The waiver is not available for accelerated sales, use, or withholding tax filers. Those taxpayers should continue to file returns and remit any tax due as the original due dates.

Further questions regarding this Notice may be directed to the Department at (517) 636-6925.

Source: Michigan Department of Treasury - Notice: SUW Penalty and Waiver Notice

UNEMPLOYMENT

The State of Michigan is temporarily expanding unemployment eligibility and cost-sharing. For more information, please click the link below:

Contemplating Potential Layoffs?
If your business is being affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we urge you to follow the link below. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has provided a guide for Michigan employers on how to avoid potential layoffs related to COVID-19.

Work Share Program:
Filing for Unemployment:
Notice to Employers & Seeking Work Waivers: Please visit MiWAM to read the notice to employers who are temporarily laying off workers. The Agency provides a link with information about the timeframe for requesting the waiver, as well as the instructions on how to request the waiver.

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