COVID-19 Weekly Digest (April 28, 2021)
A year into the pandemic, and we’d all like to see it behind us. But there are disquieting signs that the virus may be part of our lives for longer than we want. The longer the virus can spread through a non-immunized population, the more chances it has to mutate into strains that are more contagious or more dangerous. Although vaccination rates are still far below what is needed to slow that spread through herd immunity, there are signs that demand for vaccination is slowing. Despite surges in local infections, especially in schools, there is little appetite for a return to lockdowns. Existing vaccines are not as effective against the South African variant; however, by vaccinating as many people as possible now, we have the opportunity to minimize the role that COVID-19 will play in our lives over the long term.
THE AMERICAN RECOVERY PLAN ACT (ARPA)
Economic Impact Payments (aka Stimulus Checks)
The IRS has been sending out a flurry of automated letters regarding stimulus payments and Rebate Recovery Credits. If you received one of those letters, or have questions about how and whether to claim the credit on your tax return, check out this article on the IRS website. If you made a mistake with the credit on your tax return, the IRS will fix it for you. However, if you disagree with their recalculation, you may need to contact the IRS. If you are eligible for the Rebate Recovery Credit but did not include it on your 2020 tax return, you’ll need to file an amended return.
The best way to track your payment is using the IRS Get My Payment tool which has been updated for third round payments.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The SBA has not yet launched this program, but the $28.6 billion fund will offer grants of up to $5 million to restaurants, bars, caterers, and other food and beverage providers once it does launch. The SBA has posted an application and information about the program on its website so that companies can start gathering the necessary information. When the program does launch, days 1-21 will be reserved for applicants from priority groups: businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially disadvantaged. The program also sets aside $5 billion for businesses with 2019 gross receipts under $500,000.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG)
The SBA opened the portal for the SVOG on Monday, April 26. The first 14 days will be reserved for businesses that suffered more than a 90% loss in business, with succeeding application windows for businesses with smaller losses. Grants are available for 45% of 2019 gross revenue, up to a maximum of $10 million. The SBA has a dedicated webpage for the SVOG program, which includes eligibility requirements, video tutorials for the application process, and allowable uses of funds.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Initially, the IRS disallowed business deductions for expenses paid with proceeds of a PPP loan, but late in 2020, Congress specifically authorized those deductions. However, some businesses filed tax returns relying on the initial guidance from the IRS. The IRS has now released a safe harbor mechanism that allows businesses that did not deduct those expenses on their 2020 tax returns to deduct them on their 2021 tax returns. This allows businesses to reap the benefit of those deductions without filing an amended tax return.
Expanded Child Tax Credit
Under ARPA, families with children may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $3,600 per child, which they may begin receiving in monthly installments of up to $300 per child, starting in July. The initial amounts will be estimated based on 2020 tax return data. However, if your income increases substantially during 2021 or if your eligibility otherwise changes, you may have to pay back some of the credit. If you received a larger credit than you’re entitled to, that excess will reduce your 2021 tax refund. The IRS plans to open a portal on July 1 that will give taxpayers the ability to opt out of receiving the monthly payments and to update their information. However, payments are scheduled to start going out on that same day—July 1—so quick action may be needed to avoid an unpleasant tax surprise on your 2021 tax return.
Tax Refund Delays
In normal times, the IRS generally issues tax refunds within 21 days. However, many people are waiting six to eight weeks or even longer to receive refunds from their 2020 tax returns. In addition to rapidly rolling out payments for three waves of stimulus payments, the IRS is still scrambling to administer complex tax changes while processing millions of 2019 tax returns received by mail during summer and fall, plus the deluge of 2020 tax returns filed already. Some refunds are being delayed because the mid-tax-season changes in ARPA may require manual adjustments to returns filed early, while other recent tax changes require additional verification. The best source of information is the IRS Where’s My Refund tool, although some of the responses are not terribly helpful. Contacting the IRS for help can be an exercise in futility: at present, the agency is answering only 7 in 100 phone calls.
Tax-Friendly States are Like Free Lunches
Many retirees move to a new state for financial reasons. However, as this article on Yahoo points out, “tax-free states are like free lunches. There’s no such thing.” States must raise revenue somehow, so states with low or no state income tax may have high property tax or sales tax rates. Some states tax Social Security and other retirement income, while others do not, or tax it at a reduced rate. Before considering a move to a “low-tax” state, do your homework, and investigate the entire picture of a state’s tax environment.
State Taxes and Unemployment Income
On the federal side, the first $10,000 of unemployment income received in 2020 is not subject to income tax. Those who filed early, before ARPA was passed in March, will get an automatic adjustment to their federal refund. However, not all states align with the federal tax-free treatment of unemployment income. Depending on where you live and when you filed your tax return, you may need to file an amended state tax return to get the benefit of this tax break, or to add that income back for states that fully or partially tax unemployment income.
LIFE IN THE POST-PANDEMIC ERA
For many people, the pandemic put a pause on their career trajectory, and reshaping it over the coming months and years may require careful thought and strategic actions in three specific areas. First, consider how and where you work best. Is all-remote best for you, or do you prefer being in the office some or all of the time? Second, the pandemic clearly differentiated between great leaders and poor leaders. This may be a perfect time to seek out a great leader if your current one didn’t do well under the stress of the pandemic. Third, the importance of a strong and supportive professional network was made clear. Making the connections to strategically grow and strengthen your professional network new will pay big dividends in the future.
When the architects who popularized the open office say that the open office is dead, it may be truly time to redesign workspaces so that they provide employees the kinds of spaces they need. Clive Wilkinson Architects suggests three basic models that may be appropriate. One example is the Library, which includes both large tables and private nooks for focused work, with an overall expectation for quiet and hushed conversation. Another choice is the Plaza, a casual setting for lunch and snacks, which encourages employees to sit and chat rather than grab a drink and sandwich and head back to their desks. The third option is the Avenue, which transforms hallways into spots for serendipitous conversations with bar-like tables and stools.
Travel in the Near Future
In case you were wondering when you might be able to travel to Europe, the answer is: possibly this summer! While all of this information might be encouraging, before you hastily make any decisions on your European vacation, you need to double and triple check the policies of the countries you will be traveling to on your long-awaited holiday. One cautionary tale for recent travelers to Switzerland was that although the Swiss Embassy told some Americans they could travel to Switzerland within the last month, apparently, an American couple got escorted off a Swiss Airlines flight because if you did not have a Swiss passport, you could not enter the country. Another issue: when you got your vaccination(s). If you plan the trip too far in advance, you might have to get vaccinated again to be up-to-date so make sure that you have spoken to every relevant authority imaginable. Just in case.
If you do decide on a trip to Switzerland, which is a beautiful place in the summer, just remember, there are three language zones: German, French and Italian. More importantly, if you speak German, that’s great but don’t expect to easily understand Swiss German. It’s a completely different dialect. If you were wondering what cities to visit...Zurich (Swiss German) is a great place to go for a cultural trip, as is Geneva (you would literally be on the border of France and Switzerland). Lucerne has a beautiful lake and a famous bridge you will never forget. If you like cheese, then you can visit anywhere in Switzerland as it is basically the national food. And don’t forget chocolate as well as Rolex watches. Those are more national treasures from the Swiss. If you want to learn more about Lucerne, watch this Rick Steves' episode.
