Covid-19
COVID-19 Updates:
At this time of global concern, Benson Music Shop will monitor and post developments related to COVID-19. A great resource is the www.namm.org website. We will also post resources here.
New Link 3/20/2021 - SBA PPP Loan and COVID Relief Update: Click Here and scroll down for PPP information
New Link - help for musicians: http://www.musiciansfoundation.org/who-we-are/mission/
Social Distancing and Making Music - Click Here
Please visit this page regularly.
Updates - 3/15/2021
Check Your Relief Check Status Here
Impact Payments Information, and SBA/PPP Loan Application and Guidelines (Updated April 6, 2020)
IRS Economic Impact Payments:
The Internal Revenue Service has setup a website with up-to-date guidance to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus. Distribution of economic impact payments to individuals will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with, hopefully, no action required for most people. Social security recipients, who are not typically required to file a tax return, will automatically receive economic impact payments. For guidance, see Economic Impact Payments: What You Need To Know.
Paycheck Protection Program:
Small businesses and eligible non-profit organizations, and Veterans organizations described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
- For a top-line overview of the program: Click Here
- Paycheck Protection Program – Interim Final Rule - Here (Updated April 2, 2020)
- Information for borrowers: Here
- Application for borrowers: Here (updated April 2, 2020)
- Information for lenders: Click Here
- Application for lenders: Here (updated April 2, 2020)
The Treasury Department has indicated that applicants can begin obtaining loans from participating lenders as soon as Friday, April 3, 2020 (for small businesses and sole proprietorships). Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can begin applying for loans to cover their payroll and other certain expenses through existing SBA lenders on Friday, April 10. To apply, borrowers must complete the application and submit payroll documentation. Visit www.sba.gov for a list of SBA lenders.
Paid Family and Medical Leave:
March 28, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published more guidance to provide information to employees and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it goes into effect on April 1, 2020. More information here. Note: to get full picture visit the DOL site (what’s covered and what’s not) and IRS site (how to get the payroll tax credit).
Unemployment Assistance:
The Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act (FFCRA), authorizes the U.S. Department of Labor to disburse $1 billion in grant funding to states for the administration of unemployment insurance programs. The funding is available to states in two allocations. As of April 1st, 23 states have applied for the first round of funding, and DOL is working with the Department of Treasury to certify the funds.
- Each state administers a separate unemployment insurance program, but all states follow the same guidelines established by federal law. For more information regarding rules in your state, contact your state’s unemployment insurance program.
- The FFCRA also authorized emergency paid sick leave and an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act. On April 1, 2020, DOL issued a temporary rule codifying in regulation previously issued guidance regarding the implementation of the new leave benefits.
March 27th, 2020: CDC UPDATES HERE - Nation Wide
March 26, 2020: Senate passes 2 Trillion dollar bill. Read about it here: About the bill
March 20, 2020: Families First Coronavirus Act: paid sick and family leave
On March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Act was signed into law by President Trump. The Act requires most private employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide paid sick and family leave to employees affected by the Coronavirus. It also reimburses businesses, through the use of payroll tax credits, to cover the costs of providing such leave. The Act takes effect on April 2, 2020. In the meantime, businesses are waiting on the Department of Labor and Department of Treasury to issue more detailed guidance about the new leave program’s implementation.
The expanded sick and family leave requirements are designed to be temporary; the program sunsets on December 31, 2020.
The Act contains many detailed provisions, including some limited exceptions. See the Employer’s Quick Guide to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
March 19, 2020: Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance on Deferring Tax Filing and Payments until July 15, 2020
Following President Trump’s emergency declaration, the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance allowing all individual and other non-corporate tax filers to defer up to $1 million of federal income tax (including self-employment tax) payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. The guidance also allows corporate taxpayers a similar deferment of up to $10 million of federal income tax payments that would be due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. A stimulus package being negotiated in the Senate would move that deadline back even further to Oct. 15. NAMM is monitoring this evolving issue and will continue to post updates here.
IRS Guidelines for COVID-19 relief - from easing payment guidelines to postponing compliance actions.
March 17, 2020: SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan product that’s being used to provide financial aid during COVID-19 situation is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus.
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. At an interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses, 2.75% for non-profits, SBA offers terms of up to 30 years.
View the time-line, filing requirements and a list of documents required, HERE. For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
The three-stage loan application process:
- Apply online
- Verification, documentation, credit review, and loan processing by the SBA
- Loan closed and funds disbursed. (commonly a disaster loan is not disbursed all at once. The loan is drawn in phases)
March 12, 2020: Unemployment Benefit Expanded to Cover COVID-19 Related Worker Displacement
Unemployment Benefits Guidance was expanded on March 12, giving states the flexibility to expand their unemployment benefits coverage to include COVID-19 related worker displacement. These changes are being made at the state level. Some states have announced their intention to also develop new support for self-employed workers who are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Consult your state department of labor for more details.
NAMM is monitoring this evolving issue and will continue to post updates here. Please visit this page regularly.
Resources
Facebook Resource Hub - Grants, etc.
Navigate States' Responses to COVID-19 - Interactive Map
NACo's List of US County COVID-19 Declarations and Policies
NGA's State/Territorial COVID-19 Resource Pages
NPR Music: Resources For Music Businesses And Industry Workers
WIN's COVID-19 Worldwide Resources for the Independent Music Community
National Retail Federation’s State Resources for Retailers on COVID-19
U.S. Chamber COVID-19 Toolkit: Graphics, signs, flyers, social media assets, and more
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): Small Business Resources in Response to COVID-19
SBA Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
Billboard's State-by-State Resource Guide for Music Professionals
Staying Compliant and Minimizing Impact Amid Coronavirus Concerns: 10 things employers should do
CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
CDC Coronavirus Disease Information for Travel
U.S. Education Department Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
CDC Guidance and Facts about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Information for Australian Retailers
CA Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for California Businesses
CDC's COVID-19 Fact Sheet: Translated into 15 Languages
The Piano Technicians Guild suggestions for safely disinfecting pianos
EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against COVID-19