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Ascensus Supports Small Businesses

President Donald Trump has signed into law a $484 billion relief package that will infuse $320 billion in additional funding into the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Also included in the package is funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and the SBA’s Disaster Loans Program Account, along with relief for hospitals dealing with the immediate effects of the pandemic, and, specifically, for enhanced COVID-19 testing.

April 27 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

President Trump Signs Bill to Replenish Paycheck Protection Program

Following passage by an overwhelming margin in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday, President Trump today signed into law the Paycheck Protection and Healthcare Enhancement Act, infusing $320 billion in additional funding into the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

April 24 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Bill to Replenish Paycheck Protection Program Passed by House, President Expected to Sign

Following passage by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, the House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed the Paycheck Protection and Healthcare Enhancement Act by a vote of 388 to 5, infusing a reported $320 billion in additional funding into the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). President Trump has indicated that he will sign the legislation into law.

April 23 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Bill Passed by Senate Would Replenish Paycheck Protection Program

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed the Paycheck Protection and Healthcare Enhancement Act, legislation that would provide $320 billion in additional funding to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This lending program is intended to help small employers retain employees on their payrolls during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting economic emergency. The legislation would also provide funding for hospitals dealing with the immediate effects of the pandemic, and, specifically, for enhanced COVID-19 testing.

April 22 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

FAQs Affirm Employee Benefits Eligible as “Payroll” for Payroll Protection Program Loans

Scheduled to be published in the Federal Register is an interim final rule issued by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA), guidance that includes frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) on Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans available to small businesses to help them maintain their workforce during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Businesses with no more than 500 employees—including not-for-profits and sole proprietorships—can apply for these low interest and potentially forgivable SBA loans if certain conditions are met.

April 14 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

PBGC Provides Coronavirus-Related Filing Relief

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), the agency that insures benefits in certain single-employer defined benefit pension plans, has posted an announcement describing deadline relief being provided as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

April 14 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

IRS Guidance Extends Many Tax-Related Deadlines in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

On April 10, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020-23, guidance that expands the range of time-sensitive tax-related actions whose completion can be delayed to July 15, 2020. This extension is being provided as a result of the disruptions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The IRS had previously extended from April 15 to July 15 the deadline for filing individual and business tax returns, and for making IRA, HSA, and certain employer-sponsored retirement plan contributions.

April 11 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

IRS Notice Greatly Expands Actions Whose Deadlines Are Extended to July 15

The IRS has issued Notice 2020-23, guidance that expands the number of time-sensitive tax-related actions whose completion can be delayed to July 15, 2020. The extension is being provided as a result of disruptions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (The IRS had previously extended from April 15 to July 15 the deadline for filing individual and business tax returns, and for making IRA, HSA, and certain employer-sponsored retirement plan contributions.)

April 10 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

IRS Provides Guidance for Employers to Claim Tax Credits for Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Expanded FMLA Payments

The IRS has posted at its website much-anticipated guidance for claiming tax credits for amounts paid by employers under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and the Emergency Family and Medical Expanded Leave Act (Expanded FMLA), as provided in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The guidance contains 66 FAQs that cover all aspects of the tax credits.

April 01 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Washington Pulse: New Coronavirus Law Provides Retirement Plan and Healthcare Relief

With virtually every part of the U.S. economy facing unexpected financial challenges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Congress has passed the largest relief package in U.S. history. Signed into law on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is designed to assist the millions of Americans affected by the outbreak. The legislation has multiple provisions that affect retirement and health savings arrangements.

March 31 2020