Industry & Regulatory News

Industry & Regulatory News

DOL Releases Additional Prohibited Transaction Exemption Guidance

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued two pieces of guidance on its new fiduciary advice prohibited transaction exemption, PTE 2020-02. The first piece is titled, “Choosing the Right Person to Give You Investment Advice: Information for Investors in Retirement Plans and Individual Retirement Accounts,” which is intended to educate retirement savers about considerations when choosing a potential advisor. The second piece of guidance, which is briefly highlighted further below, is titled, “New Fiduciary Advice Exemption: PTE 2020-02 Improving Investment Advice for Workers & Retirees,” and is a detailed set of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

April 14 2021

Industry & Regulatory News

DOL Releases Cybersecurity Guidance for Plan Sponsors, Fiduciaries, Service Providers, and Participants

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today released a three-part guidance package on cybersecurity for plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, service providers, and participants. This guidance comes on the heels of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on cybersecurity risks for retirement plans released earlier this year. An EBSA news release accompanies the guidance release.

April 14 2021

Industry & Regulatory News

DOL Issues Additional COBRA Premium Assistance Guidance Under ARPA

In response to the requirements under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to provide model notices and additional guidance in relation to COBRA premium assistance, the Department of Labor has issued model notices and frequently asked questions (FAQs). The FAQs confirm the following.

April 07 2021

Industry & Regulatory News

IRS Confirms Tax Filing Extension and Announces Postponed IRA, HSA Contribution Deadline

The IRS has issued Notice 2021-21, in which the IRS makes official the previously announced delay of the April 15, 2021 federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year to May 17, 2021. This delay is a result of the ongoing COVID-19 Emergency Declaration issued in March 2020.

March 30 2021

Industry & Regulatory News

Adeyemo Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

Wally Adeyemo has been confirmed as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury after the Senate approved him in a bipartisan voice vote. The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved his nomination in March before the Senate floor vote.

March 26 2021
IRS

Industry & Regulatory News

IRS Provides Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment as Medical Expense

The IRS has issued Announcement 2021-7, indicating that amounts paid for personal protective equipment (PPE)—such as masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes—that are primarily used to prevent the spread of COVID-19, are treated as amounts paid for medical care under Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d). As a result, the amounts are also eligible to be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), and health savings accounts (HSAs).

March 26 2021

Industry & Regulatory News

Congress Votes to Extend Paycheck Protection Program

A proposal to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through the end of May has passed the Senate by a vote of 92-7. The PPP was set to expire on March 31, 2021, just weeks after changes were made to expand availability to certain small businesses. The House had voted earlier this month to pass the bill, and it now heads to the President for signature.

March 26 2021

Industry & Regulatory News

Marty Walsh Confirmed as Secretary of Labor

Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was confirmed on Monday as Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL). In a 68-29 vote, the Senate confirmed Walsh to take over the DOL as the coronavirus pandemic has left millions unemployed amid economic uncertainty.

March 23 2021
DOL

Industry & Regulatory News

IRS Announces Extension to File Tax Return

The Treasury Department and IRS have announced that tax filing due dates for 2020 tax year federal income tax returns, including the federal income tax payment deadline, will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. No special form must be filed to request the filing extension. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.

March 18 2021

Industry & Regulatory News

IRS Issues Deadline Relief for Louisiana Victims of Winter Storms

The IRS has issued a news release announcing the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for Louisiana winter storm victims. The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on February 11. The entire state of Louisiana is included in this relief. Taxpayers in other locations will automatically be added to this relief if the disaster area is further expanded.

March 15 2021