Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis Response: Resources for Your Community
https://icma.org/coronavirus-crisis-response-resources-your-community
Nebraska Resources:
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
City of Omaha Resources:
https://www.cityofomaha.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information
Free Take Home Meals for Children
Mondays 8:30am – 12:30pm
- Westside Middle School 8601 Arbor Street
- Westbrook Elementary 1312 Robertson Drive
- Prairie Lane Elementary 3534 South 108th Street
- Food Bank Mobile Times – Call FBFH (402-331-1213)
- Wakonda Elementary 4845 Curtis Ave 4:30p-6:30p
- Abide Network 3335 Fowler
- Hope Center 2209 N. 20th St.
- Castellar Elementary 2316 S. 18th St.
- Jefferson Elementary 4065 Vinton
- Prairie Wind Elementary 10908 Ellison Ave.
Tuesdays 8:30am – 12:30pm
Metro CC South 3002 S. 24th St
Wednesdays 8:30am – 12:30pm
Metro CC North 2112 N. 30th St.
Fridays 8:30am – 12:30pm
Miller Park Elementary 5625 N. 28th St.
Completely Kids (Main Office) 2566 St. Marys Ave.
North Star 4242 N. 49th St
Tips from The Omaha World Herald on what to stock up on during the Coronavirus:
- Canned foods (and a working can opener), peanut butter, canned nuts, dry mixes, cereal, cupboard staples, vegetable oil, baking powder, rice, pasta and coffee.
- Juices and soups for the sick and elderly.
- Foods that meet your family’s tastes and familiar foods. “They lift morale and give a feeling of security in times of stress,” according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Foods that are high in calories, nutritious and address special diets.
- Nonperishable pet food.
- Over-the-counter drugs and supplies: Pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes and vitamins.
- Toiletries, tissues, laundry detergent and diapers.
A Message from our Accounting Firm:
Many tax provisions for businesses and individuals, employees and employers have recently come down as the government responds to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. Below are summaries of 4 provisions from last week. Please be in touch with us via phone or email to assist with your situation.
Federal Tax Deadline for filing and payments has been extended to 7-15-2020:
WASHINGTON March 20, 2020 (follow-up to March 18, 2020 announcement) – Following President Donald J. Trump’s emergency declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act, the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) yesterday announced that the tax filings and payments for all federal income taxes (including self-employment tax) due on April 15, 2020, regardless of amount, will now be due on July 15, 2020.
“At President Trump’s direction, we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. I encourage all taxpayers who may have tax refunds to file now to receive those funds as quickly as possible.”
Taxpayers are not required to file any documentation to take advantage of this delay, and no interest or penalties will be assessed in connection with this extension. This is an expansion of the relief previously announced on March 18, 2020. This relief only applies to federal income tax (including tax on self-employment income) payments otherwise due April 15, 2020, not state tax payments or deposits or payments of any other type of federal tax.
NOTE: NEBRASKA HAS NOT MADE THE DETERMINATION IF RETURNS AND PAYMENT WILL BE EXTENDED FOR THE 90 DAYS. MORE TO COME ON THAT ANNOUNCEMENT SOON, PER GOVERNER RICKETTS.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
WASHINGTON, March 18, 2020 - President Trump passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201 (Act).
Key Takeaways
- Paid Sick Leave for Workers For COVID-19 related reasons, employees receive up to 80 hours of paid sick leave and expanded paid childcare leave when employees’ children’s schools are closed, or childcare providers are unavailable.
- Complete Coverage Employers receive 100% reimbursement for paid leave pursuant to the Act; Health insurance costs are also included in the credit; Employers face no payroll tax liability; Self-employed individuals receive an equivalent credit.
- Fast Funds Reimbursement will be quick and easy to obtain; An immediate dollar-for-dollar tax offset against payroll taxes will be provided; Where a refund is owed, the IRS will send the refund as quickly as possible.
- Small Business Protection Employers with fewer than 50 employees are eligible for an exemption from the requirements to provide leave to care for a child whose school is closed, or childcare is unavailable in cases where the viability of the business is threatened.
- Easing Compliance Requirements subject to 30-day non-enforcement period for good faith compliance efforts; To take immediate advantage of the paid leave credits, businesses can retain and access funds that they would otherwise pay to the IRS in payroll taxes. If those amounts are not sufficient to cover the cost of paid leave, employers can seek an expedited advance from the IRS by submitting a streamlined claim form that will be released next week.
For more information, please visit https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
Nebraska Unemployment: Gov. Ricketts issues order to loosen unemployment eligibility
LINCOLN, NE March 17, 2020 - Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued an executive order to permit the loosening of eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance benefits. In line with federal guidance, Governor Ricketts is allowing the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) to waive the following requirements for claims filed between March 22 and May 2. This timeframe will be evaluated as the situation with COVID-19 progresses.
- Work Search - This change applies to all workers filing for unemployment. While many job search efforts are conducted online, waiving the requirement to search for work is in line with the social distancing practices that are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 and potential exposure to the disease. The change will also accommodate those workers who are temporarily impacted by COVID-19, including those who are in an unpaid status due to a shutdown, quarantine, or because they are caring for a family member due to illness or a facility closure.
- Unpaid Waiting Week - This change will make the first week of eligibility payable rather than an unpaid waiting week and will help all unemployment recipients get their payments sooner.
- Employer charging - Unemployment benefits are typically paid with contributions from employers. NDOL will temporarily waive charges incurred by employers whose team members are filing claims related to COVID-19. Nebraska has a healthy Trust Fund that will be utilized to pay for unemployment benefits tied to COVID-19.
- The Department of Labor will continue to look at ways to streamline the process of filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.
- Workers needing to file for unemployment benefits should do so online at NEworks.nebraska.gov. The NEworks mobile app is available to download free for those who don’t have computer access. For technical assistance, access the NEworks live chat feature, email [email protected], or call 402-458-2500.
Gov. Ricketts Announces Eligibility of Nebraska Businesses to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans (Many other states are eligible also)
LINCOLN, NE March 20, 2020 - Governor Pete Ricketts announced on Friday that the Small Business Administration has issued a statewide economic injury declaration for Nebraska. The declaration qualifies small businesses throughout the state to apply for SBA disaster assistance loans.
“As Nebraska steps up its efforts to combat coronavirus, we’ve limited the size of public gatherings and asked people to stay home when possible,” said Gov. Ricketts. “These temporary measures are vitally important to public health, but they present challenges for the day-to-day operations of many small businesses. Nebraska is grateful to the SBA and Administrator Carranza for offering much-needed financial assistance to our hard-working store owners and entrepreneurs at this time.”
“The hard work and creativity of Nebraska’s small business owners enriches our communities and grows our state,” said Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Tony Goins. “SBA loans will give small businesses the needed financial resources to weather the current pandemic and will set them up to thrive throughout the rest of 2020.”
Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size can apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected].
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has teammates available to assist businesses with their questions. Contact information for DED’s regional development team can be found on DED’s COVID-19 website at opportunity.nebraska.gov/nded-covid19. The webpage also has information on SBA resources.
NOTE: CURRENTLY A ‘ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL IS BEING DISCUSSED AND DEBATED IN CONGRESS. MORE TO COME AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.
