4992958

Maryland Project Restore

7016234673 — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:28:51 GMT

Project Restore Application schedule to open on September 8, 2021

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is administering $25 million to provide financial support to Maryland’s new or expanding businesses to help incentivize commercial investment in vacant retail and commercial properties.

Project Restore will provide two grant opportunities for businesses that plan on opening or expanding into previously vacant spaces:

Rental Assistance Grant : The maximum grant request amount is $30,000 for rent for one year (rental payment up to $2,500 per month) for qualified small business with 50 or fewer employees (full time equivalents). Applicant’s monthly rent can exceed $2,500, but the maximum that will be paid by the Rental Assistance Grant will be $2,500 per month for one year.

Business Operations Grant : The maximum grant award amount is $250,000 for one or two years for businesses that generate sales and use tax. Grant funds can be used for activities and costs related to sustaining and growing the business such as staff costs, capital improvements, marketing, inventory and supplies, utilities and the like and cannot be used for executive salaries or bonuses. Grant awards will be paid quarterly and will be based on sales and use tax generated by and submitted to the state in Calendar Year 2022.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

To be eligible to apply for either a Rental Assistance Grant and/or a Business Assistance Grant, a business must meet all of the following criteria:

May be a new or existing business, but business must be located in Maryland
Business must be registered and in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
Business must open or expand in a retail or commercial space that has been vacant at least 6 months prior to the date they submit their application.
Financially viable business whose operations will continue forward

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABLITY (NOFA) BELOW – The NOFA provides important information on additional criteria specific to the Rental Assistance Grant and Business Operations Grant as well as the required documents that must be provided at the time of application .

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY:

Project Restore

APPLICATION:

There will be a single Project Restore application to apply for the Rental Assistance Grant and/or the Business Operations Grant.

PROJECT Restore APPLICATION – scheduled to open on September 8

The Project Restore application will be available online. Prior to submitting an application you will be required to register with the Maryland OneStop Portal. OneStop is the central hub for Maryland State licenses, forms, certificates, permits, applications, and registrations and can be accessed here: https://onestop.md.gov

You can register in advance of the application round opening.

Prior to the application round opening it is strongly recommended that applicants read the NOFA carefully and prepare answers and gather required attachments in advance of opening of the on-line application .

Review the application in advance to know what questions will be asked and what documents will be required:

Sample Project RESTORE Application . NOTE : This document is for reference ONLY, all applications must be completed and submitted through the online application system

Businesses that will occupy vacant space in a designated Opportunity Zone will be eligible for two years of grant funds if awarded a Business Operations Grant.

Check to see if the vacant property to be occupied is in an Opportunity Zone:
Enter Property Address

For more information:

News: Governor Hogan Announces $25 Million Initiative to Revitalize Downtowns and Main Streets

For questions, contact dhcd.projectrestore@maryland.gov .

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 19:20:44 GMT

Additionally, there is a tax-free three-day weekend every February during which the state sales tax will not apply to the sale of any Energy Star Products listed. Please click on the Shop Maryland Energy Box on this page for more details.

Read our 2021 Press Release for more information and details on the annual scholarship contest.

Shop Maryland Resources

For more information:
Call (800) MD-TAXES or (410) 260-7980 from Central Maryland

MD Sales Tax Free Week - August 9 - 15th, 2020

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 18:09:11 GMT

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week

Shop Maryland Resources

For more information:
Call (800) MD-TAXES or (410) 260-7980 from Central Maryland

IRS sending prepaid debit card for Economic Impact Payment

Thu, 28 May 2020 20:10:47 GMT

Economic Impact Payments being sent by prepaid debit cards, arrive in plain envelope; IRS.gov answers frequently asked questions

IR-2020-105, May 27, 2020

WASHINGTON – As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that some payments are being sent by prepaid debit card. The debit cards arrive in a plain envelope from "Money Network Cardholder Services."

Nearly 4 million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination of which taxpayers received a debit card was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, a part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments.

Those who receive their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card can do the following without any fees.

Make purchases online and at any retail location where Visa is accepted
Get cash from in-network ATMs
Transfer funds to their personal bank account
Check their card balance online, by mobile app or by phone

This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protection against fraud, loss and other errors.

Frequently asked questions continually updated on IRS.gov

The IRS has two sets of frequently asked questions to help Americans get answers about their Economic Impact Payments, including those arriving on prepaid debit card. These FAQs include answers to eligibility and other many common questions, including help to use two Economic Impact Payment tools.

Get My Payment , an IRS online tool , shows the projected date when a direct deposit has been scheduled or date when the payment will be mailed by check or prepaid debit card. The Non-Filers Enter Payment Info Here tool helps taxpayers successfully submit basic information to receive Economic Impact Payments quickly.

The IRS regularly updates the Economic Impact Payment and the Get My Payment frequently asked questions pages on IRS.gov as more information becomes available. Taxpayers should check the FAQs often for the latest additions.

Here are answers to some of the top questions people are asking about the prepaid debit cards:

Can I have my economic impact payment sent to my prepaid debit card?

Maybe. It depends on your prepaid card and whether your payment has already been scheduled. Many reloadable prepaid cards have account and routing numbers that you could provide to the IRS through the Get My Payment application or Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool. You would need to check with the financial institution to ensure your card can be re-used and to obtain the routing number and account number, which may be different from the card number. If you obtained your prepaid debit card through the filing of a federal tax return, you must contact the financial institution that issued your prepaid debit card to get the correct routing number and account number. Do not use the routing number and account number shown on your copy of the tax return filed. When providing this information to the IRS, you should indicate that the account and routing number provided are for a checking account unless your financial institution indicates otherwise.

Will IRS be sending prepaid debit cards?

Some payments may be sent on a prepaid debit card known as The Economic Impact Payment Card The Economic Impact Payment Card is sponsored by the Treasury Department's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, managed by Money Network Financial, LLC and issued by Treasury's financial agent, MetaBank®, N.A.

If you receive an Economic Impact Payment Card, it will arrive in a plain envelope from "Money Network Cardholder Services." The Visa name will appear on the front of the Card; the back of the Card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. Information included with the Card will explain that the card is your Economic Impact Payment Card. Please go to EIPcard.com for more information.

Can I specifically ask the IRS to send the Economic Impact Payment to me as a debit card?

Not at this time. For those who don't receive their Economic Impact Payment by direct deposit, they will receive their payment by paper check, and, in a few cases, by debit card. The determination of which taxpayers receive a debit card will be made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS), another part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments. BFS is sending nearly 4 million debit cards to taxpayers starting in mid-May. At this time, taxpayers cannot make a selection to receive a debit card. Please go to EIPcard.com for more information.

Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments

The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. To use the new app or get information, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov. People should watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.

Quick links to the Frequently Asked Questions on IRS.gov:

Economic Impact Payments: www.irs.gov/eipfaq
Get My Payment tool: www.irs.gov/getmypaymentfaq
Please go to EIPcard.com for more information about prepaid debit cards

Washington County MD Stabilization Grant

Thu, 28 May 2020 20:02:37 GMT

Save Small Business Fund Grant

7016234673 — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:05:11 GMT

Save Small Business Fund Grant

https://savesmallbusiness.com/#eligibility

The United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation has established the Save Small Business Fund to provide short-term relief to small employers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The Save Small Business Fund will provide a one-time grant of $5,000 to small businesses to use for business expenses.

Save #SmallBusiness Fund: Provides Grants to the Smallest of Small Businesses, Opens Today - April 20 . In order to be eligible for the grant, the small business must:

Employ between 3 to 20 people

Be located in an economically vulnerable community

Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more. https://savesmallbusiness.com/#eligibility

Get My Payment! Track your IRS Check

7016234673 — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 13:14:36 GMT

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

Get My Payment

Check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment

This application will give you information about:

Your payment status
Your payment type
Whether we need more information from you, including bank account information

You May Need:

Your 2019 return, if filed, and
Your 2018 return

Get My Payment

Didn't File a Return in 2018 or 2019?

If you have a filing requirement and have not filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019, you must file a 2019 tax return to receive the payment.

If you are not required to file a 2018 or 2019, visit Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here .

Get more information about Economic Impact Payments

Visit our Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more.

Questions on your stimulus check?

7016234673 — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 17:27:12 GMT

IRS Economic Impact Payments Information
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. The payments, also referred to by some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. No further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees.

See if you are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment .

Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here

If you don’t file taxes, use the "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" application to provide simple information so you can get your payment.

You should use this application if:

You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income. Or
You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons

If you receive these benefits, we already have your information and you will receive $1,200. Do not use this application if you receive:

Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance benefits
Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits

Special note : People in these groups who have qualifying children under age 17 can use this application to claim the $500 payment per child.

Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here

Filers: Get Your Payment

Use the "Get My Payment" application (coming mid-April) to:

Check your payment status
Confirm your payment type: direct deposit or check
Enter your bank account information for direct deposit if we don't have your direct deposit information and we haven't sent your payment yet

Get My Payment (coming mid-April)

Update your information

Direct deposit : Use the Get My Payment application (coming mid-April) to let us know your bank account information if we don't have your direct deposit information and we haven't sent your payment.

Check payment : If you moved since you last filed, let us know your new mailing address .

Get more information about Economic Impact Payments

Visit our Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more.

Paycheck Protection Program Assistance for Small Businesses

7016234673 — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 18:25:09 GMT

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Assistance for Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses 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.

Guide for Small Business on Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 17:48:09 GMT

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship

GUIDE TO THE CARES ACT

To help small business owners and entrepreneurs better understand the new programs that will soon be available to them, we have created a comprehensive guide to many of the small business provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress. These programs and initiatives are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.

When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

To keep up to date on when these programs become available, please stay in contact with your local SBA District Office, which you can locate here .

Download the guide here .

Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act - Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act [final].pdf (237.6 KBs)

US DOL publishes guidance explaining paid sick leave & expanded family & medical leave

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:46:42 GMT

News Release

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PUBLISHES GUIDANCE EXPLAINING PAID SICK LEAVE AND EXPANDED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT

W ASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced its first round of published 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 takes effect on April 1, 2020.

FFCRA will help the United States combat and defeat COVID-19 by giving all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members. The legislation will ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus while at the same time reimbursing businesses.

The guidance – provided in a Fact Sheet for Employees , a Fact Sheet for Employers and a Questions and Answers document – addresses critical questions, such as how an employer must count the number of their employees to determine coverage; how small businesses can obtain an exemption; how to count hours for part-time employees; and how to calculate the wages employees are entitled to under this law.

“Providing information to the American workforce is a top priority for the Wage and Hour Division,” said Administrator Cheryl Stanton. “With so many workers and so many employers struggling to find their way in these trying conditions, providing guidance on a rolling basis will allow workers and businesses to prepare for the law to go into effect on April 1, 2020. We remain committed, and are working around the clock to provide the information and tools for employees and employers alike.”

The guidance announced today is just the first round of information and compliance assistance to come from WHD. A workplace poster required for most employers will be published later this week, along with additional fact sheets and more Q&A.

WHD provides additional information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic .

For more information about the laws enforced by the WHD, call 866-4US-WAGE, or visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd .

For further information about COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation's workforce. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.

The mission of the U.S. Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Agency

Wage and Hour Division

Date

March 24, 2020

Release Number

20-512-NAT

Contact: Department of Labor National Contact Center

DOL-Info@dol.gov

MD Businesses: Planning & Responding to Coronavirus FAQ

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:37:32 GMT

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

What‌ ‌does‌ ‌a‌ ‌“State‌ ‌of‌ ‌Emergency”‌ ‌mean?‌ ‌

Will‌ ‌stores‌ ‌and‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌be‌ ‌open‌ ‌during‌ ‌a‌ ‌State‌ ‌of‌ ‌Emergency?‌ ‌

Is‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌required‌ ‌to‌ ‌close‌ ‌or‌ ‌are‌ ‌we‌ ‌considered‌ ‌an‌ ‌“essential”‌ ‌business‌ ‌or‌ ‌service?‌ ‌

Can‌ ‌I‌ ‌file‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌taxes‌ ‌if‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌State‌ ‌of‌ ‌Emergency?‌ ‌

What‌ ‌about‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌license‌ ‌or‌ ‌permit‌ ‌that‌ ‌is‌ ‌about‌ ‌to‌ ‌expire?‌ ‌

How‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌prepare‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌ahead‌ ‌of‌ ‌time?‌ ‌

As‌ ‌a‌ ‌business,‌ ‌how‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌help‌ ‌protect‌ ‌my‌ ‌employees?‌ ‌

If‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌required‌ ‌to‌ ‌close‌ ‌my‌ ‌business,‌ ‌will‌ ‌I‌ ‌get‌ ‌reimbursed‌ ‌from‌ ‌my‌ ‌insurance‌ ‌company‌ ‌for‌ ‌

financial‌ ‌losses?‌ ‌What‌ ‌about‌ ‌Business‌ ‌Interruption‌ ‌Insurance?‌ ‌

If‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌experiences‌ ‌a‌ ‌temporary‌ ‌or‌ ‌permanent‌ ‌layoff,‌ ‌what‌ ‌steps‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌take?‌ ‌

What‌ ‌resources‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌to‌ ‌those‌ ‌who‌ ‌are‌ ‌working‌ ‌in‌ ‌response‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌nationwide‌ ‌outbreak?‌ ‌

My‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌impacted‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌outbreak.‌ ‌Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌find‌ ‌a‌ ‌low-interest‌ ‌loan‌ ‌to‌ ‌assist‌ ‌during‌ ‌

this‌ ‌time?‌ ‌

What‌ ‌if‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌currently‌ ‌playing‌ ‌off‌ ‌an‌ ‌SBA‌ ‌loan‌ ‌from‌ ‌a‌ ‌previous‌ ‌disaster?‌ ‌

My‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌hosting‌ ‌an‌ ‌event‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌upcoming‌ ‌weeks.‌ ‌Should‌ ‌it‌ ‌be‌ ‌postponed?‌ ‌

I‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌take‌ ‌off‌ ‌work‌ ‌to‌ ‌care‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌family‌ ‌member.‌ ‌Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌find‌ ‌help?‌ ‌

Are‌ ‌Maryland’s‌ ‌casinos‌ ‌open?‌ ‌

What‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌status‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌state’s‌ ‌cruise‌ ‌terminal‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌Port‌ ‌of‌ ‌Baltimore?‌ ‌

How‌ ‌have‌ ‌operations‌ ‌at‌ ‌BWI‌ ‌Airport‌ ‌changed?‌ ‌

If‌ ‌restaurants‌ ‌are‌ ‌closed,‌ ‌are‌ ‌breweries‌ ‌closed‌ ‌too?‌ ‌

Are‌ ‌Maryland’s‌ ‌Welcome‌ ‌Centers‌ ‌open‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌public?‌ ‌

Are‌ ‌Maryland’s‌ ‌State‌ ‌Parks‌ ‌open‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌public?‌ ‌

What's‌ ‌the‌ ‌best‌ ‌way‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌tested?‌ ‌

Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌find‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌information‌ ‌on‌ ‌COVID-19?‌ ‌

Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌find‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌updates‌ ‌from‌ ‌Governor‌ ‌Larry‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌state’s‌ ‌response‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌

outbreak?‌ ‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

What‌ ‌does‌ ‌a‌ ‌“State‌ ‌of‌ ‌Emergency”‌ ‌mean?‌ ‌

A‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌declared‌ ‌in‌ ‌order‌ ‌to‌ ‌allow‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌to‌ ‌coordinate‌ ‌and‌ ‌request‌ ‌

emergency‌ ‌resources‌ ‌and‌ ‌support‌ ‌in‌ ‌response‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌(Coronavirus).‌ ‌A‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌

emergency‌ ‌allows‌ ‌the‌ ‌Governor‌ ‌to‌ ‌access‌ ‌certain‌ ‌resources‌ ‌in‌ ‌order‌ ‌to‌ ‌increase‌ ‌the‌ ‌State’s‌ ‌

response.‌ ‌

‌

A‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌good‌ ‌indicator‌ ‌that‌ ‌residents‌ ‌should‌ ‌remain‌ ‌alert‌ ‌and‌ ‌follow‌ ‌officials’‌ ‌

orders‌ ‌and‌ ‌news‌ ‌stations‌ ‌in‌ ‌order‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌informed‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌situation.‌ ‌

‌

Will‌ ‌stores‌ ‌and‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌be‌ ‌open‌ ‌during‌ ‌a‌ ‌State‌ ‌of‌ ‌Emergency?‌ ‌

This‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌itself‌ ‌does‌ ‌not‌ ‌require‌ ‌employers‌ ‌to‌ ‌close.‌ ‌The‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Emergency‌ ‌

Management‌ ‌Agency‌ ‌asks‌ ‌that‌ ‌all‌ ‌employers‌ ‌consider‌ ‌employee‌ ‌safety‌ ‌at‌ ‌all‌ ‌times‌ ‌and‌ ‌review‌ ‌

their‌ ‌teleworking,‌ ‌leave,‌ ‌and‌ ‌continuity‌ ‌of‌ ‌operations‌ ‌plans‌ ‌and‌ ‌policies.‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌are‌ ‌

encouraged‌ ‌to‌ ‌practice‌ ‌social‌ ‌distancing,‌ ‌teleworking,‌ ‌and‌ ‌other‌ ‌healthy‌ ‌habits‌ ‌to‌ ‌keep‌ ‌workers‌ ‌

safe‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌outbreak.‌ ‌

‌

As‌ ‌of‌ ‌5‌ ‌p.m.‌ ‌on‌ ‌Monday,‌ ‌March‌ ‌23,‌ ‌‌ Governor‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌has‌ ‌ordered‌ ‌all‌ ‌“non-essential”‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌

to‌ ‌close‌‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌general‌ ‌public,‌ ‌but‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌long‌ ‌list‌ ‌of‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌to‌ ‌which‌ ‌that‌ ‌order‌ ‌‌ DOES‌ ‌

NOT‌‌ ‌apply.‌ ‌To‌ ‌see‌ ‌if‌ ‌your‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌exempt,‌ ‌please‌ ‌consult‌ ‌the‌ ‌state’s‌ ‌legal‌ ‌guidance‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌

governor’s‌ ‌executive‌ ‌order,‌ ‌which‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌read‌ ‌‌ here‌‌ ‌and‌ ‌‌ here‌ .‌ ‌The‌ ‌governor’s‌ ‌order‌ ‌‌ follows‌ ‌

federal‌ ‌guidance‌‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Homeland‌ ‌Security.‌ ‌If‌ ‌“essential”‌ ‌or‌ ‌

“non-essential”‌ ‌status‌ ‌is‌ ‌still‌ ‌unclear,‌ ‌‌ please‌ ‌use‌ ‌this‌ ‌as‌ ‌guidance.‌ ‌

‌

The‌ ‌Governor’s‌ ‌orders‌ ‌also‌ ‌prohibit‌ ‌any‌ ‌gatherings‌ ‌of‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌10‌ ‌people‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌state.‌ ‌These‌ ‌

emergency‌ ‌orders‌ ‌carry‌ ‌the‌ ‌full‌ ‌force‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌law.‌ ‌Essential‌ ‌services‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌grocery‌ ‌stores,‌ ‌gas‌ ‌

stations,‌ ‌pharmacies,‌ ‌and‌ ‌banks‌ ‌will‌ ‌remain‌ ‌open.‌ ‌‌ Read‌ ‌more‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

Is‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌required‌ ‌to‌ ‌close‌ ‌or‌ ‌are‌ ‌we‌ ‌considered‌ ‌an‌ ‌

“essential”‌ ‌business‌ ‌or‌ ‌service?‌ ‌

As‌ ‌of‌ ‌5‌ ‌p.m.‌ ‌on‌ ‌Monday,‌ ‌March‌ ‌23,‌ ‌‌ Governor‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌has‌ ‌ordered‌ ‌all‌ ‌“non-essential”‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌

to‌ ‌close‌‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌general‌ ‌public,‌ ‌but‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌long‌ ‌list‌ ‌of‌ ‌essential‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌to‌ ‌which‌ ‌that‌ ‌

closure‌ ‌order‌‌ ‌DOES‌ ‌NOT‌ ‌‌ apply.‌ ‌To‌ ‌see‌ ‌if‌ ‌your‌ ‌business‌ ‌may‌ ‌be‌ ‌an‌ ‌essential‌ ‌business‌ ‌and‌ ‌

exempt‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌closure‌ ‌order,‌ ‌please‌ ‌consult‌ ‌the‌ ‌state’s‌ ‌legal‌ ‌guidance‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌governor’s‌ ‌

executive‌ ‌order,‌ ‌which‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌read‌‌ ‌here‌‌ ‌and‌ ‌‌ here‌ .‌ ‌ ‌

‌

The‌ ‌governor’s‌ ‌order‌ ‌follows‌ ‌federal‌ ‌guidance‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Homeland‌ ‌Security.‌ ‌

To‌ ‌see‌ ‌Homeland‌ ‌Security’s‌ ‌list‌ ‌of‌ ‌what‌ ‌is‌ ‌considered‌ ‌an‌ ‌essential‌ ‌business,‌ ‌‌ click‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌If‌ ‌

“essential”‌ ‌or‌ ‌“non-essential”‌ ‌status‌ ‌is‌ ‌still‌ ‌unclear,‌ ‌‌ please‌ ‌use‌ ‌this‌ ‌as‌ ‌guidance.‌ ‌

‌

If‌ ‌you‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌question‌ ‌whether‌ ‌or‌ ‌not‌ ‌your‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌essential,‌ ‌please‌ ‌contact‌ ‌

secretary.commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌If‌ ‌you‌ ‌have‌ ‌other‌ ‌questions‌ ‌pertaining‌ ‌to‌ ‌essential‌ ‌or‌ ‌

non-essential‌ ‌businesses,‌ ‌please‌ ‌email‌ ‌‌ psector@maryland.gov‌ ,‌ ‌which‌ ‌is‌ ‌monitored‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌

Maryland‌ ‌Emergency‌ ‌Management‌ ‌team.‌ ‌

‌

If‌ ‌yours‌ ‌is‌ ‌an‌ ‌essential‌ ‌business‌ ‌that‌ ‌is‌ ‌exempt‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌closure‌ ‌requirement‌ ‌under‌ ‌the‌ ‌

executive‌ ‌order,‌ ‌you‌ ‌must‌ ‌still‌ ‌follow‌ ‌health‌ ‌protocols‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌ social‌ ‌distancing‌‌ ‌and‌ ‌‌ effective‌ ‌

cleaning‌ ‌and‌ ‌disinfection‌ ,‌ ‌and‌ ‌do‌ ‌everything‌ ‌in‌ ‌your‌ ‌power‌ ‌to‌ ‌prevent‌ ‌groups‌ ‌of‌ ‌10‌ ‌or‌ ‌more‌ ‌

people‌ ‌from‌ ‌congregating‌ ‌in‌ ‌one‌ ‌area.‌ ‌You‌ ‌can‌ ‌find‌ ‌more‌ ‌guidance‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌CDC‌ ‌‌ here‌ .‌ ‌

‌

Restaurants‌ ‌and‌ ‌Bars‌ :‌ ‌The‌ ‌maximum‌ ‌gathering‌ ‌size‌ ‌restriction‌ ‌on‌ ‌gatherings‌ ‌of‌ ‌individuals‌ ‌

(currently‌ ‌10)‌ ‌referred‌ ‌to‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌Executive‌ ‌Order‌ ‌does‌ ‌not‌ ‌apply‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌of‌ ‌employees‌ ‌

who‌ ‌are‌ ‌working‌ ‌at‌ ‌restaurants‌ ‌and‌ ‌bars‌ ‌that‌ ‌sell‌ ‌food‌ ‌or‌ ‌beverages‌ ‌for‌ ‌carry-out,‌ ‌drive-through,‌ ‌

or‌ ‌delivery.‌ ‌Those‌ ‌food‌ ‌service‌ ‌establishments‌ ‌should‌ ‌however‌ ‌follow‌ ‌any‌ ‌social-distancing‌ ‌

recommendations‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Health‌ ‌to‌ ‌avoid‌ ‌the‌ ‌spread‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌virus.‌ ‌

‌ ‌

Please‌ ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌check‌ ‌our‌‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌(COVID-19)‌ ‌Information‌ ‌for‌ ‌Businesses‌‌ ‌webpage‌ ‌for‌ ‌

the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌information‌ ‌and‌ ‌guidance.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

Can‌ ‌I‌ ‌file‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌taxes‌ ‌if‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌State‌ ‌of‌ ‌Emergency?‌ ‌

Maryland‌ ‌Comptroller‌ ‌Peter‌ ‌Franchot‌ ‌has‌ ‌announced‌ ‌that‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌business‌ ‌and‌ ‌individual‌ ‌

income‌ ‌taxpayers‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌given‌ ‌a‌ ‌90-day‌ ‌extension‌ ‌for‌ ‌tax‌ ‌payments.‌ ‌No‌ ‌interest‌ ‌or‌ ‌penalty‌ ‌for‌ ‌

late‌ ‌payments‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌imposed‌ ‌if‌ ‌2019‌ ‌tax‌ ‌payments‌ ‌are‌ ‌made‌ ‌by‌ ‌July‌ ‌15,‌ ‌2020.‌ ‌‌ See‌ ‌here‌ ‌for‌ ‌

more‌ ‌information‌ ,‌ ‌or‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌to‌ ‌‌ taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov‌‌ ‌with‌ ‌questions.‌ ‌

‌

Comptroller‌ ‌Franchot‌ ‌also‌ ‌extended‌ ‌business-related‌ ‌tax‌ ‌filing‌ ‌deadlines‌ ‌to‌ ‌June‌ ‌1.‌ ‌For‌ ‌

additional‌ ‌information‌ ‌regarding‌ ‌business‌ ‌tax‌ ‌returns‌ ‌-‌ ‌including‌ ‌sales‌ ‌and‌ ‌use‌ ‌tax,‌ ‌alcohol‌ ‌tax,‌ ‌

etc.‌ ‌-‌ ‌and‌ ‌income‌ ‌tax‌ ‌extensions,‌ ‌‌ click‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌who‌ ‌paid‌ ‌their‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Sales‌ ‌&‌ ‌Use‌ ‌

Taxes‌ ‌for‌ ‌March‌ ‌early‌ ‌may‌ ‌request‌ ‌a‌ ‌refund‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌payment‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov‌‌ ‌or‌ ‌by‌ ‌calling‌ ‌410-260-4020.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

Taxpayers‌ ‌who‌ ‌have‌ ‌set‌ ‌up‌ ‌a‌ ‌payment‌ ‌through‌ ‌their‌ ‌own‌ ‌online‌ ‌banking‌ ‌services‌ ‌will‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌

stop‌ ‌that‌ ‌transaction‌ ‌through‌ ‌their‌ ‌banks.‌ ‌Taxpayers‌ ‌who‌ ‌have‌ ‌scheduled‌ ‌a‌ ‌payment‌ ‌through‌ ‌

the‌ ‌Comptroller’s‌ ‌iFIle‌ ‌or‌ ‌bFile‌ ‌can‌ ‌request‌ ‌to‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌debit‌ ‌from‌ ‌their‌ ‌account‌ ‌stopped‌ ‌as‌ ‌long‌ ‌

as‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌ ‌at‌ ‌least‌ ‌3‌ ‌days‌ ‌prior‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌scheduled‌ ‌payment‌ ‌date.‌ ‌

‌

If‌ ‌taxpayers‌ ‌have‌ ‌individual‌ ‌requests‌ ‌for‌ ‌assistance,‌ ‌they‌ ‌should‌ ‌contact‌ ‌Taxpayer‌ ‌Services‌ ‌at‌ ‌

410-260-7980‌ ‌or‌ ‌via‌ ‌email‌ ‌at‌ ‌‌ taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov‌ .‌ ‌ ‌

‌

What‌ ‌about‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌license‌ ‌or‌ ‌permit‌ ‌that‌ ‌is‌ ‌about‌ ‌to‌ ‌expire?‌ ‌

Because‌ ‌renewing‌ ‌expiring‌ ‌permits‌ ‌or‌ ‌licenses‌ ‌often‌ ‌requires‌ ‌the‌ ‌public‌ ‌to‌ ‌enter‌ ‌public‌ ‌buildings‌ ‌

and‌ ‌interact‌ ‌with‌ ‌state‌ ‌employees;‌ ‌all‌ ‌licenses,‌ ‌permits,‌ ‌registrations,‌ ‌and‌ ‌other‌ ‌authorizations‌ ‌

issued‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌state,‌ ‌its‌ ‌agencies‌ ‌or‌ ‌any‌ ‌political‌ ‌subdivision‌ ‌that‌ ‌would‌ ‌expire‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌current‌ ‌

state‌ ‌of‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌extended‌ ‌until‌ ‌the‌ ‌30th‌ ‌day‌ ‌after‌ ‌the‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌is‌ ‌lifted.‌ ‌

Read‌ ‌the‌ ‌executive‌ ‌order.‌ ‌

‌

How‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌prepare‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌ahead‌ ‌of‌ ‌time?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Labor‌ ‌has‌ ‌developed‌ ‌some‌ ‌‌ guidelines‌‌ ‌for‌ ‌how‌ ‌companies‌ ‌can‌ ‌prepare‌ ‌

their‌ ‌workplace‌ ‌for‌ ‌COVID-19.‌ ‌In‌ ‌addition,‌ ‌the‌ ‌Occupational‌ ‌Safety‌ ‌and‌ ‌Health‌ ‌Administration‌ ‌

(OSHA)‌ ‌has‌ ‌launched‌ ‌a‌ ‌‌ COVID-19‌ ‌website‌‌ ‌with‌ ‌information‌ ‌specifically‌ ‌for‌ ‌workers‌ ‌and‌ ‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

employers.‌ ‌There‌ ‌is‌ ‌also‌ ‌information‌ ‌on‌ ‌issues‌ ‌relating‌ ‌to‌ ‌wages‌ ‌and‌ ‌hours‌ ‌worked‌ ‌under‌ ‌the‌ ‌

Fair‌ ‌Labor‌ ‌Standards‌ ‌Act‌ ‌available‌ ‌‌ here‌ .‌ ‌

‌

As‌ ‌a‌ ‌business,‌ ‌how‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌help‌ ‌protect‌ ‌my‌ ‌employees?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌CDC‌ ‌is‌ ‌encouraging‌ ‌routine‌ ‌environmental‌ ‌cleaning‌ ‌for‌ ‌businesses,‌ ‌as‌ ‌well‌ ‌as‌ ‌encouraging‌ ‌

sick‌ ‌employees‌ ‌to‌ ‌stay‌ ‌home‌ ‌and‌ ‌advising‌ ‌other‌ ‌employees‌ ‌to‌ ‌take‌ ‌specific‌ ‌steps‌ ‌before‌ ‌

traveling.‌ ‌‌ Click‌ ‌here‌ ‌for‌ ‌more‌ ‌guidance‌ ‌and‌ ‌information‌ .‌ ‌

‌

Additionally,‌ ‌the‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Emergency‌ ‌Management‌ ‌Agency‌ ‌(MEMA)‌ ‌has‌ ‌activated‌ ‌its‌ ‌Virtual‌ ‌

Business‌ ‌Operation‌ ‌Center‌ ‌(VBOC)‌ ‌to‌ ‌address‌ ‌inquiries‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌private‌ ‌sector.‌ ‌It‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌

accessed‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌ clicking‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌that‌ ‌are‌ ‌interested‌ ‌in‌ ‌increasing‌ ‌engagement‌ ‌

surrounding‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌operations‌ ‌can‌ ‌learn‌ ‌more‌ ‌through‌ ‌MEMA's‌ ‌‌ Private‌ ‌Sector‌ ‌Integration‌ ‌

Program‌ .‌ ‌

‌

If‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌required‌ ‌to‌ ‌close‌ ‌my‌ ‌business,‌ ‌will‌ ‌I‌ ‌get‌ ‌reimbursed‌ ‌from‌ ‌my‌ ‌

insurance‌ ‌company‌ ‌for‌ ‌financial‌ ‌losses?‌ ‌What‌ ‌about‌ ‌Business‌ ‌

Interruption‌ ‌Insurance?‌ ‌

According‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌‌ Maryland‌ ‌Insurance‌ ‌Administration‌‌ ‌(MIA),‌ ‌lost‌ ‌business‌ ‌income‌ ‌insurance‌ ‌is‌ ‌

subject‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌specific‌ ‌terms‌ ‌and‌ ‌conditions‌ ‌of‌ ‌your‌ ‌policy.‌ ‌Contact‌ ‌the‌ ‌broker‌ ‌or‌ ‌agent‌ ‌that‌ ‌sold‌ ‌

the‌ ‌policy,‌ ‌the‌ ‌insurance‌ ‌company‌ ‌or‌ ‌the‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Insurance‌ ‌Administration‌ ‌with‌ ‌any‌ ‌questions.‌ ‌

‌

MIA‌ ‌is‌ ‌also‌ ‌receiving‌ ‌a‌ ‌high‌ ‌volume‌ ‌of‌ ‌inquiries‌ ‌about‌ ‌Business‌ ‌Interruption‌ ‌insurance.‌ ‌Business‌ ‌

Interruption‌ ‌coverage‌ ‌is‌ ‌typically‌ ‌triggered‌ ‌under‌ ‌a‌ ‌commercial‌ ‌insurance‌ ‌policy‌ ‌when‌ ‌a‌ ‌covered‌ ‌

risk‌ ‌/‌ ‌peril‌ ‌causes‌ ‌physical‌ ‌damage‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌insured‌ ‌premises‌ ‌resulting‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌shut‌ ‌down‌ ‌

business‌ ‌operations.‌ ‌All‌ ‌insurance‌ ‌policies‌ ‌have‌ ‌exclusions‌ ‌of‌ ‌coverage‌ ‌for‌ ‌risks‌ ‌that‌ ‌are‌ ‌too‌ ‌

great‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌underwritten‌ ‌at‌ ‌an‌ ‌affordable‌ ‌price.‌ ‌Global‌ ‌pandemics‌ ‌like‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌usually‌ ‌fall‌ ‌into‌ ‌

this‌ ‌category.‌ ‌However,‌ ‌policies‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌different.‌ ‌‌ Read‌ ‌more‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌

‌

For‌ ‌details‌ ‌on‌ ‌Unemployment‌ ‌Benefits,‌ ‌visit‌ ‌‌ DLLR’s‌ ‌FAQ‌ ‌guide‌ ‌online‌ .‌ ‌For‌ ‌more‌ ‌information‌ ‌

from‌ ‌the‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Insurance‌ ‌Administration,‌ ‌‌ click‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

If‌ ‌my‌ ‌business‌ ‌experiences‌ ‌a‌ ‌temporary‌ ‌or‌ ‌permanent‌ ‌layoff,‌ ‌what‌ ‌

steps‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌take?‌ ‌ ‌

If‌ ‌a‌ ‌business‌ ‌experiences‌ ‌a‌ ‌temporary‌ ‌or‌ ‌permanent‌ ‌layoff,‌ ‌Labor’s‌ ‌Division‌ ‌of‌ ‌‌ Unemployment‌ ‌

Insurance‌ ’s‌ ‌Bulk‌ ‌Claim‌ ‌Services‌ ‌can‌ ‌open‌ ‌unemployment‌ ‌insurance‌ ‌claims‌ ‌for‌ ‌all‌ ‌affected‌ ‌

employees.‌ ‌To‌ ‌determine‌ ‌if‌ ‌a‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌eligible,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌our‌ ‌‌ Bulk‌ ‌Claims‌ ‌Services‌ ‌

Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌‌ ‌page.‌ ‌If‌ ‌a‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌eligible,‌ ‌they‌ ‌should‌ ‌contact‌ ‌a‌ ‌Claims‌ ‌

Representative‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌‌ UI.BulkClaim@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌For‌ ‌additional‌ ‌information,‌ ‌visit‌ ‌the‌ ‌

Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Labor's‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌FAQ‌ ‌page‌ .‌ ‌

‌

What‌ ‌resources‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌to‌ ‌those‌ ‌who‌ ‌are‌ ‌working‌ ‌in‌ ‌

response‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌nationwide‌ ‌outbreak?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Transportation’s‌ ‌Federal‌ ‌Motor‌ ‌Carrier‌ ‌Safety‌ ‌Administration‌ ‌(FMCSA)‌ ‌

has‌ ‌issued‌ ‌a‌ ‌national‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌declaration‌ ‌to‌ ‌provide‌ ‌hours-of-service‌ ‌regulatory‌ ‌relief‌ ‌to‌ ‌

commercial‌ ‌vehicle‌ ‌drivers‌ ‌transporting‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌relief‌ ‌in‌ ‌response‌ ‌to‌ ‌COVID-19.‌ ‌Please‌ ‌‌ visit‌ ‌

their‌ ‌website‌‌ ‌for‌ ‌more‌ ‌information.‌ ‌

‌

My‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌impacted‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌outbreak.‌ ‌Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌find‌ ‌a‌ ‌

low-interest‌ ‌loan‌ ‌to‌ ‌assist‌ ‌during‌ ‌this‌ ‌time?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Commerce‌ ‌has‌ ‌announced‌ ‌three‌ ‌new‌ ‌business‌ ‌assistance‌ ‌

programs‌ ‌in‌ ‌response‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌pandemic,‌ ‌including‌ ‌a‌ ‌$75‌ ‌million‌ ‌loan‌ ‌fund,‌ ‌a‌ ‌$50‌ ‌

million‌ ‌grant‌ ‌program,‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌$5‌ ‌million‌ ‌incentive‌ ‌program‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌manufacturers‌ ‌

produce‌ ‌personal‌ ‌protective‌ ‌equipment‌ ‌(PPE).‌ ‌For‌ ‌more‌ ‌information,‌ ‌visit‌ ‌the‌ ‌Financial‌ ‌

Assistance‌ ‌section‌‌ ‌‌ on‌ ‌this‌ ‌website‌ .‌ ‌For‌ ‌more‌ ‌information‌ ‌about‌ ‌all‌ ‌new‌ ‌business‌ ‌relief‌ ‌

programs,‌ ‌‌ click‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌

‌

Additionally,‌ ‌Governor‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌recently‌ ‌announced‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌entire‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌has‌ ‌received‌ ‌

official‌ ‌designation‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌Small‌ ‌Business‌ ‌Administration‌ ‌(SBA)‌ ‌for‌ ‌its‌ ‌Economic‌ ‌Injury‌ ‌

Disaster‌ ‌Loan‌ ‌(EIDL)‌ ‌program,‌ ‌which‌ ‌provides‌ ‌low-interest‌ ‌federal‌ ‌disaster‌ ‌loans‌ ‌for‌ ‌small‌ ‌

businesses‌ ‌impacted‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus.‌ ‌According‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌SBA,‌ ‌the‌ ‌loans‌ ‌will‌ ‌help‌ ‌alleviate‌ ‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

financial‌ ‌strain‌ ‌and‌ ‌allow‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌to‌ ‌pay‌ ‌bills,‌ ‌payroll,‌ ‌and‌ ‌accounts‌ ‌payable,‌ ‌with‌ ‌long-term‌ ‌

payments‌ ‌stretching‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌30‌ ‌years.‌ ‌Small‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌and‌ ‌private‌ ‌non-profit‌ ‌organizations‌ ‌can‌ ‌

apply‌ ‌directly‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌SBA‌ ‌for‌ ‌financial‌ ‌assistance‌ ‌‌ at‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌ .‌ ‌For‌ ‌more‌ ‌information‌ ‌about‌ ‌

Maryland’s‌ ‌designation,‌ ‌‌ click‌ ‌here.‌‌ ‌Please‌ ‌note‌ ‌-‌ ‌if‌ ‌you‌ ‌have‌ ‌trouble‌ ‌submitting‌ ‌the‌ ‌application‌ ‌

online,‌ ‌it‌ ‌can‌ ‌also‌ ‌be‌ ‌mailed‌ ‌or‌ ‌faxed‌ ‌to‌ ‌SBA.‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌will‌ ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌update‌ ‌our‌ ‌website‌ ‌as‌ ‌we‌ ‌receive‌ ‌more‌ ‌information‌ ‌about‌ ‌SBA‌ ‌loans,‌ ‌

additional‌ ‌financial‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌and‌ ‌more.‌ ‌Please‌ ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌check‌ ‌back‌ ‌regularly‌ ‌as‌ ‌we‌ ‌push‌ ‌

out‌ ‌information‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌masses:‌ ‌‌ https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

You‌ ‌can‌ ‌also‌ ‌‌ visit‌ ‌SBA’s‌ ‌website‌ ‌for‌ ‌guidance‌‌ ‌for‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌and‌ ‌employers.‌ ‌If‌ ‌you‌ ‌need‌ ‌

additional‌ ‌help‌ ‌navigating‌ ‌the‌ ‌SBA‌ ‌process,‌ ‌‌ Maryland‌ ‌SBDC‌ ‌can‌ ‌help‌ .‌ ‌

‌

What‌ ‌if‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌currently‌ ‌playing‌ ‌off‌ ‌an‌ ‌SBA‌ ‌loan‌ ‌from‌ ‌a‌ ‌previous‌ ‌

disaster?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌Small‌ ‌Business‌ ‌Administration‌ ‌recently‌ ‌announced‌ ‌changes‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌borrowers‌ ‌still‌ ‌

paying‌ ‌back‌ ‌SBA‌ ‌loans‌ ‌from‌ ‌previous‌ ‌disasters.‌ ‌By‌ ‌making‌ ‌this‌ ‌change,‌ ‌deferments‌ ‌through‌ ‌

December‌ ‌31,‌ ‌2020,‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌automatic.‌ ‌Now,‌ ‌borrowers‌ ‌of‌ ‌home‌ ‌and‌ ‌business‌ ‌disaster‌ ‌loans‌ ‌do‌ ‌

not‌ ‌have‌ ‌to‌ ‌contact‌ ‌SBA‌ ‌to‌ ‌request‌ ‌deferment.‌ ‌‌ Read‌ ‌more‌ .‌ ‌

‌

My‌ ‌business‌ ‌is‌ ‌hosting‌ ‌an‌ ‌event‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌upcoming‌ ‌weeks.‌ ‌Should‌ ‌it‌ ‌

be‌ ‌postponed?‌ ‌

Effective‌ ‌immediately,‌ ‌gatherings‌ ‌of‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌10‌ ‌people,‌ ‌including‌ ‌social,‌ ‌community,‌ ‌spiritual,‌ ‌

religious,‌ ‌recreational,‌ ‌leisure,‌ ‌and‌ ‌sporting‌ ‌gatherings,‌ ‌are‌ ‌prohibited‌ ‌at‌ ‌all‌ ‌locations‌ ‌and‌ ‌

venues.‌ ‌‌ Read‌ ‌the‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌order.‌ ‌

‌

Planned‌ ‌large‌ ‌gatherings‌ ‌and‌ ‌events‌ ‌must‌ ‌be‌ ‌canceled‌ ‌or‌ ‌postponed‌ ‌until‌ ‌after‌ ‌termination‌ ‌of‌ ‌

the‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌proclamation‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌catastrophic‌ ‌health‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌

rescinded.‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

I‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌take‌ ‌off‌ ‌work‌ ‌to‌ ‌care‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌family‌ ‌member.‌ ‌Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌

find‌ ‌help?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌‌ Maryland‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Labor‌ ’s‌ ‌‌ Division‌ ‌of‌ ‌Labor‌ ‌and‌ ‌Industry‌‌ ‌enforces‌ ‌the‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌

Health‌ ‌Working‌ ‌Families‌ ‌Act,‌ ‌also‌ ‌known‌ ‌as‌ ‌safe‌ ‌and‌ ‌sick‌ ‌leave,‌ ‌which‌ ‌may‌ ‌be‌ ‌useful‌ ‌for‌ ‌

employees‌ ‌who‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌take‌ ‌off‌ ‌from‌ ‌work‌ ‌due‌ ‌to‌ ‌COVID-19.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

To‌ ‌learn‌ ‌more‌ ‌about‌ ‌the‌ ‌‌ law‌ ,‌ ‌email‌ ‌‌ ssl.assistance@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌

‌

Are‌ ‌Maryland’s‌ ‌casinos‌ ‌open?‌ ‌

Governor‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌has‌ ‌issued‌ ‌an‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌order‌ ‌to‌ ‌close‌ ‌all‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌casinos,‌ ‌racetracks,‌ ‌and‌ ‌

simulcast‌ ‌betting‌ ‌facilities‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌general‌ ‌public‌ ‌indefinitely.‌ ‌Please‌ ‌see‌ ‌‌ the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌announcement‌ ‌

for‌ ‌more‌ ‌information.‌ ‌

‌

What‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌status‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌state’s‌ ‌cruise‌ ‌terminal‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌Port‌ ‌of‌ ‌

Baltimore?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌Port‌ ‌of‌ ‌Baltimore‌ ‌is‌ ‌open‌ ‌for‌ ‌business.‌ ‌With‌ ‌declines‌ ‌in‌ ‌international‌ ‌container‌ ‌volumes‌ ‌due‌ ‌

to‌ ‌the‌ ‌coronavirus,‌ ‌Ports‌ ‌America‌ ‌Chesapeake,‌ ‌the‌ ‌company‌ ‌that‌ ‌operates‌ ‌Seagirt‌ ‌Marine‌ ‌

Terminal,‌ ‌is‌ ‌open‌ ‌from‌ ‌7‌ ‌a.m.‌ ‌to‌ ‌4:45‌ ‌p.m.‌ ‌Monday‌ ‌through‌ ‌Friday.‌ ‌These‌ ‌hours‌ ‌only‌ ‌impact‌ ‌

Seagirt.‌ ‌The‌ ‌five‌ ‌other‌ ‌public‌ ‌marine‌ ‌terminals‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌Port‌ ‌of‌ ‌Baltimore‌ ‌are‌ ‌open‌ ‌regular‌ ‌hours,‌ ‌6‌ ‌

a.m.‌ ‌to‌ ‌5‌ ‌p.m.,‌ ‌Monday‌ ‌through‌ ‌Friday.‌ ‌These‌ ‌terminals‌ ‌carry‌ ‌farm‌ ‌and‌ ‌construction‌ ‌equipment,‌ ‌

cars/light‌ ‌trucks,‌ ‌paper‌ ‌products‌ ‌and‌ ‌breakbulk‌ ‌cargo‌ ‌(such‌ ‌as‌ ‌transit‌ ‌vehicles‌ ‌and‌ ‌yachts).‌ ‌

‌

In‌ ‌accordance‌ ‌with‌ ‌Governor‌ ‌Larry‌ ‌Hogan’s‌ ‌March‌ ‌12‌ ‌‌ executive‌ ‌order‌ ,‌ ‌the‌ ‌cruise‌ ‌terminal‌ ‌is‌ ‌

closed.‌ ‌To‌ ‌date,‌ ‌there‌ ‌have‌ ‌been‌ ‌no‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases‌ ‌of‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌connected‌ ‌to‌ ‌Port‌ ‌of‌ ‌

Baltimore-based‌ ‌cruise‌ ‌ships.‌ ‌For‌ ‌updates,‌ ‌go‌ ‌to‌ ‌their‌ ‌‌ Website‌ ,‌ ‌‌ Twitter‌ ,‌ ‌or‌ ‌‌ Facebook‌ .‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

How‌ ‌have‌ ‌operations‌ ‌at‌ ‌BWI‌ ‌Airport‌ ‌changed?‌ ‌

BWI‌ ‌Thurgood‌ ‌Marshall‌ ‌Airport‌ ‌and‌ ‌Martin‌ ‌State‌ ‌Airport‌ ‌are‌ ‌open‌ ‌and‌ ‌operating,‌ ‌but‌ ‌access‌ ‌is‌ ‌

restricted‌ ‌to‌ ‌ticketed‌ ‌passengers‌ ‌and‌ ‌badged‌ ‌airport‌ ‌workers.‌ ‌The‌ ‌only‌ ‌exception‌ ‌is‌ ‌for‌ ‌people‌ ‌

assisting‌ ‌disabled‌ ‌travelers.‌ ‌The‌ ‌airport‌ ‌is‌ ‌offering‌ ‌the‌ ‌“first‌ ‌hour‌ ‌free”‌ ‌in‌ ‌its‌ ‌hourly‌ ‌garage‌ ‌to‌ ‌

allow‌ ‌family‌ ‌and‌ ‌friends‌ ‌to‌ ‌wait‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌garage‌ ‌for‌ ‌arriving‌ ‌travelers.‌ ‌Sit-down‌ ‌restaurants‌ ‌and‌ ‌

bars‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌airport‌ ‌have‌ ‌suspended‌ ‌dine-in‌ ‌services.‌ ‌Where‌ ‌available,‌ ‌carry-out‌ ‌is‌ ‌being‌ ‌

provided,‌ ‌with‌ ‌limited‌ ‌seating‌ ‌in‌ ‌food‌ ‌courts.‌ ‌

‌

The‌ ‌airport‌ ‌is‌ ‌coordinating‌ ‌with‌ ‌TSA‌ ‌to‌ ‌close‌ ‌some‌ ‌lanes‌ ‌in‌ ‌security‌ ‌checkpoints‌ ‌to‌ ‌provide‌ ‌

additional‌ ‌separation‌ ‌between‌ ‌passengers.‌ ‌The‌ ‌airport‌ ‌also‌ ‌is‌ ‌working‌ ‌with‌ ‌airlines‌ ‌to‌ ‌adjust‌ ‌

ticketing‌ ‌and‌ ‌bag‌ ‌check‌ ‌functions,‌ ‌where‌ ‌possible,‌ ‌to‌ ‌provide‌ ‌added‌ ‌space.‌ ‌Regarding‌ ‌flights,‌ ‌

travelers‌ ‌should‌ ‌contact‌ ‌their‌ ‌airlines‌ ‌for‌ ‌updated‌ ‌flight‌ ‌status‌ ‌information.‌ ‌Airline‌ ‌information‌ ‌is‌ ‌

available‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌‌ BWI‌ ‌Marshall‌ ‌website‌ .‌ ‌For‌ ‌other‌ ‌updates,‌ ‌follow‌ ‌on‌ ‌‌ Facebook‌‌ ‌and‌ ‌‌ Twitter‌ .‌ ‌

‌

If‌ ‌restaurants‌ ‌are‌ ‌closed,‌ ‌are‌ ‌breweries‌ ‌closed‌ ‌too?‌ ‌

Governor‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌has‌ ‌ordered‌ ‌the‌ ‌closure‌ ‌of‌ ‌all‌ ‌bars,‌ ‌restaurants,‌ ‌and‌ ‌similar‌ ‌establishments‌ ‌to‌ ‌

the‌ ‌general‌ ‌public‌ ‌effective‌ ‌March‌ ‌16‌ ‌at‌ ‌5PM.‌ ‌Drive-thru,‌ ‌carry-out,‌ ‌and‌ ‌delivery‌ ‌services‌ ‌will‌ ‌

continue.‌ ‌‌ Read‌ ‌more‌ ‌here‌ .‌ ‌Additionally,‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌these‌ ‌establishments,‌ ‌the‌ ‌Governor‌ ‌has‌ ‌clarified‌ ‌

that‌ ‌breweries,‌ ‌wineries,‌ ‌and‌ ‌distilleries‌ ‌can‌ ‌still‌ ‌sell/deliver‌ ‌products.‌ ‌‌ Read‌ ‌more‌ .‌ ‌

‌

In‌ ‌an‌ ‌effort‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌Maryland’s‌ ‌craft‌ ‌alcohol‌ ‌manufacturers‌ ‌keep‌ ‌their‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌afloat‌ ‌through‌ ‌

the‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌pandemic,‌ ‌Comptroller‌ ‌Peter‌ ‌Franchot‌ ‌announced‌ ‌that‌ ‌his‌ ‌office‌ ‌is‌ ‌temporarily‌ ‌

suspending‌ ‌its‌ ‌enforcement‌ ‌of‌ ‌limits‌ ‌imposed‌ ‌on‌ ‌customers‌ ‌purchasing‌ ‌beer‌ ‌and‌ ‌distilled‌ ‌spirits.‌ ‌

Current‌ ‌state‌ ‌law‌ ‌restricts‌ ‌how‌ ‌much‌ ‌product‌ ‌a‌ ‌Maryland-based‌ ‌craft‌ ‌brewery‌ ‌and‌ ‌craft‌ ‌distillery‌ ‌

can‌ ‌sell‌ ‌to‌ ‌its‌ ‌customers‌ ‌for‌ ‌carryout‌ ‌and‌ ‌off-premise‌ ‌consumption.‌ ‌

‌

This‌ ‌action‌ ‌puts‌ ‌local‌ ‌manufacturers‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌level‌ ‌playing‌ ‌field‌ ‌with‌ ‌Maryland's‌ ‌package‌ ‌stores,‌ ‌

which‌ ‌are‌ ‌not‌ ‌bound‌ ‌by‌ ‌the‌ ‌same‌ ‌sales‌ ‌limits.‌ ‌It‌ ‌also‌ ‌could‌ ‌preserve‌ ‌jobs‌ ‌for‌ ‌brewery‌ ‌and‌ ‌

distillery‌ ‌employees‌ ‌who‌ ‌may‌ ‌otherwise‌ ‌have‌ ‌been‌ ‌laid‌ ‌off‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌emergency.‌ ‌‌ Read‌ ‌

more‌ .‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

Are‌ ‌Maryland’s‌ ‌Welcome‌ ‌Centers‌ ‌open‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌public?‌ ‌

As‌ ‌of‌ ‌Friday,‌ ‌March‌ ‌13,‌ ‌all‌ ‌state‌ ‌Welcome‌ ‌Centers‌ ‌are‌ ‌closed‌ ‌until‌ ‌further‌ ‌notice.‌ ‌All‌ ‌centers‌ ‌

have‌ ‌signs‌ ‌being‌ ‌placed‌ ‌to‌ ‌announce‌ ‌the‌ ‌closure.‌ ‌Rest‌ ‌areas,‌ ‌including‌ ‌bathrooms‌ ‌and‌ ‌parking,‌ ‌

remain‌ ‌open.‌ ‌

‌

More‌ ‌information‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌found‌ ‌by‌ ‌calling‌ ‌877-333-4455‌ ‌or‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌visitmaryland.org.‌ ‌You‌ ‌can‌ ‌

also‌ ‌email‌ ‌questions‌ ‌to‌ ‌‌ info@visitmaryland.org‌ .‌ ‌Phones‌ ‌are‌ ‌being‌ ‌monitored‌ ‌during‌ ‌normal‌ ‌

business‌ ‌hours,‌ ‌and‌ ‌emails‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌responded‌ ‌to‌ ‌within‌ ‌24‌ ‌hours,‌ ‌if‌ ‌possible.‌ ‌

‌

Are‌ ‌Maryland’s‌ ‌State‌ ‌Parks‌ ‌open‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌public?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌Harriet‌ ‌Tubman‌ ‌Underground‌ ‌Railroad‌ ‌Visitor‌ ‌Center‌ ‌and‌ ‌park‌ ‌has‌ ‌closed‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌public.‌ ‌All‌ ‌

other‌ ‌parks‌ ‌are‌ ‌still‌ ‌open‌ ‌with‌ ‌limited,‌ ‌basic‌ ‌operations,‌ ‌providing‌ ‌areas‌ ‌for‌ ‌people‌ ‌to‌ ‌enjoy‌ ‌

recreation‌ ‌while‌ ‌practicing‌ ‌social‌ ‌distancing.‌ ‌No‌ ‌buildings‌ ‌are‌ ‌open‌ ‌except‌ ‌comfort‌ ‌stations.‌ ‌

Large‌ ‌events‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌cancelled‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌rolling‌ ‌basis‌ ‌as‌ ‌necessary.‌ ‌Find‌ ‌more‌ ‌information‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌

Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Natural‌ ‌Resources‌ .‌ ‌

‌

What's‌ ‌the‌ ‌best‌ ‌way‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌tested?‌ ‌

The‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Health‌ ‌is‌ ‌taking‌ ‌the‌ ‌lead‌ ‌on‌ ‌providing‌ ‌health‌ ‌guidance‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌

general‌ ‌public.‌ ‌If‌ ‌you‌ ‌have‌ ‌recently‌ ‌traveled‌ ‌to‌ ‌any‌ ‌geographic‌ ‌area‌ ‌of‌ ‌concern‌ ‌or‌ ‌were‌ ‌in‌ ‌

contact‌ ‌with‌ ‌someone‌ ‌with‌ ‌COVID-19,‌ ‌and‌ ‌you‌ ‌become‌ ‌sick‌ ‌with‌ ‌fever,‌ ‌cough‌ ‌or‌ ‌have‌ ‌difficulty‌ ‌

breathing,‌ ‌seek‌ ‌medical‌ ‌care‌ ‌right‌ ‌away.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

Follow‌ ‌these‌ ‌steps:‌ ‌

•‌ ‌Call‌ ‌your‌ ‌doctor‌ ‌or‌ ‌emergency‌ ‌room‌ ‌before‌ ‌you‌ ‌go‌ ‌

•‌ ‌Tell‌ ‌them‌ ‌about‌ ‌recent‌ ‌travel‌ ‌and‌ ‌close‌ ‌contacts‌ ‌(such‌ ‌as‌ ‌people‌ ‌in‌ ‌your‌ ‌household)‌ ‌

•‌ ‌Wear‌ ‌a‌ ‌mask,‌ ‌if‌ ‌one‌ ‌is‌ ‌available‌ ‌

‌

Please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌the‌ ‌‌ Maryland‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Health‌‌ ‌for‌ ‌more‌ ‌information.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌ Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌ ‌for‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Businesses‌ ‌Planning‌ ‌and‌ ‌

Responding‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌find‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌information‌ ‌on‌ ‌COVID-19?‌ ‌

Please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌the‌ ‌Maryland‌ ‌Department‌ ‌of‌ ‌Health‌ ‌who‌ ‌is‌ ‌providing‌ ‌updates‌ ‌as‌ ‌they‌ ‌become‌ ‌

available:‌ ‌‌ health.maryland.gov/coronavirus‌ ‌

‌

Where‌ ‌can‌ ‌I‌ ‌find‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌updates‌ ‌from‌ ‌Governor‌ ‌Larry‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌

on‌ ‌the‌ ‌state’s‌ ‌response‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌outbreak?‌ ‌

Please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌the‌ ‌Office‌ ‌of‌ ‌Governor‌ ‌Larry‌ ‌Hogan‌ ‌online:‌ ‌

https://governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus/‌ ‌

We‌ ‌encourage‌ ‌members‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌business‌ ‌community‌ ‌to‌ ‌reach‌ ‌out‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌questions‌ ‌by‌ ‌emailing‌ ‌

Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov‌ .‌ ‌‌ For‌ ‌more‌ ‌more‌ ‌resources,‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌

BusinessExpress.Maryland.gov/Coronavirus‌ ‌

COVID - 19 Family & Medical Leave Act Questions & Answers

7016234673 — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 15:30:47 GMT

COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers

If you or your employees are out with the flu or are caring for ill family members, check with the Department of Labor (DOL) for information on whether such leave is covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under the FMLA, covered employers must provide employees job-protected, unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons , which may include the flu where complications arise. Employees on FMLA leave are entitled to the continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms as existed before they took FMLA leave.

——————«»——————

Which employees are eligible to take FMLA leave?

Employees are eligible to take FMLA leave if they work for a covered employer and:

have worked for their employer for at least 12 months;
have at least 1,250 hours of service over the previous 12 months; and
work at a location where at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75 miles.

Special hours of service requirements apply to airline flight crew employees and to breaks in service to fulfill National Guard or Reserve military service obligations pursuant to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). (See the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division or call 1-866-487-9243 for additional information on FMLA.)

Must an employer grant leave to an employee who is sick or who is caring for a family member that is sick?

An employee who is sick or whose family members are sick may be entitled to leave under the FMLA under certain circumstances. The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a designated 12-month leave year for specified family and medical reasons. This may include the flu where complications arise that create a “serious health condition” as defined by the FMLA. Employees on FMLA leave are entitled to the continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same conditions as coverage would have been provided if the employee had been continuously employed during the leave period.

Workers who are ill with pandemic influenza or have a family member with influenza are urged to stay home to minimize the spread of the pandemic. Employers are encouraged to support these and other community mitigation strategies and should consider flexible leave policies for their employees.

Can an employee stay home under FMLA leave to avoid getting pandemic influenza?

The FMLA protects eligible employees who are incapacitated by a serious health condition, as may be the case with the flu where complications arise, or who are needed to care for covered family members who are incapacitated by a serious health condition. Leave taken by an employee for the purpose of avoiding exposure to the flu would not be protected under the FMLA. Employers should encourage employees who are ill with pandemic influenza or are exposed to ill family members to stay home and should consider flexible leave policies for their employees in these circumstances.

What legal responsibility do employers have to allow parents or care givers time off from work to care for the sick or children who have been dismissed from school?

Covered employers must abide by the FMLA as well as any applicable state FMLA laws . An employee who is sick, or whose family members are sick, may be entitled to leave under the FMLA. The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a designated 12-month leave year for specified family and medical reasons which may include the flu where complications arise that create a “serious health condition” as defined by the FMLA.

There is currently no federal law covering non-government employees who take off from work to care for healthy children, and employers are not required by federal law to provide leave to employees caring for dependents who have been dismissed from school or child care. However, given the potential for significant illness under some pandemic influenza scenarios, employers should review their leave policies to consider providing increased flexibility to their employees and their families. Remember that federal law mandates that any flexible leave policies must be administered in a manner that does not discriminate against employees because of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age (40 and over), disability, or veteran status.

Is an employer required by law to provide paid sick leave to employees who are out of work because they have pandemic influenza, have been exposed to a family member with influenza, or are caring for a family member with influenza?

Federal law generally does not require employers to provide paid leave to employees who are absent from work because they are sick with pandemic flu, have been exposed to someone with the flu or are caring for someone with the flu, although pursuant to Executive Order 13706 , some federal contractors may be required to provide such leave to employees under certain circumstances, such as if the employee or a family member is sick with the flu or seeking care related to the flu. Certain state or local laws may have different requirements, which should be independently considered by employers when determining their obligation to provide paid sick leave.

If the leave qualifies as FMLA-protected leave, the statute allows the employee to elect or the employer to require the substitution of paid sick and paid vacation/personal leave in some circumstances. Employers should encourage employees that are ill with pandemic influenza to stay home and should consider flexible leave policies for their employees.

May employers send employees home if they show symptoms of pandemic influenza? Can the employees be required to take sick leave? Do they have to be paid? May employers prevent employees from coming to work?

It is important to prepare a plan of action specific to your workplace, given that a pandemic influenza outbreak could affect many employees. This plan or policy could permit you to send employees home, but the plan and the employment decisions must comply with the laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of race, sex, age (40 and over), color, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status. It would also be prudent to notify employees (and if applicable, their bargaining unit representatives) about decisions made under this plan or policy at the earliest feasible time.

Your company policies on sick leave, and any applicable employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements would determine whether you should provide paid leave to employees who are not at work. If the leave qualifies as FMLA-protected leave, the statute allows the employee to elect or the employer to require the substitution of paid sick and paid vacation/personal leave in some circumstances. (See the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for additional information or call 1-866-487-9243 if you have any questions.)

Remember when making these decisions to exclude employees from the workplace, you cannot discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age (40 and over), color, religion, national origin, disability, union membership or veteran status. However, you may exclude an employee with a disability from the workplace if you:

obtain objective evidence that the employee poses a direct threat (i.e. significant risk of substantial harm); and
determine that there is no available reasonable accommodation (that would not pose an undue hardship) to eliminate the direct threat.

(See the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Enforcement Guidance: Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Examinations of Employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act for additional information.)

May an employer require an employee who is out sick with pandemic influenza to provide a doctor’s note, submit to a medical exam, or remain symptom-free for a specified amount of time before returning to work?

Yes. However, employers should consider that during a pandemic, healthcare resources may be overwhelmed and it may be difficult for employees to get appointments with doctors or other health care providers to verify they are well or no longer contagious.

During a pandemic health crisis, under the Americans with Disabilities Act 1 (ADA), an employer would be allowed to require a doctor’s note, a medical examination, or a time period during which the employee has been symptom free, before it allows the employee to return to work. Specifically, an employer may require the above actions of an employee where it has a reasonable belief – based on objective evidence – that the employee’s present medical condition would

impair his ability to perform essential job functions (i.e., fundamental job duties) with or without reasonable accommodation, or,
pose a direct threat (i.e., significant risk of substantial harm that cannot be reduced or eliminated by reasonable accommodation) to safety in the workplace.

In situations in which an employee’s leave is covered by the FMLA, the employer may have a uniformly-applied policy or practice that requires all similarly-situated employees to obtain and present certification from the employee’s health care provider that the employee is able to resume work. Employers are required to notify employees in advance if the employer will require a fitness-for-duty certification to return to work. If state or local law or the terms of a collective bargaining agreement govern an employee’s return to work, those provisions shall be applied. Employers should be aware that fitness-for-duty certifications may be difficult to obtain during a pandemic.

May employers change their paid sick leave policy if a number of employees are out and they cannot afford to pay them all?

Federal equal employment opportunity laws do not prohibit employers from changing their paid sick leave policy if it is done in a manner that does not discriminate between employees because of race, sex, age (40 and over), color, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Be sure also to consult state and local laws.

In addition, you should consider that if your workforce is represented by a labor union and the collective bargaining agreement covers sick leave policies, you may be limited in either the manner in which you change the policy or the manner of the changes themselves because the collective bargaining agreement would be controlling. In a workplace without a collective bargaining agreement, employees may have a contractual right to any accrued sick leave, but not future leave.

Your sick leave policy also has to follow the requirements of the FMLA (if your employees are covered by the Act), and it needs to be consistent with federal workplace anti-discrimination laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (See the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division or call 1-866-487-9243 for additional information on FMLA. See the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or call 1-800-669-4000 if you have questions on ADA.)

If an employer temporarily closes his or her place of business because of an influenza pandemic and chooses to lay off some but not all employees, are there any federal laws that would govern this decision?

The federal laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of race, sex, age (40 and over), color, religion, national origin, or disability may apply. (See the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or call 1-800-669-4000 if you have questions.) Other specific Federal laws that prohibit discrimination on these or additional bases may also govern if an employer is a Federal contractor or a recipient of Federal financial assistance.

Additionally, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act helps ensure advance notice in cases of qualified plant closings and mass layoffs. For more information about the WARN Act see https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/layoffs/warn .

You may also not discriminate against an employee because the employee has requested or used qualifying FMLA leave. (See the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division for additional information or call 1-866-487-9243 if you have questions.)

In addition, you may not discriminate against an employee because he or she is a past or present member of the United States uniformed service. (See the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service for additional information or call 1-866-889-5627 if you have questions.)

Some employees may not be able to come to work because they have to take care of sick family members. May an employer lay them off?

It depends. If an employee is covered and eligible under the FMLA and is needed to care for a spouse, daughter, son, or parent who has a serious health condition, then the employee is entitled to up to 12 weeks of job-protected , unpaid leave during any 12-month period. Some states may have similar family leave laws . In those situations, covered employers must comply with the federal or state provision that provides the greater benefit to their employees. (See the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division for additional information or call 1-866-487-9243 if you have questions.)

In lieu of laying off employees in this situation, we would encourage you to consider other options such as telecommuting and to prepare a plan of action specific to your workplace.

What types of policy options do employers have for preventing abuse of leave?

Both the FMLA and the Americans with Disabilities Act affect the provision of leave.

Under the FMLA, employees seeking to use FMLA leave are required to provide 30-day advance notice of the need to take FMLA leave when the need is foreseeable and such notice is practicable. In addition, employers may require employees to provide:

medical certification supporting the need for leave due to a serious health condition affecting the employee or a spouse, son, daughter or parent, including periodic re-certification;
second or third medical opinions (at the employer's expense);
periodic reports during FMLA leave regarding the employee's status and intent to return to work; and
consistent with a uniformly-applied policy or practice for similarly-situated employees, a fitness for duty certification. (Employers should be aware that fitness-for-duty certifications may be difficult to obtain during a pandemic.) (See also: “May an employer require an employee who is out sick with pandemic influenza to provide a doctor’s note, submit to a medical exam, or remain symptom-free for a specified amount of time before returning to work?”)

The FMLA also allows the employee to elect or the employer to require the substitution of paid sick and paid vacation/personal leave in some circumstances. (See the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for additional information on the FMLA or call 1-866-487-9243 if you have questions.)

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act , qualified individuals with disabilities may be entitled to unscheduled leave, unpaid leave, or modifications to the employer sick leave policies as “reasonable accommodations.” These are modifications or adjustments to jobs, work environments, or workplace polices that enable qualified employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions (i.e., fundamental duties) of their jobs and have equal opportunities to receive the benefits available to employees without disabilities. (See the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship under the Americans with Disabilities Act for additional information.)

For further information about Coronavirus, please visit the HHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

IRS Filing & Payment Deadline Frequently Asked Questions

7016234673 — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 19:16:21 GMT

Filing and Payment Deadlines Questions and Answers

In Notice 2020-18 (PDF) , the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced special Federal income tax return filing and payment relief in response to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency. Below are answers to frequently asked questions related to the relief provided in the Notice. These questions and answers will be updated periodically and are designed to be a flexible tool to communicate information to taxpayers and tax professionals in this changing environment. The answers to these questions provide responses to general inquiries and are not citable as legal authority. Accordingly, the Treasury Department and the IRS are continuing to consider additional IRB guidance on these issues addressed in these FAQs.

Eligibility

Use tab to go to the next focusable element

Q1. Who is eligible for relief under the Notice?

Q2. Do I have to actually be sick, or quarantined, or have any other impact from COVID-19 to qualify for payment relief?

Q3. What are the form numbers of the specific Federal income tax returns whose filing deadlines have been postponed, from April 15 to July 15, under the Notice?

Q4. I am a fiscal year filer. My Federal income tax return for fiscal year 2019 is due on April 15, 2020. Am I an “Affected Taxpayer” eligible for relief under the Notice?

Q5. What about businesses or other entities that have filing due dates on May 15, June 15, or some other date besides April 15. Have their filing and payment deadlines been postponed?

Q6. Does the relief provided in the Notice apply to payroll or excise taxes?

Q7. Does the relief provided in the Notice apply to estate and gift taxes?

Q8. Does the relief provided in the Notice apply to section 965(h) installment payments due on April 15, 2020?

Q9. Does the relief provided in the Notice apply to estimated payments for a corporation required to make payments under section 59A (Basis Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax, or BEAT)?

Q10. Does the relief provided in the Notice apply to the filing of information returns?

Filing and paying your 2019 Federal income taxes and your first quarter 2020 Federal estimated income taxes

Q11. I haven’t filed my 2019 income tax return that would have been due on April 15 yet, but I expect to file it by July 15. What do I need to do?

Q12. What if I am unable to file my 2019 income tax return that would have been due on April 15 by July 15, 2020?

Q13. I already filed my 2019 income tax return that would have been due on April 15 and I owe taxes, but I haven’t paid yet. What do I need to do to avoid interest and penalties?

Q14. I already filed my 2019 income tax return that would have been due on April 15 and scheduled a payment of taxes for April 15, 2020. Will this payment be automatically rescheduled to July 15, 2020?

Q15. Does this relief apply to state tax liabilities?

Q16. The Notice postpones the deadline for first quarter 2020 estimated income tax payments due on April 15, 2020. What about second quarter estimated tax payments due on June 15? Have they been postponed as well?

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and workplace-based retirement plans

Q17. Does this relief provide me more time to contribute money to my IRA for 2019?

Q18. If I owe the 10% additional tax on amounts includible in gross income from a distribution that I took from my IRA or workplace-based retirement plan in 2019, is the due date for paying that additional tax also extended to July 15, 2020 on account of this relief?

Q19. I made excess elective deferrals to my workplace-based retirement plan in 2019. Do I have to take those excess deferrals (and income) out of the retirement plan no later than April 15, 2020, in order to exclude the distributions from income?

Q20. For employers with a federal income tax return due date of April 15, 2020, is the end of the grace period under section 404(a)(6) to make contributions to their qualified retirement plans on account of 2019 also July 15, 2020 as a result of this relief?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)

Q21. Does this relief provide me more time to contribute money to my HSA or Archer MSA for 2019?

Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses

7016234673 — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 20:21:19 GMT

Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses

Maryland has authorized $130 million in loan and grant funding for small businesses and manufacturers that have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This emergency assistance provides interim relief and proceeds that can be used to pay cash operating expenses including payroll, suppliers, rent, fixed debt payments and other mission critical cash operating costs.

If you are a Maryland-based business impacted by the Coronavirus with under 50 full- and part-time employees, or a Maryland manufacturer, check out the programs below to see if you qualify for assistance.

Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund - This $75 million loan fund (for for-profit businesses only) offers no interest or principal payments due for the first 12 months, then converts to a 36-month term loan of principal and interest payments, with an interest rate at 2% per annum. Learn more .
Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund - This $50 million grant program for businesses and non-profits offers grant amounts up to $10,000, not to exceed 3 months of demonstrated cash operating expenses for the first quarter of 2020. Learn more .
Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund - This $5 million incentive program helps Maryland manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) that is urgently needed by hospitals and health-care workers across the country. More details are expected to be announced by Friday, March 27, 2020.

Maryland Businesses can request Sales & Use Tax Refund

7016234673 — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 18:31:59 GMT

Comptroller Franchot: SALES & USE TAX NOT DUE TODAY

Businesses who paid March Sales & Use Tax early may request refund

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 20, 2020) - UPDATED: Businesses who paid their Maryland Sales & Use Taxes for March early may request a refund of their payment by emailing taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov or by calling 410-260-4020. To assist businesses affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, Comptroller Peter Franchot wants to remind business owners that he has extended business-related tax filing deadlines. Sales and Use Tax payments that typically would be due today do not have to be paid until June 1.

The extension applies to certain business returns with due dates during the months of March, April and May 2020 for businesses filing sales and use tax, withholding tax, and admissions & amusement tax, as well as alcohol, tobacco and motor fuel excise taxes, tire recycling fee and bay restoration fee returns.

Business taxpayers who file and pay by the extended due date will receive a waiver of interest and penalties.

"Our state’s top priority is safeguarding public health for Marylanders, but we must also protect the financial health of our economy," said Comptroller Franchot. "This extension will provide much-needed relief to our business owners as they adjust to changes in consumer behavior, tourism trends and employee workforce output."

The Maryland Comptroller’s Office also will offer a 90-day extension of income tax filings & payments from April 15 to July 15, 2020. Comptroller Franchot said both Maryland individual and corporate income taxpayers will be afforded the same relief for state income tax payments. No interest or penalty for late payments will be imposed if 2019 tax payments are made by July 15, 2020.

Fiscal and calendar year filers with tax years ending January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020 are also eligible for the July 15, 2020 payment extension. The due date for March quarterly estimated payments is extended to July 15, 2020.

The agency has set up a dedicated email address — taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov — to assist businesses with extension-related questions. Business owners can also call the Comptroller's Ombudsman at 410-260-4020.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Susan O'Brien - sobrien@marylandtaxes.gov
410-260-7305 (office); 443-875-8540 (mobile)

Alan Brody - abrody@marylandtaxes.gov
410-260-6346 (office); 443-924-1473 (mobile)

Stay connected with the Comptroller of Maryland:

Maryland Deadline Extensions

7016234673 — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 18:30:43 GMT

News Release: Maryland Income Tax Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020

Comptroller of Maryland sent this bulletin at 03/17/2020 07:38 PM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

MEDIA CONTACTS: SUSAN O'BRIEN : MOBILE - 443-875-8540
ALAN BRODY : MOBILE - 443-924-1473

Maryland Income Tax Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020

No interest of penalty for late payment to be imposed if 2019 tax payments made by July 15, 2020

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 17, 2020) - Following today’s press conference from the White House where it was announced there would be a 90-day extension of the April 15th deadline for federal income tax payments, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has announced that Maryland business and individual income taxpayers will be afforded the same relief. No interest or penalty for late payments will be imposed if 2019 tax payments are made by July 15, 2020.

“Right now, Maryland taxpayers and businesses must stay focused on their health and keeping their lights on, both in their homes and businesses,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Extending the due date for Maryland state individual and business income tax payments helps us keep cash flowing in our economy and into employees’ bank accounts.”

Taxpayers who take advantage of the federal extension to file their return, which is separate from the relief granted today to pay their taxes, will continue to be automatically granted an extension on their Maryland tax filings. No additional extension forms are required. Fiscal year filers with tax years ending January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2020, are also eligible for the July 15, 2020 extension.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Susan O'Brien - sobrien@marylandtaxes.gov
443-875-8540 (mobile)

Alan Brody - abrody@marylandtaxes.gov
443-924-1473 (mobile)

Stay connected with the Comptroller of Maryland:

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Expanded Family and Medical Leave Rights

7016234673 — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:18:29 GMT

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Expanded Family and Medical Leave Rights

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

Generally, the Act provides that employees of covered employers are eligible for:

Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of expanded family and medical leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or
Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor; and
Up to an additional 10 weeks of expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

Covered Employers: The expanded family and medical leave provisions of the FFCRA apply to certain public employers, and private employers with fewer than 500 employees. [1] Most employees of the federal government are covered by Title II of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which was not amended by this Act, and are therefore not covered by the expanded family and medical leave provisions of the FFCRA. However, federal employees covered by Title II of the Family and Medical Leave Act are covered by the paid sick leave provision.

Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may qualify for exemption from the requirement to provide leave due to school closings or child care unavailability if the leave requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.

Eligible Employees: All employees of covered employers are eligible for two weeks of expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. Employees employed for at least 30 days are eligible for up to an additional 10 weeks of paid family leave to care for a child under certain circumstances related to COVID-19. [2]

Notice: Where leave is foreseeable, an employee should provide notice of leave to the employer as is practicable. After the first workday of expanded family and medical leave, an employer may require employees to follow reasonable notice procedures in order to continue receiving expanded family and medical leave.

Qualifying Reasons for Leave:

Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for expanded family and medical leave if the employee is unable to work ( or unable to telework ) due to a need for leave because the employee:

is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;
has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;
is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
is caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);
is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19; or
is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury.

Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for expanded family and medical leave if the employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19.

Duration of Leave:

For reasons (1)-(4) and (6): A full-time employee is eligible for 80 hours of leave, and a part-time employee is eligible for the number of hours of leave that the employee works on average over a two-week period.

For reason (5): A full-time employee is eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave (two weeks of paid sick leave followed by up to 10 weeks of paid expanded family & medical leave) at 40 hours a week, and a part-time employee is eligible for leave for the number of hours that the employee is normally scheduled to work over that period.

Calculation of Pay: [3]

For leave reasons (1), (2), or (3): employees taking leave are entitled to pay at either their regular rate or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher, up to $511 per day and $5,110 in the aggregate (over a 2-week period).

For leave reasons (4) or (6): employees taking leave are entitled to pay at 2/3 their regular rate or 2/3 the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher, up to $200 per day and $2,000 in the aggregate (over a 2-week period).

For leave reason (5): employees taking leave are entitled to pay at 2/3 their regular rate or 2/3 the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher, up to $200 per day and $12,000 in the aggregate (over a 12-week period). [4]

[1] Certain provisions may not apply to certain employers with fewer than 50 employees. See Department FFCRA regulations (expected April 2020).

[2] Under the Act, special rules apply for Health Care Providers and Emergency Responders.

[3] Paid sick time provided under this Act does not carryover from one year to the next. Employees are not entitled to reimbursement for unused leave upon termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation from employment.

[4] An employee may elect to substitute any accrued vacation leave, personal leave, or medical or sick leave for the first two weeks of partial paid leave under this section.

Maryland COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund

7016234673 — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:02:41 GMT

COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Labor have launched the new COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which is designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award (up to $50,000 per applicant), will be a quick deployable benefit and customizable to the specific needs of your business to minimize the need for layoffs.

Labor is accepting grant applications from small businesses for awards from now through 30 days after the State of Emergency ends (subject to funding availability).

How can it help me?

✔ Providing funds to cover the cost of purchasing remote access (ex. computers, printers, etc.) equipment to allow employees to work remotely from home versus being laid off;
✔ Providing funds to cover the cost of purchasing software or programs that an employee would need to use from home;
✔ Supporting businesses that take advantage of the Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program by supplementing the employee’s income and benefits;
✔ Providing funds to cover the costs of cleaning/sanitization services so that small businesses are able to keep employees at work on site, but only if a frequent deep cleaning to prevent exposure occurred;
✔ Paying for liability insurance for restaurants that convert to delivery while under emergency circumstances;
✔ Providing funds for training or professional development opportunities for employees to avoid layoffs; and
✔ Adopting other creative approaches and strategies to reduce or eliminate the need for layoffs in the small business community.

Examples of how a business may demonstrate the need for layoff aversion funds:

I run a call center where employees usually work in an office setting. To support social distancing, I’d like my employees to work remotely, which will require equipment such as reliable headphones and laptops for each employee. If they do not have this equipment, I will need to layoff my staff.
I could ask employees to use their personal phones and work remotely, but I do not have the funds to support the cell phone packages. If provided funds to reimburse employees for the increased data usage, my business could avoid layoffs.
My employees could work remotely if they had a specific software or computer application, but I cannot afford to purchase. Without this software, I will need to layoff my workforce until we can go back to the office.
I need my 8 employees to continue to work on site, but I am concerned about their potential exposure to COVID-19 and cannot afford frequent deep cleaning to help limit potential exposure. If I had funds to support the deep cleaning, it would allow my workers to continue to work and would foster a safer work environment.
Due to the impacts of COVID-19, my employees have more down time than usual. If I were able to offer the opportunity for them to take project management training online during this down time, they will increase their skillsets, making them a valuable asset to our company and less likely a candidate for layoff.

Get Started Now!

✔ View the One Pager
✔ COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund Policy
✔ COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund Application (Excel)

Submit your completed application to: LaborCOVID19.layoffaversion@maryland.gov.

Labor staff will process applications within two business days of receipt. Upon approval and receipt of signed contract, payment will be expedited.

For More Information…
Contact the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning .

Maryland COVID-19 help and resources (Maryland Business Express website)

7016234673 — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:01:48 GMT

UPDATE: Governor Hogan announced new COVID-19 business relief programs on March 23. These resources are available through the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor.

The entire state of Maryland has received designation for SBA assistance. Small businesses can apply here .

Maryland’s COVID-19 Business Response

The State of Maryland has taken far-reaching and proactive steps to minimize the impact of COVID-19 across our state, including ordering state employees to telework, closing public schools, closing casinos and racetracks, and activating the National Guard so it is ready to carry out any emergency functions that may be needed. State agencies including the Department of Commerce remain prepared to serve our clients in the business community.

These unprecedented measures may feel extreme or frightening, but they are necessary to slow the spread of the virus and save the lives of Marylanders.

“We are all in this together, and we will only get through this if we work together.” - Governor Larry Hogan

Find a full list of Governor Hogan's executive orders here , and find guidance on business closures here .

View an ongoing list of frequently asked questions here for Maryland businesses planning and responding to the Coronavirus.

Business Closures & Restrictions During COVID-19

Closure of all Entertainment Venues and Enclosed Shopping Malls - This includes bowling alleys, amusement parks, bingo halls, casinos, racetracks, and other venues, and is in addition to the closure of bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and fitness centers that was previously announced. Businesses which provide drive-through, carry-out, and food delivery services may continue to do so. Read about specific closures in the executive order .
Carry-out and Delivery of Alcoholic Beverages - Businesses that serve alcohol are now permitted to provide carry-out and delivery of alcoholic beverages. Read the executive order .
Restricted Gatherings of More than 10 People - Social, community, religious, recreation, and sporting events and gatherings of more than 10 people are now strictly prohibited in all locations and venues in Maryland. This follows updated CDC guidelines. Read more about the restrictions in the executive order .
Businesses Not Mentioned in Executive Orders
- If you are not a business that was specifically mentioned in the executive orders regarding business closures, you are still permitted to operate, but are required to follow health protocols such as social distancing . If you remain open, it is critical that you do everything in your power to prevent groups of 10 or more people from congregating in one area.
- Please use your best judgement and consider the possible impact on your employees and customers if you stay open. Public utility, such as the need to provide food or essential supplies, must be balanced with the need to preserve public health. Find business advice from the CDC .
- The Governor's Office, Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and several state agencies are working to identify these essential goods and services provided across multiple industries. We will update this webpage as we have more information.
Restricted Use of Public Transportation - Public transit such as MARC, Amtrak, Metro, or bus services should be used for essential travel only. Essential travel means taking trips to work, hospitals, health care providers, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, food distribution centers, schools, to provide care for family members, and other similar destinations. By reducing unnecessary travel, transit becomes safer for those who depend on it, especially essential healthcare workers, and for those who operate it. We encourage all employers to consider telework options where possible. Please visit the Maryland Transit Administration for specifics on essential travel and updated route and scheduling information.

Public Health Emergency Protection Act

The Governor signed emergency legislation on March 19, 2020 that includes:

No Fees or Co-pays for COVID-19 Tests - Ensuring that Marylanders will not be charged fees or co-pays for COVID-19 tests.
No Price-Gouging - Prohibits price-gouging for food, fuel, medicine, cleaning products and other essential supplies.
Workers Cannot be Terminated - Guarantees that Marylanders cannot be terminated from their jobs because they have been isolated or quarantined.
Unemployment Benefits - Will allow the Secretary of Labor to extend unemployment benefits to workers who cannot work because they are quarantined, at risk for exposure, or to care for a family member with COVID-19.

Resources for Business

Below are additional resources provided by a number of federal and state government agencies that businesses may find helpful. This list will be updated as the situation develops and as new resources become available.

Financial Assistance & Taxes

The Maryland Department of Commerce is offering three new business assistance programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund - This $75 million loan fund offers no interest or principal payments due for the first 12 months, then converts to a 36-month term loan of principal and interest payments, with an interest rate at 2% per annum. Learn more.
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund - This $50 million grant program offers grant amounts up to $10,000, not to exceed 3 months of demonstrated cash operating expenses for the first quarter of 2020. Learn more.
- Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund - This $5 million incentive program helps Maryland manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) that is urgently needed by hospitals and health-care workers across the country. More information coming by Friday, March 27, 2020.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will provide low-interest loans to companies affected by the outbreak, with President Trump asking Congress to increase funding for the SBA lending program to $50 billion.
Governor Hogan announced on March 19 that the entire state of Maryland has received official designation for SBA assistance. Individual businesses can now apply directly to the SBA for low-interest loans through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Visit SBA's website to apply now.
General SBA guidance for businesses can be found here . If you need additional help navigating the SBA process, Maryland SBDC can help.
Maryland business and individual income taxpayers will be given a 90-day extension for tax payments. No interest or penalty for late payments will be imposed if 2019 tax payments are made by July 15, 2020. See 90-day extension for tax payments for more information, or reach out to taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov with questions.
Comptroller Franchot also extended business-related tax filing deadlines to June 1. Get additional information regarding business tax returns - including sales and use tax, alcohol tax, etc. - and income tax extensions .
Businesses who paid their Maryland Sales & Use Taxes for March early may request a refund of their payment by emailing taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov or by calling 410-260-4020.
Taxpayers who have set up a payment through their own online banking services will need to stop that transaction through their banks. Taxpayers who have scheduled a payment through the Comptroller’s iFIle or bFile can request to have a debit from their account stopped as long as it is at least 3 days prior to the scheduled payment date. If taxpayers have individual requests for assistance, they should contact Taxpayer Services at 410-260-7980 or via email at taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov .
The federal tax filing deadline has been moved to July 15. Learn more .
Maryland banks, credit unions, and financial service providers are operating under precautionary measures, with increased focus on mobile, phone, and online services. If you anticipate having trouble making a loan payment, please notify your lender or loan servicing company as soon as possible to discuss your options. Early and regular communication is important. More information from the Maryland Bankers Association . And, view a list of credit unions operating in Maryland and their contact information .

Employer & Worker Assistance

The Maryland Department of Labor is now accepting applications for the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which can provide funds to help businesses with 500 or fewer employees purchasing remote access equipment and software to allow employees to work from home, provide on-site cleaning and sanitation services or other creative strategies to mitigate potential layoffs or closures. To see details or apply please visit this website . If you have any questions please email LaborCOVID19.layoffaversion@maryland.gov .
The Centers for Disease Control has issued guidance for businesses and employees .
The U.S. Department of Labor has developed some guidelines for how companies can prepare their workplace for COVID-19. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a COVID-19 website with information specifically for workers and employers. There is also information on issues relating to wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act .
The Maryland Department of Labor ’s Division of Labor and Industry enforces the Maryland Health Working Families Act, also known as Safe and Sick Leave, which may be useful for employees who need to take off from work due to COVID-19. Learn more about the Maryland Health Working Families Act here , or email ssl.assistance@maryland.gov .
If a business experiences a temporary or permanent layoff, Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance ’s Bulk Claim Services can open unemployment insurance claims for all affected employees. To determine if a business is eligible, please visit our Bulk Claims Services Frequently Asked Questions page. If a business is eligible, they should contact a Claims Representative by emailing UI.BulkClaim@maryland.gov . For additional information, visit the Department of Labor's COVID-19 FAQ page .
Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning enforces the Rapid Response System , which works collaboratively with the State’s businesses and workers to minimize the impact of economic disruptions caused by layoffs and plant or business operations closing.
Labor’s Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance is available to help Maryland business owners find timely and effective solutions to issues, so they can go about running their companies. They can be contacted by emailing osbra.inquiry@maryland.gov .
The Maryland Insurance Administration has shared insight into Business Interruption Insurance on their website . MIA has also put together an FAQ addressing insurance-related questions about coronavirus .
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to COVID-19.

Licensing & Permitting

According to the Governor’s Executive Order , all licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations issued by the state, its agencies or any political subdivision that would expire during the current state of emergency will be extended until at least the 30th day after the state of emergency is lifted.
Labor’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (O&P) is temporarily extending license expiration dates until May 1, which is subject to being extended as the response to the coronavirus situation evolves. They can be contacted by emailing dlopl-labor@maryland.gov .
Businesses that are licensed and regulated by Labor’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation can email DLFRFinReg-LABOR@maryland.gov with any questions or concerns they may have about licensing requirements.

Educational Information

The Department of Health hosted a webinar featuring information and guidance for businesses about coronavirus and preventing its spread in the workplace here or watch the recording here .

Enforcement

The Maryland State Police is actively engaged in our state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As they work to protect the citizens of Maryland, they will be involved, when needed, in the enforcement of the Governor’s Executive Orders.
The state is hoping for voluntary compliance with business closures. If a need for law enforcement arises, Maryland State Police will take prompt appropriate action, in partnership with state’s attorneys and local law enforcement chiefs and sheriffs across Maryland.
Contact will first be made with the owner or manager of the establishment. If voluntary compliance does not occur, action will be taken. That could result in the issuance of a criminal summons or warrant, or it could result in immediate arrest, depending on the circumstances in the particular situation.
Violation of a Governor’s Executive Order declared during a state of emergency is punishable for a fine of up to $5,000 or one-year in jail or both.

More Information

We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by sending a message to Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov .

We also recommend that everyone regularly visit the Maryland Department of Health for the latest information on coronavirus and the Office of Governor Larry Hogan for updates on the state’s response to the outbreak.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has activated its Virtual Business Operation Center (VBOC) as of March 6 to address inquiries from the private sector. Businesses that are interested in emergency operations engagement can learn more through MEMA's Private Sector Integration Program .

Looking for a way to help? Please visit the new Maryland Unites website to find volunteer and donation opportunities.

The State of Maryland is committed to helping protect the health and well-being of all Marylanders. Thank you for being our partner as we face this challenge together.

SBA (Small Business Administration) Economic Disaster Assistance

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 22:22:21 GMT

SBA Disaster Assistance Available in Maryland

Release Date:

Friday, March 20, 2020

Release Number:

2020-03-04

SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Maryland

For Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

BALTIMORE . – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest federal disaster working capital loans to Maryland small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA acted under authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act recently signed by the President, following a request received from Gov. Larry Hogan March 18, 2020. The disaster declaration makes SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) assistance available in the entire Commonwealth.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist Maryland small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of COVID-19,” said Administrator Carranza. “SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process.”

Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the COVID-19. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses, and 2.75% for private non-profit organizations. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

“Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” said SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Steve Bulger, who oversees SBA programs and services in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington, D.C. “Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and aquaculture enterprises financially impacted as a direct result of COVID-19 since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for an (EIDL) of up to $2M to help meet financial obligations which could have been met had the disaster not occurred. 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.”

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela . Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail) for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing & Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to apply for an EIDL in the state of Maryland is Dec. 21, 2020. For more information about COVID-19, please visit: Coronavirus.gov. For information about SBA resources and services, visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov .

IRS Extends Tax Filing Deadline to July 15

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:20:47 GMT

Americans will have an additional three months to file their taxes amid the coronavirus pandemic, the US treasury secretary said Friday.

We are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15," Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted . "All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties." He said he was acting at President Donald Trump's direction.

The White House had announced previously that it would defer tax payments for 90 days but that Americans would still need to file by April 15.

Now the deadline will be extended into the summer.

Mnuchin said Americans with refunds should still file now.

"I encourage all taxpayers who may have tax refunds to file now to get your money," he wrote.

The administration has been seeking ways to blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which is expected to cause harm to both major industries and small businesses. Economists have predicted a potentially historic spike in unemployment claims.

Lawmakers have been haggling over a massive stimulus package with members of the administration, but Trump has also sought out ways to mitigate economic concerns on his own.

He's already signed a package that would expand paid sick leave for workers to allow them to remain home if they fall ill from the disease.

And he's endorsed a measure that would send checks directly to certain Americans, saying he wanted to "go big" in his attempts to keep the economy afloat.

Earlier in the week, Mnuchin said that individual and small business filers would be able to defer payments of up to $1 million and corporations can defer up to $10 million without incurring interest or penalties.

Usually both the tax filing and payment are due on April 15.

Taxpayers can still request a six-month extension to file returns, like they could in any other year.

The new deadlines announced by the administration apply to federal tax income payments only. It's up to states to set their own deadlines.

Some states are making changes due to the coronavirus. In California, individuals will have until June 15 to both file and pay their state taxes.

IRS Tax Payment Deadline Extension

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 20:45:54 GMT

Payment Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak. The filing deadline for tax returns remains April 15, 2020. The IRS urges taxpayers who are owed a refund to file as quickly as possible. For those who can’t file by the April 15, 2020 deadline, the IRS reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request a six-month extension to file their return.

This payment relief includes:

Individuals: Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due. This payment relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals, and all entities other than C-Corporations, such as trusts or estates. IRS will automatically provide this relief to taxpayers. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this relief.

Corporations: For C Corporations, income tax payment deadlines are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $10 million of their 2019 tax due.

This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.

Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of July 16, 2020. If you file your tax return or request an extension of time to file by April 15, 2020, you will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by July 15.

The IRS reminds individual taxpayers the easiest and fastest way to request a filing extension is to electronically file Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses must file Form 7004.

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. Taxpayers also will need to file income tax returns in 42 states plus the District of Columbia. State filing and payment deadlines vary and are not always the same as the federal filing deadline. The IRS urges taxpayers to check with their state tax agencies for those details. More information is available at https://www.taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies

2019 Maryland Student Loan Debit Relief Credit

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 16:57:37 GMT

The 2019 Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Application Process is now open

Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Process:

1. To be considered for the tax credit, applicants must:

· Complete the application and submit student loan information, including Maryland Income Tax forms, college transcripts, and lender documents

2. The tax credit application process closes each year on September 15th to allow MHEC to process the applications and issue the tax credit awards.

· Notification of tax credit awards are sent to applicants in mid-December.

3. Upon being awarded the tax credit, recipients must:

· Use the credit within two years to pay toward their college loan debt; and

· Submit documentation showing proof of loan payment(s) to MHEC.

This is not a payment that will be sent to you. This is a tax credit on your Maryland Income Taxes.

Who is eligible to receive the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit?

The tax credit will be available to Maryland taxpayers who:

1. Complete and submit an application to the Maryland Higher Education Commission by September 15th, either electronically or through the post office;

2. Maintain Maryland residency for the 2019 tax year;

3. Have incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt; and

4. Have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt remaining when applying for the tax credit.

How does MHEC decide who receives Tax Credits each year?

MHEC follows the statutory law and regulations when prioritizing who will receive tax credits in any year. Section 10-740(D) of the Tax General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland states: “The Commission shall prioritize tax credit recipients and amounts based on qualified taxpayers who: (1) have higher debt burden to income ratios; (2) graduated from an institution of higher education located in the State; (3) did not receive a tax credit in a prior year; and (4) were eligible for in-State tuition.” See also 13B.08.17.05 of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).

How to Apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

Click here to apply

If you have questions, please view the Frequently Asked Questions.pdf for more information.

Proof of Payment to Lender

Upon receiving the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit, each recipient must use the credit within two years to pay down the balance of the student loan debt. Failure to do so will result in recapture of credit back to the State. 

Recipients of the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit have two options for debt repayment:

(1) Make a one-time payment for the amount of your tax credit to the lender, or

(2) Make monthly payments to the lender until the amount of the tax credit is paid

Providing Documentation of Proof of Payment :

A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR PROOF OF PAYMENT.

Upon receiving documentation, a confirmation email will be sent to you.

(1) One-time payment - A copy of transaction log from the lender providing proof that amount was paid to the lender. The names of the borrower and lender must be on the document to be considered valid.

(2) Monthly Payments - A copy of transaction log from the lender providing proof that amount was paid to the lender. The names of the borrower and lender must be on the document to be considered valid.

Email all Proof of Payments to :

studentdebttaxcredit.mhec@maryland.gov .

or mail to:
Maryland Higher Education Commission

Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

6 N. Liberty Street, 10th floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

Are you having problems with your student loan servicer?

If you have a complaint about your student loan servicer and need information on what steps you can take to resolve your concerns, you can contact the Maryland Student Loan Ombudsman at https://www.dllr.state.md.us/finance/consumers/frslombud.shtml

Student loan servicer problems that the Ombudsman can assist with include: failure by the servicer to communicate with a borrower, errors in crediting principal and interest payments, misapplied payments, inaccurate interest rate calculations, billing errors, loan consolidations or modifications errors, and/or inappropriate collection activity or tactics.

Shop Maryland TAX-FREE Week!!!

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 16:37:20 GMT

The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less, per item, are exempt from the state sales tax. The first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free. Accessory items, except for backpacks, are not included. The Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week for 2019 is Sunday, August 11 - Saturday, August 17.

For more information click on:

http://comptroller.marylandtaxes.gov/Public_Services/Agency_Information/Office_of_the_Comptroller/Comptroller_Initiatives/Shop_Maryland_Tax-free_Week/

Shop Maryland College Scholarship - $2,500!

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 16:32:29 GMT

For more information click on:

https://taxes.marylandtaxes.gov/Individual_Taxes/Individual_Tax_Types/Sales_and_Use_Tax/Tax_Information/Shop_Maryland_Programs/Shop_Maryland_Tax-free_Week/

Phony IRS Calls

7016234673 — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:41:51 GMT

Phony IRS Calls increase during tax filing season

The tax filing season is a busy time for taxpayers, but scammers also stay busy. Taxpayers should be aware of several types of tax scams , but phone scams start to increase during the beginning of tax season and then remain active throughout the remainder of the year. Here’s how this scam generally works:

Scammers impersonating the IRS call taxpayers telling them they owe taxes and face arrest if they don’t pay.
The scammer may leave a message asking taxpayers to call back to clear up a tax matter or face arrest.
When taxpayers call back, the scammers often use threatening and hostile language.
The thief demands that the taxpayers pay their tax debts with a gift card, other pre-paid cards or a wire transfer.

Taxpayers who receive these phone calls should:

Hang up the phone immediately.
Report the call to TIGTA using their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or by calling 800-366-4484.
Report the number to phishing@irs.gov ; put “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.

Taxpayers should remember that the IRS does not:

Call taxpayers demanding immediate payment using a specific payment method. Generally, the IRS first mails a bill to the taxpayer.
Threaten to have taxpayers arrested for not paying taxes.
Demand payment without giving taxpayers an opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

IRS YouTube Videos :
Tax Scams – English | Spanish | ASL
Dirty Dozen – English | Spanish | ASL

Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: Phony IRS calls increase during filing season. https://go.usa.gov/xEGa8

Proposal to Extend Tax-filing Deadline 5 weeks

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:09:56 GMT

Proposal to Extend Tax-filing Deadline 5 weeks

By Michael Cohn, AccountingToday.com

A pair of House Democrats has introduced a bill to extend the tax-filing deadline until May 20 to give taxpayers more time to file their taxes after the partial government shutdown, amid lingering uncertainty over the extensive changes in the tax code and tax forms in the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Reps. Sean Casten, D-Ill., and Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., introduced the Taxpayer Extension Act on Wednesday to give taxpayers an extra five weeks to file their individual tax returns for 2018.

They noted that during the 35-day shutdown, the IRS sent close to 90 percent of its workforce home without pay. The Taxpayer Extension Act would provide an extension of the tax return due date for five weeks, from April 15, 2019 to May 20, 2019, for individual income tax returns for 2018, to provide additional time equal to the government shutdown.....

.....They contend that the extra five weeks would help ensure taxpayers have the online tools they need to file their returns electronically. The extension would help to avoid computer systems breakdowns like the one the IRS encountered last April. Last year, they noted, the IRS issued an emergency one-day, penalty-free extension for tax filers after suffering an all-day computer breakdown that kept taxpayers from filing their returns electronically on the day 2017 payments were due. They believe the legislation would help alleviate the extra burden on the IRS’s filing systems.

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation released an analysis Thursday also calling on Congress to consider extending the tax-filing deadline this year. The NTUF pointed to the shaky start to the tax filing season, which began only a few days after the partial government shutdown ended. The group noted that the timing of the shutdown combined with its historic 35-day length left the IRS scrambling to work through a significant backlog of preparations for a busy filing season. Despite the IRS’s efforts, the shutdown left taxpayers and tax practitioners without adequate support to determine legal obligations, as service centers went unstaffed and many forms were not yet finalized.

"The newly-passed TCJA was already poised to shake up tax filing, but the shutdown constituted an earthquake for an agency with an unstable foundation to begin with,” said the study’s authors, Andrew Moylan and Andrew Wilford. “By taking swift and decisive action, Congress and the IRS can help to ease the time crunch that threatens to harm taxpayers and further disrupt IRS operations.”

The study draws from data from the IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate Service. National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson highlighted the lingering effects of the shutdown on the IRS in her annual report to Congress , noting the extent of service disruptions in the IRS’s taxpayer support operations (see Taxpayer Advocate sees continuing impact on IRS from shutdown ). The study also points to lesser-known issues, like interest accruing on certain pending U.S. Tax Court matters, to highlight the need for Congress to work with the IRS to provide for a comprehensive extension of tax filing deadlines.

The NTUF recently also studied the ways the shutdown has had an impact on tax refunds and left taxpayers with misinformation regarding how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has made a difference in tax refunds and tax liability.

Michael Cohn, editor-in-chief of AccountingToday.com

Retroactive Tax Extenders Bill

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 13:15:28 GMT

On Thursday Senators introduce retroactive tax extenders and disaster tax relief bill

From AccountingToday

by Michael Cohn, editor-in-chief of AccountingToday.com

Senate Finance Committee chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and the top Democrat on his committee, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation Thursday to retroactively extend tax provisions that expired at the end of 2017 and 2018 through the rest of 2019 and offer disaster tax relief benefits to people and businesses affected by major disasters that happened last year.

The package contains 26 provisions that expired at the end of 2017 and three more that expired at the end of 2018. They include a number of energy-related tax credits for businesses and some popular tax breaks for individuals, such as the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses, the 7.5 percent floor in adjusted gross income for deducting unreimbursed medical expenses, and the treatment of mortgage interest premiums as qualified residence interest. The tax breaks are perennially extended year after year despite the passage at the end of 2017 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and past efforts by Congress to provide more permanence in the tax code.

“Congress needs to get out of this bad habit of regular retroactive extensions of these tax provisions,” Grassley said in a statement Thursday. “The whole point of these federal tax incentives is to encourage certain behaviors, especially investments in alternative energies, energy efficiency and transportation. The best way to do that is ahead of time, not retroactively. But it’s also the case that many of these industries made business decisions last year based on that reasonable expectation that they would be extended since it’s what Congress has consistently done in the past. I hope the House of Representatives acts soon since taxpayers affected by these expired provisions have to file their tax returns in the coming weeks. Thousands of jobs across the country depend on it.”

Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore. (left), shakes hands with committee chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Zach Gibson/Bloomberg

Last November, Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, who then chaired the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced a wide-ranging package of legislation during the lame-duck session of Congress combining the tax extenders, disaster tax relief, technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, retirement savings provisions, and various reforms to the way the Internal Revenue Service operates (see House GOP releases tax package for lame-duck session ). The package was soon scaled back, and in late December, the House passed a package containing tax breaks for biodiesel fuel and to make some technical corrections to the TCJA (see House passes year-end tax legislation ). But the Senate never took up the bill as Congress became consumed in the partial government shutdown.

The package introduced on Thursday includes various disaster tax relief benefits, such as special rules allowing access to retirement funds, a special credit for employee retention during business interruption, a suspension of limits on deductions for certain charitable contributions, special rules for deductions for disaster-related personal casualty losses, and special rules for measurement of earned income for purposes of qualification for tax credits.

Some of the business tax extenders include tax breaks for biodiesel fuels, biofuel plants, fuel cell motor vehicles, two-wheeled plug-in electric vehicles, motorsports entertainment complexes, race horses, railroad track maintenance, energy efficient commercial buildings, construction of energy-efficient homes, and expensing rules for film, television and live theatrical productions. Many of the provisions benefit specific industries that are important to various lawmakers’ constituencies, and they are often extended on a short-term basis in order to keep the projected costs lower than a 10-year span.

More than 50 trade organizations, including the National Biodiesel Board, the American Trucking Associations and the National Corn Growers Association, among many others, sent a letter Thursday to congressional leaders asking for the expired provisions to be extended through 2019 as soon as possible. “Providing taxpayers with a predictable planning outlook as it pertains to tax rules is conducive to increased private sector investment and economic activity," they said. "Accordingly, we respectfully ask that you act to retroactively extend these expired tax provisions through 2019 on the first appropriate legislative vehicle.”

The short-term extensions contribute to business uncertainty, and they can result in amended tax returns when they are passed in the midst of tax season.

“It’s past time to kick the addiction to short-term tax policies, but until Congress is able to break this cycle for good, taxpayers deserve certainty about what they’ll owe,” Wyden said in a statement. “It’s important this is a two-year bill covering 2019, and it includes key renewable energy incentives I’m proud to fight for. Filing season for 2018 is already underway, so the Congress should act on this quickly.”

Grassley highlighted the importance of the provisions for extending the 7.5 percent floor for the medical expense deduction. “The bill also includes an extension of a proposal adopted last Congress that extends the 7.5 percent floor for itemized deductions of medical expenses,” he said. “Without this provision the floor on deductions will be 10 percent for 2019. This means that without this provision, individuals with chronic illnesses and high medical expenses would have to pay more for health care before they can deduct the expenses on their 2019 tax returns.”

He rejected the idea of using the House’s rules for offsetting the cost of extending the tax breaks with revenue-raising provisions, despite the growing budget deficit in the wake of the 2017 tax cut law. “The House has its pay-as-you-go, or PAYGO, rule,” said Grassley. “I have a long record of promoting budget responsibility, and I am as concerned about the deficit and debt as much as anyone. However, we also have bipartisan precedent for treating the extension of temporary tax policy like we treat the extension of annual spending policy. In neither case do we offset such extensions.”

Michael Cohn, editor-in-chief of AccountingToday.com, has been covering business and technology for a variety of publications since 1985.

Small Business Tax Credit

7016234673 — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 16:47:31 GMT

Small Business Relief Tax Credit

The Small Business Relief Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit available to small businesses that provide their employees with paid sick and safe leave.

BENEFITS

Small businesses may claim a refundable tax credit for the accrued paid sick and safe leave for each employee earning paid sick and safe leave up to $500 per employee, or $7,000 per small business.

ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for the tax credit, a small business must employ 14 or fewer employees whose primary work location is in Maryland, and provide its employees with paid sick and safe leave in accordance with the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, employees earn 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, and sick and safe leave is paid at the same rate as an employee's normal hourly wages.

APPLY

The Department of Commerce will begin accepting applications for the Small Business Relief Tax Credit on January 3, 2019. Small businesses applying for the tax credit must submit an application along with copies of employee(s) W-2 or pay stubs, and statement of accrued paid sick and safe leave provided to employee(s), for each employee for whom the tax credit is being claimed.
Commerce will certify or deny an application within 45 days after the receipt of a complete application.

Application

Small Business Relief Tax Credit Application Form

CLAIM TAX CREDIT

After receiving the tax credit certification from Commerce, the employer must file a tax return with the Comptroller of Maryland for the taxable year in which the certification was issued using Maryland Tax Form 500CR. Maryland Tax Form 500CR must be filed electronically with an attached copy of the certification from Commerce. Please note that the credit can be taken against the State income tax ONLY. It is not taken against the county income tax "add-on". For more information regarding the tax forms and tax return instructions, please visit the Comptroller of Maryland website.

If the employer needs tax information or guidance beyond the scope of the information which is required to apply for the Small Business Relief Tax Credit program, please contact the Comptroller of Maryland . Commerce cannot dispense tax advice.

RESOURCES

CONTACT

For more information about the Small Business Relief Tax Credit contact:

Abigail McKnight , Tax Specialist, Tax Incentives
Maryland Department of Commerce, Office of Finance Programs
410-767-7234

Mark A. Vulcan , Program Manager, Tax Incentives
Maryland Department of Commerce, Office of Finance Programs
410-767-6438

New Office Location!

7016234673 — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:44:15 GMT

We Moved Our Office to 724 Potomac Ave!

We Have a New Office Location at 724 Potomac Ave, Hagerstown, Md.

Our newly remodeled, larger office space is next door to the Northside Clockshop (just like our old office-but on the other side of the clock shop now!)

Come visit or call us at (301) 714-2047.

2018 Tax Credit - Student Loan Debt Relief from the Maryland Higher Education Commission

7016234673 — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 18:52:48 GMT

Information on the 2018 Tax Credit (filed in 2019) from the Maryland Higher Education Commission

Who is eligible to receive the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit?

The tax credit will be available to Maryland taxpayers who:

1. File Maryland State Income Taxes for the tax year;

2. Have incurred at least $20,000 undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt;

3. Have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt remaining when applying for the tax credit;

4. Have completed and submitted an application to the Maryland Higher Education Commission by September 15, 2018; and

5. Have submitted all required graduate and/or undergraduate student loan information, including Maryland Income Tax Information and college transcripts.

How to Apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

To download the application, or Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Application 2018.pdf

If you have questions, please view the Frequently Asked Questions 2018.pdf for more information.

*Please be reminded that this is not a check, but rather a tax credit on your 2018 Maryland Taxes.

Proof of Payment to Lender

Upon receiving the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit for 2018, each recipient must use the credit within two years to pay down the balance of the student loan debt. Failure to do so will result in recapture of credit back by the State. 

Recipients of the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit have two option for debt repayment:

(1) Make a one-time payment for the amount of your tax credit to the lender, or

(2) Make monthly payments to the lender until the amount of the tax credit is paid to the lender

Providing Documentation of Proof of Payment :

(1) One-time payment - A copy of transaction log from the lender providing proof that amount was paid to the lender

(2) Monthly Payments - A copy of transaction log from the lender showing monthly payments totaling the amount of the credit

Mail All Proof of Payments to :

Maryland Higher Education Commission

Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

6 N. Liberty Street, 10th floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

PLEASE PROVIDE A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH PROOF OF PAYMENT. Upon receiving documentation, a confirmation email will be sent.

For more information, call Mr. Thomas Mason at 410-767-7266 or Mr. Anthony Reiner 410-767-3087.

Maryland Tax Free Week

7016234673 — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 19:18:48 GMT

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week (see www.marylandtaxes.com for more info)

The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less, per item, are exempt from the state sales tax. Beginning in 2017, the first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free. Accessory items, except for backpacks, are not included. The Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week for 2018 is Sunday, August 12 - Saturday, August 18.

Additionally, there is a tax-free three-day weekend every February during which the state sales tax will not apply to the sale of any Energy Star Product listed below, or solar water heater. The Shop Maryland Energy Tax-Free weekend for 2018 is February 17 - 19.

Energy Star Product means an air conditioner, clothes washer or dryer, furnace, heat pump, standard size refrigerator, compact fluorescent light bulb, dehumidifier, or programmable thermostat that has been designated as meeting or exceeding the applicable Energy Star Efficiency requirements developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Shop Maryland Resources

For more information:
Call (800) MD-TAXES or (410) 260-7980 from central Maryland, or e-mail shopmaryland@comp.state.md.us.

Links for Shop Maryland Tax-free Week

Individual Tax Types

Sales and Use Tax

Tax Information

Shop Maryland Programs

Shop Maryland Tax-free Week

Sellers Privilege

Head Start's 53rd Birthday!

7016234673 — Thu, 17 May 2018 18:52:18 GMT

Head Start's 53rd Birthday!

Help ensure the voices of the Head Start community are heard throughout Congress, in the White House, and in your state capital! In honor of #HeadStart’s founding in 1965, contribute $19.65 to the #DollarPerChild campaign to help the National Head Start Association advocate on their behalf. Every little bit helps! http://bit.ly/DPC53

Get Help Paying for College - Deadlines to Apply for Student Aid

7016234673 — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 17:41:37 GMT

To apply for federal student aid , you need to complete the FAFSA® form at https://fafsa.ed.gov

Completing and submitting the FAFSA® form is free and quick, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. The following is from StudentAid.gov https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa

When do I fill out the FAFSA® form?

The 2017–18 FAFSA form has been available since Oct. 1, 2016, and the 2018–19 FAFSA form will be available on Oct. 1, 2017.

There are different FAFSA deadlines for different programs:

Aid Program	Deadline Information
Federal Student aid	For the 2017–18 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018. For the 2018–19 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019. However, there are a few federal student aid programs that have limited funds, so be sure to apply as soon as you can once the FAFSA form is available for the year you’ll be attending school.
State student aid	You can find state deadlines at fafsa.gov (see below for local states) or on the PDF FAFSA form . Note that several states have financial aid programs with limited funds and therefore have a deadline of "as soon as possible (after the FAFSA form becomes available)."
College or career school aid	Check the school’s website or contact its financial aid office . School deadlines are usually early in the year (often in February or March, although some are even earlier now that the FAFSA form is available in October).
Other financial aid	Some programs other than government or school aid require that you file the FAFSA form. For instance, you can’t get certain private scholarships unless you’re eligible for a Federal Pell Grant—and you can’t find out whether you’re eligible for a Pell Grant unless you file a FAFSA form. If the private scholarship’s application deadline is in early to mid-January, you’ll need to submit your FAFSA form before that deadline.

As you can see, it’s a good idea to file the FAFSA form as soon as it’s available so you don’t miss out on anything.

You have to fill out the FAFSA® form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.

2018-2019 Federal Deadline - Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2019. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 14, 2019.

2018-2019 Local state deadlines:

Maryland - March 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time.

Pennsylvania - All first-time applicants enrolled in a: community college; business/trade/technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania Open – Admission institution; or non-transferable two-year program - August 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time.
All other applicants – May 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. Additional forms may be required.

West Virginia - PROMISE Scholarship – March 1, 2018. New applicants must submit additional application at www.cfwv.com . Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. WV Higher Education Grant Program - April 15, 2018.

Student Loan Debt Relief

7016234673 — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 16:19:22 GMT

You might qualify under Maryland College Affordability Act of 2016, applicable to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.

Below are the criteria established to qualify for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit. See the excerpt below from the MHEC (Maryland Higher Education Commission) website at www.mhec.state.md.us .

Have you incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate student loan debt and have at least $5,000 in outstanding undergraduate student loan debt remaining?

You may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $5,000 on your 2017 personal income tax! Listen to MHEC's NEW podcast episode to learn about new initiative.

In order to apply, you must

Complete and submit an application to the Maryland Higher Education Commission by September 15th each year;
Be a resident of Maryland for the tax year;
Incurred at least $20,000 in total undergraduate student loan debt; and
Have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt during the tax year for which you are applying.

For example, if you would like to apply the tax credit for 2017, you must complete and submit the application on or before September 15, 2017.

This tax credit must be used to pay down undergraduate student loan balances within two years of receiving the credit.

To apply, download the application below. You must complete and mail the application with the supplementary documentation to the Maryland Higher Education Commission at 6 N Liberty Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 10th Floor.

Due to the confidential information in the completed application package, p lease do not send any application materials via email .

MHEC will certify all eligible Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit recipients by December 15, 2017.

Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Application.docx

Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Application.pdf