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IRS Re-Affirms PPP Expenses are Not Tax Deductible

Posted on November 19, 2020 by and

Through the release of a Revenue Ruling and a Revenue Procedure, the IRS re-affirmed its stance that taxpayers may not deduct payments for otherwise deductible business expenses (i.e., payroll, rent, covered utility payments, etc.) if those payments are made using Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and the company “reasonably expects” to have their PPP loan […]

Evers Issues New COVID-19 Order for Wisconsin

Posted on November 11, 2020 by

Last night, after his primetime address, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #94 which advises residents to stay home and take precautions if they have to leave their home.  It also encourages businesses to take additional steps to protect workers, customers, and the surrounding community. While the document is entitled as an “Order” there is no […]

What Kinds of Citations has OSHA Been Issuing During the Pandemic?

Posted on November 10, 2020 by

OSHA’s enforcement activity has been accelerating as the number of COVID-19 cases has increased.  Now OSHA has issued a guidance designed to give employers an understanding of the most commonly cited violations arising from OSHA COVID-19-related inspections.  They are: Not providing a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested for or uses a respirator. Not […]

OSHA Issues New Guidance on Respiratory Protection in Long-Term Care Facilities

Posted on November 9, 2020 by

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a respiratory protection guidance for nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities (LTCF) during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This guidance recommends that everyone use “source control measures” at all times while in an LTCF, even if the wearer does not have symptoms of the virus.  […]

2021 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2021 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on October 26, 2020 by

On October 26, 2020 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. Some of the limits shown below have increased from last year while others remained unchanged.   Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2020 – $19,500 2021 – $19,500 $200,000 compensation limit […]

Too Close for Comfort – CDC and DHS Clarify “Close Contact” for Quarantine Purposes

Posted on October 22, 2020 by and

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have updated the definition of “close contact” for quarantine purposes. Previous guidance provided that close contact meant spending a solid 15-minute period of time within six feet from someone infected with COVID-19. On Wednesday, October 21, 2020 the CDC […]

Treasury and Small Business Administration Make $50,000 and Under PPP Loans Easy to Forgive

Posted on October 9, 2020 by and

Today by Interim Rule the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration jointly made it much easier for some Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan borrowers to get forgiveness for their loans.  If the PPP loan amount is $50,000 or less, the borrower can get full forgiveness to the extent that the loan proceeds were used for […]

Wisconsin Employers Must Notify Workers of Unemployment Insurance Upon Separation

Posted on October 8, 2020 by

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development adopted an emergency rule to create DWD 120.02 which was approved by Governor Evers on September 23, 2020. As of November 2, 2020, Wisconsin employers will be required to notify workers of the availability of unemployment insurance upon separation of employment. The notification can be accomplished through one of […]

The Latest From OSHA on When Employers Need to Report COVID-19 Cases

Posted on October 7, 2020 by

With ever-increasing cases of COVID-19 affecting Wisconsin and U.S. workplaces, many employers have been left confused as to whether, when, and how they are supposed to report those cases to OSHA.  OSHA itself has issued differing guidance since the pandemic began.  It has now, however, come out with some new clarification on those questions. As […]

Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services Limits Public Gatherings effective October 8th at 8:00 a.m.

Posted on October 6, 2020 by

Today Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services issued Emergency Order No. 3 limiting public gatherings.  As written, the Order is effective until November 6.  The order limits “public gatherings” to no more than 25% of the total occupancy limits for a room or building established by the local municipality. “Public gathering” means an “indoor event, convening […]