COVID – 19 Relief Status Update 04.06.20

‘Phase 4’ stimulus wish lists floated

https://newsletters.usdbriefs.com/2020/Tax/TNV/200403_2.html?elqTrackId=6e9dc0831e234fbb852445add1ad3b21&elq=f288114b18834cf9b76e2880f0d7df36&elqaid=69563&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=13246

Two-year suspension of SALT deduction cap clears House
https://newsletters.usdbriefs.com/2019/Tax/TNV/191220_1.html

Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order Providing Relief to California Small Businesses https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/30/governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-providing-relief-to-california-small-businesses/

“Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, the AICPA’s executive vice president of firm services, added, “Based upon statements from members of Congress, it appears that the intent of the PPP was to base the salary calculation on gross wages with no adjustment for federal taxes. This ensures that payroll tax expenses are not passed on to the small businesses in need. In a program of this magnitude, it’s expected that guidance will evolve and terms will be clarified.”
https://www.aicpa.org/content/aicpa/press/pressreleases/2020/aicpa-coalition-recommends-ppp-applicants-use-gross-payroll-approach-in-calculations.html?j=269729&sfmc_sub=124900764&l=2078_HTML&u=8847730&mid=7306387&jb=612&utm_medium=email&SubscriberID=124900764&utm_source=NewsUp_A20Mar225&Site=aicpa&LinkID=8847730&utm_campaign=Newsupdate&cid=email:NewsUp_A20Mar225:Newsupdate:o+discuss+the+appropriate+method+for+calculating+Average+Monthly+Salary:aicpa&SendID=269729&utm_content=Special

Dave Ramsey, well-known author and radio financial advisor https://www.daveramsey.com/ (whom I am not endorsing, but I like his “no debt” approach) had a very strong message to listeners:
Paraphrasing: “Don’t take these loans. Don’t believe the government. They will change the rules later.” That seems harsh, but I wanted to pass that thought along.

April 5, 2020: Excellent Forbes article about the confusion in computing the amount of PPP loans:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2020/04/05/paycheck-protection-program-loans-three-things-the-sba-and-banks-need-to-agree-on-now/