Tax Return Deadline Extended to May 17
The IRS has extended the federal income tax filing due date for individuals from April 15 to May 17. To accommodate the new deadline, we will accept returns until Thursday, April 15th. If we receive your paperwork AFTER April 15, we will file an extension for you. To help you prepare your files, please download a copy of our 2020 Personal Tax Preparation Checklist.
Note that the deadline for estimated tax payments has NOT changed. First quarter payments are still due on April 15.
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, allocates help to struggling small businesses — especially restaurants — through grants, additional aid, and an expansion of existing credits such as the Employee Retention Tax Credit.
New Restaurant Revitalization Fund Provides Grants
The new law creates a $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant program. Hard-hit restaurants and bars can apply for grants up to $10 million based on lost gross revenue between 2019 and 2020. The vast majority of restaurants and bars will be able to apply for these grants, including those considered: “restaurant, food stand, food truck, food cart, caterer, saloon, inn, tavern, bar, lounge, brewpub, tasting room, taproom, licensed facility or premise of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products.” Those not eligible for the grants include state- or local-government-owned entities, or owners with more than 20 restaurants, though most franchise operators will be eligible.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will administer and disperse the RRF grants, but the program does not yet have a launch date. In the meantime, if you are a restaurant owner, you should register for the program using the System of Award Management (SAM) here. Also, work with us to prepare relevant paperwork that shows your gross revenue loss in 2020 as compared to 2019.
Employee Retention Tax Credit Extended
In the December 2020 coronavirus relief bill, Congress expanded the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) to help struggling small businesses for the first two quarters of 2021. The American Rescue Act further helps those same businesses by extending the ERTC for the third and fourth quarters of 2021. The ERTC provides up to $7,000 per employee per quarter for four quarters to help you keep your employees on the payroll.
PPP Deadline Extended to May 31
The Paycheck Protection Program application deadline was just extended, thanks to the passage of the PPP Extension Act. The application deadline is now May 31, 2021, extending the filing deadline for PPP applications by 60 days. It also provides an additional 30 days for the SBA to finish processing applications received by May 31.
If you have any questions about the new coronavirus relief law or other tax questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!
Key Due Dates
April 1: Fannin County business property tax report
April 1: Georgia Secretary of State business registration
April 15: Deadline to get your tax return files to us to avoid an extension
April 15: First quarter estimated tax payment
April 30: First quarter payroll tax report
May 17: Individual tax return
Where’s My Refund?
If you are expecting a refund and haven’t received it yet, you can use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check the status. Just go to the IRS website or click here to begin. You can start checking your refund status within 24 hours after the IRS receives your e-filed return.