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U.S. Treasury Secretary Announces Some Relief for Taxpayers Due to Coronavirus

Client Alert

In an unprecedented move, U.S. Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, has announced some limited relief for taxpayers in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

What It Is

The relief provides some individuals and corporations an extension of time for the payment of their 2019 taxes. An individual who owes up to $1 Million and a corporation that owes up to $10 Million may have an additional 90 days to pay their 2019 taxes without incurring any interest or penalty for late payment. The relief is automatic says Mnuchin, requiring only that you file your tax return.

What It Is Not

This is not an extension of time to file your tax return. Individuals and C corporations must file their return or file for an extension by the April 15, 2020 filing deadline.

What We Don’t Know

The one thing that was not commented on is if there will be an extension of the due date for the first quarter estimated tax payment. Typically, individuals who are required to make estimated payments must make their first payment by April 15. Hopefully, guidance on this will be issued in the coming days.

State of Ohio

At this time, the State of Ohio has not issued any statement about extending either the due date or payment date for Ohio income taxes. The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants has written a letter to the governor requesting that an extension be put in place and we are currently awaiting a response.

This information is all based on the press conference at which Mnuchin spoke today. No formal guidance or announcements have come from the IRS at this time. We will continue to update you on any changes as guidance becomes available.


Latest Batch of Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board Rules: What Providers Should Know

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board recently released several new rules and proposed amendments to existing rules over the past few months. A hearing for the new rules was held on February 16, 2024, but the Board has not yet finalized them.

Now in Effect: DOL Final Rule on Classification of Independent Contractors

Effective March 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has adopted a new standard for the classification of employees versus independent contractors — a much anticipated update since the DOL issued its Final Rule on January 9, 2024, as previously discussed by BMD.  In brief, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) creates significant protections for workers related to minimum wage, overtime pay, and record-keeping requirements. That said, such protection only exists for employees. This can incentivize entities to classify workers as independent contractors; however, misclassification is risky and can be costly.

Florida's Recent Ruling on Arbitration Clauses

Florida’s recent ruling on arbitration clauses provides a crucial distinction in determining whether such clauses are void as against public policy and providers may have the opportunity to include arbitration clauses in their patient consent forms. On March 6, 2024, Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeals reversed and remanded Florida’s Fifteenth Circuit Court ruling of Piero Palacios v. Sharnice Lawson. The Court of Appeals ruled that the parties’ arbitration agreement did not contradict the Legislature’s intent of Florida’s Medical Malpractice Act (the “MMA”), but rather reflects the parties’ choice to arbitrate claims entirely outside of the MMA’s framework. Therefore, the Court found that the agreement was not void as against public policy.

Corporate Transparency Act Update 3/14/24

On March 1, 2024, a federal district court in the Northern District of Alabama concluded that the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) exceeded Congressional powers and enjoined the Department of the Treasury from enforcing the CTA against the plaintiffs. National Small Business United v. Yellen, No. 5:22-cv-01448 (N.D. Ala.). On March 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the district court’s decision to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Ohio State University Launches Its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

In response to Ohio’s nursing shortage, The Ohio State University College of Nursing is accepting applications for its new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (aBSN). Created for students with a bachelor’s degree in non-nursing fields, the aBSN allows such students to obtain their nursing degree within 18 months. All aBSN students will participate in high-quality coursework and gain valuable clinical experience. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the State Board, National Council of Licensure Exam for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).