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Updates for Massachusetts Small Businesses
NFIB in Massachusetts receives regular updates related to COVID-19 from state officials and will do our best to continue to communicate that information to you as quickly as possible.
Here are some important updates from the past week related to:
- Available loans
- Hospitality and restaurant postponed tax collections
- Unemployment benefits
- Childcare operations
- Licensing
- Health Connector
- Bottle Redemption
Please do not hesitate to reach out to NFIB’s State Director Christopher Carlozzi at Christopher.Carlozzi@NFIB.ORG.
Available Loans
While we know many of you are experiencing an immediate cash flow issue, loans are being offered by both the state of Massachusetts and the SBA.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Loans for those experiencing hardships due to COVID-19 of up to $2 million with rates capped at 3.75%. Learn more: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Massachusetts Growth Capital Fund Loans
Loans for smaller businesses with fewer than 50 workers up to $75,000 with rates of 3% and no payments due for 6 months. Learn more: https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/what-we-offer/emergency-loan-funds/covid-19-loan-fund.
Sales, Meals, and Room Occupancy Tax Extension
Tax collections of regular sales, meals, and room occupancy taxes that were due in March, April, and May will instead be due on June 20th. Keep in mind, this is for businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020, and businesses that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020.
(7) Sales tax filing and payment schedule for certain vendors during COVID-19 State of Emergency Notwithstanding 830 CMR 62C.16.2(3)-(6), with respect to sales by vendors whose cumulative liability in the 12-month period ending February 29, 2020 for returns required to be filed under M.G.L. c. 62C, § 16(h) is less than $150,000, the sales and use tax filing and payment schedule during the COVID-19 State of Emergency declared by the Governor shall be as follows. Returns and payments due during the period beginning March 20, 2020 and ending May 31, 2020, inclusive, shall be suspended. All such returns and payments shall be due on June 20, 2020. This suspension does not apply to marijuana retailers as defined in M.G.L. c. 94G, § 1, marketplace facilitators or vendors selling motor vehicles. Such vendors shall continue to file returns and make payments in accordance with the rules set forth in 830 CMR 62C.16.2(3)-(6).
Unemployment Benefits
The House and Senate passed, and Governor Baker signed House Bill No. 2599 waiving the one week waiting period for unemployment benefits for those impacted by COVID-19. Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-unemployment-and-coronavirus-covid-19.
Childcare Operations
The Baker administration issued an Executive Order closing all early education and childcare providers to close as of Monday, March 23rd. Orders for Exempt Emergency Child Care programs were also included to provide care for children of emergency personnel, medical staff, and others fighting the COVID-19. Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-18-2020-early-education-and-care-order/download.
Licensing
An emergency order was issued by the Governor to make certain licensed professionals do not have their licenses or registrations lapse. Occupational or professional licenses that are in good standing and up for renewal during the COVID-19 emergency shall be extended for 90 days after the end of the public health emergency. Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-18-2020-extension-of-professional-licensure-order/download.
Health Connector
The Health Connector has created an extended enrollment period for anyone lacking health insurance coverage. To enroll visit: www.mahealthconnector.org.
The Department of Insurance also created a special enrollment period for anyone who wishes to shop for individual coverage in the off-Exchange individual market. Both special enrollment periods will run through April 25.
Loss of employment-based coverage is a qualifying event to get into coverage through the Health Connector. An individual losing job-based coverage has 60 days before or after loss of that coverage to get into coverage through the Health Connector. People must apply by the 23rd of the month in order to secure coverage for the first of the following month.
Bottle Redemption
The Attorney General and Department of Environmental Protection suspended the requirements for retail stores to accept beverage containers for the time being. Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-to-temporarily-suspend-bottle-redemption-enforcement.
