Epidemic Order Extended; Additional Activities Permitted
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has extended the state’s Epidemic Order to Sunday, 1/31/21. Under the new order that goes into effect Saturday, 1/16/21, indoor group exercise and non-contact sports will now be permitted.
The order continues to prohibit in-person work that can be performed remotely and limit indoor residential gatherings to 10 people from two households. While restaurants and bars remain closed for indoor dining, the Governor indicated a hope to reopen indoor dining with capacity limits and a curfew starting Monday, 2/1/21.
Additional details are expected next week and are subject to improving trends in three indicators: the number of COVID-19 cases in the state, the percent of COVID-19 hospital beds available and the positive test rate.
January 13 – Gathering and Face Mask Order
MMA’s Government Affairs team is available to assist manufacturers with questions about COVID-19 orders and emergency rules. Contact MMA’s Dave Worthams at 517-487-8511 or worthams@mimfg.org.
Some Paid Leave Tax Credits Extended Through March
Under federal legislation signed into law in December, employers may be eligible for tax credits for paid leave benefits through the first quarter of 2021.
While the federally mandated paid leave and associated tax credits under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) expired at the end of 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 permits federal tax credits for employers who continue similar paid leave benefits paid to employees through 3/31/21.
It should be noted that the federal law does not impact the requirements of Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act.
New & Notable
Webinar: PPP Round 2 —
What You Need to Know
Host: Butzel Long
(MMA Premium Associate Member)
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.
Register online.
A new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding was signed into law in late 2020. Tune in with MMA and the experienced and trusted team at Butzel Long to learn the key provisions of the new law and explore the interplay with prior law and regulations related to PPP loans.
Background: On 12/27/20, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which included several provisions related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) first established under the CARES Act and the amendatory Flexibility Act. Among the numerous provisions of this comprehensive bill was creation of the “COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020,” which made several changes to the PPP structure and the “Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act,” which established a much-needed second round of PPP funding.
Webinar: Do You Qualify for the
Employee Retention Tax Credit?
Host: Maner Costerisan
(MMA Premium Associate Member)
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.
Register online.
The federal Coronavirus Relief Bill signed into law in December extended and expanded the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit initially created under the CARES Act to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. Perhaps most importantly, the new law clarifies that businesses will now be able to take both the Employee Retention Tax Credit as well as participate in the Payroll Protection Program (PPP).
Join MMA and Dennis Theis and Matthew Latham, principals with the manufacturing-focused business advisory and public accounting firm of Maner Costerisan, for a free, time-sensitive briefing to learn how you can take advantage of this new opportunity.
Resources for Manufacturers
Stay updated and compliant with the many changes imposed over the last few weeks. Find state, federal and member resources on MMA’s COVID-19 Resources.