Message from ABI President Mike Ralston
I've spoken to hundreds of ABI members about coronavirus by phone and email the past month, and there's a common theme to our conversations. You want to know:
"How are other members dealing with this?"
"How can I help my employees and my business?"
"How can I assist others?"
The answers to those questions are the focus of today's newsletter. If you have additional questions, please hit reply. Our team will provide answers or connect you with the right subject matter expert. Thank you for allowing us to serve you during this challenging time.
"How are other members dealing with this?"
In addition, BrownWinick recorded a webinar, "COVID-19 and the Impact on Iowa Business: Guidance for Employers." I was pleased to be part of it, and I shared what I've heard from ABI members and how they're stepping up to help the state. Watch the
webinar recording
.
"How can I help my employees and my business?"
A list of helpful national, Iowa and ABI member-created resources is updated daily on our
coronavirus webpage
.
In addition, webinars hosted by ABI members and partners are some of the best sources of information to help you with the coronavirus-related challenges your business is facing.
Thursday:
Friday:
Daily:
"How can I assist others?"
The Iowa Governor's office is seeking donations of PPE (personal protective equipment)--especially N95 masks, gloves and gowns. There is a great need for these items for healthcare providers in Iowa and other states. To donate, contact your county emergency management agency. You can find a list of counties and coordinator contacts
here
.
If you do donate, for ABI tracking purposes, please also send an email to
abi@iowaabi.org
with:
- Your name
- Your company
- What you donated
- Which county emergency management agency you contacted
Thank you to those of you who have already contributed. You're a shining example for our state.
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Federal Spotlight: Senate Passes Historic Phase III Coronavirus Relief Package
Late Wednesday night, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the largest emergency stimulus package in the history of the country as the U.S. economy grapples with the effects of the coronavirus.
H.R. 748
, known as the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, provides roughly $2 trillion in aid to small businesses, larger industries, the healthcare sector and workers. The 880-page bill does a number of things including:
- Gives the Treasury $500 billion to provide loans and loan guarantees to companies
- Authorizes $350 billion for small business loans through the Small Business Administration. These loans can be forgiven under certain circumstances.
- Direct payments of $1,200 to individuals and $2,400 to married couples whose income is $75,000 and $150,000. The payments phase out between $75,000-$99,000 for individuals and $150,000-$198,000 for joint filers.
- Creates an employee retention tax credit that provides a new, temporary refundable payroll tax credit for companies affected by the coronavirus
- Increases unemployment benefits by $600 a week for four months. This is in addition to what individuals would receive from the state.
There are a number of other important provisions, which you can read about thanks to our partners at the
National Association of Manufacturers
and the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
. The House is expected to take up the measure on Friday and pass it by voice vote. President Trump has said he will sign the legislation immediately.
Governor Continues to Lead; Secures Orders Helping Small Businesses Affected By COVID-19
Gov. Reynolds and her team have been listening to and responding to the needs of the business community as she has enacted a number of public policy measures aimed at alleviating the burden many are facing right now. She has also successfully petitioned the Trump administration and federal agencies for declarations necessary to facilitate financial assistance. Below are just some of the directives and measures taken and enacted.
Legislative Update Call is Tomorrow
The public policy team will hold a teleconference call for ABI members only tomorrow at 8 a.m. We’ll discuss actions taken by the legislature right before they suspended session, the latest happening at the federal level in regards to COVID-19, what we’re forecasting moving forward and more. You’ll want to join us to ask questions and learn the latest. Please contact
Michelle Vollstedt
for the call-in information.
DOR Extends Income Tax and Other Tax Types Filing and Payment Deadline
Iowa Department of Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen signed an
order
that will extend filing and payment deadlines for income, franchise and moneys and credits taxes with a due date on or after March 19 and before July 31, to a new deadline of July 31. The order includes the following:
- IA 1040 Individual Income Tax Return and all supporting forms and schedules
- IA 1040C Composite Return and all supporting forms and schedules
- IA 1041 Fiduciary Return and all supporting forms and schedules
- IA 1120 Corporation Income Tax Return and all supporting forms and schedules
- IA 1120F Franchise Tax Return for Financial Institutions and all supporting forms and schedules
- IA 1065 Iowa Partnership Return and all supporting forms and schedules
- IA 1120S S Corporation Return and all supporting forms and schedules
- Credit Union Moneys and Credits Tax Confidential Report
You can find more information
here
, and if you have any questions, please email the department at
idr@iowa.gov
or call the taxpayer services phone line at 515-281-3114 or 1-800-367-3388.
SOS Expands Absentee Ballot Voting Period
On Monday, Secretary of State Paul Pate announced he was extending the absentee voting period to 40 days for those who decide to vote by mail in the June primary. The extension comes as state officials are grappling with the effects of the coronavirus and as they try to provide voters with a sense of safety as they express their right to cast their ballot. The absentee voting period for mailed ballots for the primary will start on April 23. You can
request an absentee ballot
from your county auditor now.
Air Quality Public Hearing Format Changed
The public hearing that has been scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 1 p.m. concerning a proposed update to air quality rules has been moved to a teleconference call format. The Notice of Intended Action was put forward on March 11 as
ARC4961C
. Additional information is available
here
. To participate and provide feedback, please call 1-866-685-1580 at 1 p.m. on April 13. You will then enter the conference code 515-242-5296#. Written comments may be submitted to DNR until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13. Questions may be directed to
Christine Paulson
.
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Here's a quick snapshot of what's going on at ABI:
- All ABI events for March and April are canceled.
- Most staff members have been asked to work from home. Regardless of where we're working from, we stand ready to serve you.
- Please contact any of our staff with questions or requests for assistance. See the staff directory.
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Uncover Tax Savings on Your Construction Project with a Cost Segregation Study
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Adam Reisch, CPA, CFP®, CCA, CGMA
Partner
Honkamp Krueger & Co., P.C.
It’s building season, and as you’re paying attention to project costs on your next commercial build or remodel, a cost segregation study is more beneficial than ever due to changes in bonus depreciation set in place by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
A cost segregation study is an IRS-approved study that seeks to separate your personal property asset cost from the true building cost, allowing depreciation during a shorter lifespan. The benefits have skyrocketed under the act. Commercial property owners can realize an increase in bonus depreciation from 50% to 100% for assets placed in service from Sept. 27, 2017, to Jan. 1, 2023, on their next tax bill, making now the perfect time for a cost segregation study.
Read more
.
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ProCircular Offers Free Cybersecurity Scans to Critical Infrastructure
In support of efforts to curb cybersecurity-related issues related to the spread of COVID-19, ProCircular is offering a free vulnerability check for the networks of organizations deemed critical infrastructure in Iowa and adjacent states. “We’re making every effort to support healthcare, finance, logistics, utilities and other critical infrastructure,” said Aaron Warner, CEO of ProCircular. “These scans will identify cybersecurity weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers at a time when companies are focused on combatting the spread of this pandemic.” Read the
full news release
.
New Child Care Center Awarded $600,000 Grant
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for construction of the future Jefferson County Kids, Inc. child care center. The non-profit corporation is currently fundraising for the 14,000 sq.ft. child care center that will serve up to 185 children at full capacity. The City of Fairfield served as the applicant and will serve as a pass-through for the funding. Read the
full news release
.
ACS Named to the 2020 Tech Elite 250 and MSP 500 Lists by CRN®
Associated Computer Systems LTD (ACS) announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named ACS to its 2020 Tech Elite 250 list. This annual list acknowledges the top tier of North American IT solution providers that have earned the highest number of advanced technical certifications from leading technology suppliers, scaled to their company size. These organizations have differentiated themselves as premier solution providers, earning multiple, top-level IT certifications, specializations and partner program designations from the industry’s most prestigious technology providers. Read the
full news release
.
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Heidi S. Nebel Elected to the AUTM Board of Directors
The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), a global non-profit whose members support the commercialization of academic research through intellectual property protection, start-up formation and industry-academia collaborations, has elected Heidi S. Nebel
(pictured)
, managing member of MVS, to its board of directors. She is an intellectual property attorney with over 25 years of experience obtaining patents and designing IP strategy in the areas of biotechnology, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Read the
full news release
.
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