The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce deeply appreciates your efforts to assist employers as we navigate the serious challenges presented by the COVID-19 virus and its impacts on Minnesota’s economy. We believe there are immediate actions that can be taken to mitigate the impacts of this public health emergency on Minnesota businesses. These are short term in nature and provide much needed liquidity and flexibility in maintaining operations.
We offer the following recommendations for your consideration:
- Match the expected federal extension of the April 15 income tax filing and payment date for Minnesota income taxes, including a waiver of interest and penalties. Over 90 percent of businesses file their business taxes as pass-through entities through their individual income tax returns.
- Provide a 90-day extension for the May 15 property tax payment with a waiver of interest and penalties.
- Allow for an extension in the sales tax remittance for the February and March payments (currently due on March 20 and April 20) for industries hardest hit from closure requirements to contain the spread of this virus.
- Provide a quick refund request option for businesses that have overpaid estimated taxes in Minnesota. This is currently allowed at the federal level (Federal Form 4466).
- Waive or delay other state-imposed fees such as general business or industry specific annual licensing fees until December 30, 2020.
- Regarding unemployment insurance, allow any claims made related to the COVID-19 pandemic to not be counted against employers’ experience rating.
- Establish a state fund to help defray the out of pocket costs that Minnesotans with high deductible health insurance plans may face when seeking treatment for the COVID-19 virus.
- Request through the Small Business Administration low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.
Read the FULL Letter
HERE
