GRA Weekly | August 8, 2021

GRA Weekly

August 8, 2021

This week's newsletter is brought to you by Georgia Power

HELP WANTED!

Urge Congress to Continue Relief Funding

Since the RRF ran out of money last month, the Association is engaging in a grassroots effort, encouraging members to urge their members of Congress to replenish the RRF. Nearly 200,000 eligible restaurants did NOT receive grants, leaving nearly $50B in unfunded applications. For additional information detailing the critical need to replenish the RRF, check out the Association’s newest fact sheet.

ACT NOW TO STOP NEW 80/20 TIP RULE!

URGENT: DOL Wants to Impose an 80/20 Rule! Help us tell them NO!

On June 21, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it intends to change certain regulations that apply to tipped employees. Specifically, the DOL proposes to implement an 80/20 Rule. Which means that:

Tipped employees won’t be allowed to spend more than 30 consecutive minutes or 20% of their time on tasks that directly support tip-producing work, such as a waiter wiping tables after customers leave or bartenders preparing garnishes for drinks.

Employers will need to track tipped employees working time through three categories: time spent on tasks that produce tips, time spent on tasks directly supporting tip-producing work, and time spent on tasks that are not part of the “tipped” occupation.

Limits will be placed on taking the tip credit based on the category of work performed and taking a tip credit won't be allowed for any time spent on work that the DOL considers not part of the tipped occupation.

DOL needs to hear from YOU! Your voice is critical to preventing the federal government from issuing rules that would be damaging to an industry still recovering from pandemic revenue loss and facing further uncertainty due to potential COVID-19 variants and evolving guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Please let the Department of Labor know that you oppose rule changes for tipped employees by completing our grassroots message campaign today!

TAKE ACTION NOW!

HENRY COUNTY + ATHENS-CLARKE MASK MANDATE

This week, Henry County & Athens-Clarke County issued Executive Orders regarding masks & face coverings. Henry County’s order only applies to Henry County Government buildings. Athens-Clarke County’s order applies to restaurants and other entities and is in effect until 11:59PM on September 8th. This order will be enforced: 1. If confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Athens-Clarke County over the previous seven (7) days is equal to or greater than one hundred (100) cases per one hundred thousand (100,000) people according to the CDC; or 2. Until the Department of Public health reports a vaccination rate of 80% of Athens-Clarke County population.

Read the full EO.

VACCINES | WE CAN DO THIS

Interested in hosting a vaccine clinic at no cost at your restaurant or business for your employees, their families and your guests? Send an email to GA DPH partner CORE (Community for Organized Relief Effort) to make arrangements.

Did you know? Eligible businesses that allow employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine can receive a tax credit.

Learn More.

PPP FORGIVENESS PORTAL

New PPP Loan Forgiveness Portal Simplifies Process for Small Businesses

For small businesses who borrowed $150,000 or less as part of the Paycheck Protection Program, the path to applying for forgiveness is now easier thanks to a new Small Business Administration portal that streamlines the process and allows these borrowers to work directly through the SBA instead of their financial institutions. The new platform, which begins accepting applications Aug. 4, requires lenders to opt-in. SBA also is launching a PPP Customer Service Team to field questions directly from borrowers M-F, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. at (877) 552-2692. Eliminating PPP loan debt was also the topic of a webinar hosted today by the Association’s public affairs team. A recorded copy of the webinar can be accessed here.

IMPERIAL DADE INNOVATIONS EXPO | ATLANTA

GRA Corporate Partner, Imperial Dade invites all GRA restaurants and foodservice operators to the Innovations Expo on Thursday, August 19 at the GICC. Walk through their catalog in person and see the latest innovations in takeout packaging, kitchen sanitation supplies, dish machines, restroom products, floor care systems, and more!

With over 100 exhibits you’ll be sure to find solutions that will help you save time and money, increase customer satisfaction, and create a healthy and safe dining experience. Admission and parking are free!

Thursday, August 19, 2021

IMPORTANT TAX CREDIT UPDATES

Tips are Eligible Wages for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)

Positive news for restaurants accessing the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC): businesses can claim tips paid by customers in excess of $20 per month as eligible wages for ERTC, and businesses can receive both the ERTC and the section 45B credit for the same wages.

Eligible businesses can access 50% of up to $10,000 in eligible wages for ERTC in 2020, for a total of $5,000. In 2021, that percentage rises to 70% of up to $10,000 in eligible wages during each calendar quarter, for a total of $7,000 each quarter. Be advised: a prominent infrastructure proposal in the U.S. Senate would end ERTC by September 30, 2021.

This is welcome guidance after the National Restaurant Association worked with Congress and the Administration to clarify eligible wages and tips. We thank the restaurants and other hospitality businesses who illustrated this issue and helped identify the need to update ERTC guidance.

Click here to read the guidance from the IRS. Relevant sections are on pages 20-24.

Treasury Extends Paid-Leave Tax Credit

Last week, the Treasury Department expanded a paid-leave tax credit to include workers who take time off to accompany a family or household member getting vaccinated against COVID-19 or to care for them if they have side effects. Today’s expanded guidance gives employers further opportunity to support the health and safety of their employees’ families and communities without placing an undue burden on their business during the pandemic.

Take a Tax Break for Hiring the Unemployed

Did you know you could receive a tax break for hiring unemployed individuals? The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit for hiring applicants from certain target groups who face significant barriers to employment—including individuals unemployed for 27 weeks or longer.

Get the FAQs.

GA DOL UPDATE

Georgia Department of Labor: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Proof Submittal

The Continued Assistance Act of 2020 requires individuals who received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits on or after December 27, 2020, to provide proof of employment/self-employment or a valid offer to begin employment and proof of wages. The deadline to submit PUA proof is August 14, 2021.

ENERGY STAR®

How electric fryers can save you energy and money

If you haven’t upgraded your commercial kitchen to ENERGY STAR® certified open vat electric fryers yet, it may be worth considering this year. In addition to being 14% more energy efficient than standard models, according to energystar.gov, each fryer can save you an average of $2,600 on utility bills over the product’s lifetime. Electric fryers provide direct heat into the oil, increasing oil life and extending the duration of the oil’s sweet spot while providing fast recovery times. Connect with your foodservice equipment distributor or contact us at 1-877-310-5607 to learn more.

REST IN PEACE

It is with great sorrow and sadness, the GRA mourns the loss of GRA member and restaurateur Eric Kaiser. Kaiser passed away unexpectedly at age 57 on Thursday, August 5, 2021. Kaiser was the owner/operator of several popular Atlanta restaurants, including Grant Central Pizza & Pasta and Grant Central East, and the former Tomatillos and Cabbagetown Grill. Kaiser is survived by his wife, Margaret Kaiser, former State Representative for House District 59, along with their two sons, Willem and Ewan.

FRAUD ALERT

As a reminder, SBA directly communicates from email addresses ending in @sba.gov. SBA also communicates via email updates/notifications using an email marketing platform. Those emails end in @updates.sba.gov.

If you are being contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA who is not using an official SBA email address, you should suspect fraud. To report potential fraud, visit sba.gov/covidfraudalert.