April 3 E-News Update:

Governor Signs Law Allowing for Immediate
Restaurant Beer/Wine Sales with Takeout Meals

Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law today an act that included a provision allowing restaurants to sell take-out beer and wine, and an official postponement of the income tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th. The law took immediate effect.
 
The beer and wine allowance language reads as follows:

SECTION 13. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, during the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency, an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages on-premises may sell wine or malt beverages only for off-premises consumption subject to the following conditions: (i) the wine or  malt beverage shall not be sold to a person under 21 years of age; provided, however, that any delivery of wine or malt beverages for off-premises consumption shall not be made without verification that the person receiving the order has attained 21 years of age; (ii) the wine shall be sold in its original, sealed container and the malt beverage shall be sold in a sealed container; (iii) the wine or malt beverage shall be sold as part of the same transaction as the purchase of food; provided, however, that any order that includes wine or malt beverages shall be placed not later than the hour of which the establishment is licensed to sell alcohol or 12:00 midnight, whichever time is earlier; and (iv) a customer shall be limited to 192 ounces of malt beverage and 1.5 liters of wine per transaction.

The law also relaxes rules for municipalities on local property tax deadlines.  The law did not address the RAM priority of commercial rent relief, yet we remain encouraged as the Legislature continues to work on compromise legislation that would protect tenants and homeowners from evictions due to the COVID-19 crisis.  Competing House and Senate bills aim to suspend most residential and commercial evictions and foreclosures for a period of time during the crisis, but the specifics remain fluid.

MA DOR Guidance on Tax Filing Deadline Relief 

TIR 20-4: TAX FILING AND PAYMENT RELIEF FOR PERSONAL INCOME AND CORPORATE EXCISE TAXPAYERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19

 

Summary:  This Technical Information Release (“TIR”) announces that Massachusetts personal income tax filings and payments originally due April 15, 2020 are now due July 15, 2020.  In addition, the Department will waive any late-file and late-pay penalties that apply to corporate excise returns and payments due April 15th, 2020 that are filed and paid by July 15, 2020. The TIR also explains the relief provided with respect to individual estimated tax payments.

Please Help RAM Help You With Updated Member Operations Information

In our continuing efforts to serve our members, our industry, and to advocate on your behalf to governmental officials, opinion leaders, and the press, please take a few moments to participate in this RAM survey.  And please note as a part of this survey, that NBC is looking for ways to help small businesses during this health and economic crisis.  They are trying to determine what your needs are, and if the network can contribute in tangible ways to get more small businesses digitally connected to their customers. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

REMINDER: Paycheck Protection Program Accepting Applications Today

Applications are being accepted today through your local banks for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program.  Do not delay if you plan to apply for this important program.  $350 billion has been made available, but the funds are expected to go quickly.  Interested members are encouraged to visit SBA Coronavirus Relief Options for information on the PPP and other available SBA assistance funds.