September 16, 2020
State Leaders Announce Further Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Businesses
Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo have agreed to an additional extension of administrative tax relief for certain MA businesses impacted by the ongoing public health crisis.
The extension is applied to the deferral of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes for certain small businesses due from March 2020 through April 2021, so that they will instead be due in May 2021. Businesses that collected less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the twelve-month period ending February 29, 2020 are eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, with a similar extension applied to room occupancy taxes for the same period. No penalties or interest will accrue during this extension period.
For businesses with meals tax and room occupancy tax obligations that do not otherwise qualify for the relief, late-file and late-pay penalties are being waived during this period.
The Department of Revenue (DOR) is expected to issue emergency regulations and a Technical Information Release to implement the extension, which will be posted to the Department’s COVID-19 Response Update webpage.
RAM Member Demographics Survey
For 102 years, RAM has represented our employment sector with public officials, the press and with consumers. In order for us to effectively represent the broad range of our membership, it is more important today than ever to fully understand the make up and diversity of our 4000 members. Please take a minute to fill out this important survey so that we can better support your business, your employees and your customers. Click here for confidential survey.
Important Update on Paid Family and
Medical Leave (PFML)
The Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) wants to make sure you are aware of two important PFML changes:
They have updated mass.gov/pfml with new information. The website will continue to be updated throughout the fall, so it’s important that you visit it frequently.
The PFML contact center opened. Whether you have questions about timelines, general eligibility, or where to find resources on mass.gov – call 833-344-7365 – providing assistance in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Watch for follow-up emails from DFML. In the next few weeks, employers registered through MassTaxConnect should expect to receive a request to update your contact information. That way you’ll be ready when employees start taking paid leave in January 2021.
If you still have questions about the law, please refer to their employer toolkit. Click on link to Download the Employer Toolkit.
My Local MA Campaign
RAM wants to remind members to utilize the “My Local MA” campaign that will run through the holiday shopping season in December. The campaign was developed by the MA Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) to showcase MA businesses and attractions – from family owned-restaurants to artisan boutiques to museums – that are a critical part of the Commonwealth’s economy.
The campaign, found at findmylocalma.com, will also include print, broadcast, billboard and digital ads, and social media. All RAM members are encouraged to visit the site and to follow along and cross promote the effort through social media – and don’t forget to use the RAM sponsored #BuyinMA hashtag!
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