To our US clients, Congress passed the CARES Act which provides some relief to individuals, faith-based organizations and small businesses. The details and where to apply can be confusing with many websites providing information. We try to provide you the information below in summary to help you out:

There will be a recovery check of $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for joint filers with each child getting $500. You will get the maximum if your adjusted gross income is less than $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for head of household and $150,000 for joint filers but the amount is reduced to zero if more than $99,000, $146,500 and $198,000 respectively.

IRS will use your direct deposit information on your 2018 or 2019 tax return to send you the payment.

Check on the following link for detail information: https://taxfoundation.org/cares-act-senate-coronavirus-bill-economic-relief-plan/

There is also an enhanced unemployment insurance through the various states. Please check the state websites for useful information. Example: Maryland residents can check on the following link: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/unemployment.shtml

There are several programs available to small business and faith based organizations as summarized below through SBA in the following link: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance: This will give you a grant of up to $10,000 and is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), Private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by COVID-19. Please, apply through the following link: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/

Paycheck Protection Program: The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender but mostly through your bank. Most states have their own relief programs for small business. Example, Maryland small business owners, please check out the following link: https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-covid-19-emergency-relief-manufacturing-fund

Thank you and may we go through this together successfully.