Author Archives:
Carey Dagenhart

For Atlanta businesses hit hard by the pandemic, the COVID-19 relief programs available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) have provided a desperately needed lifeline. This reality is reflected in the data which shows just how many businesses and organizations received financial assistance. Since the Paycheck Protection Program and Restaurant Revitalization Fund are now closed, many are looking towards the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) for additional relief.

How is the IRS doing? According to key leaders on the inside, not so good. The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration’s (TIGTA) interim report combined with the National Taxpayer Advocate's midyear report highlighted a federal agency that was already struggling to keep up … and then COVID-19 hit. Subsequent rounds of stimulus legislation and changing tax laws created what Erin Collins, National Taxpayer Advocate, called a “perfect storm.”

The persistent COVID-19 pandemic continues to create economic and financial challenges for government agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals. While there has been a reduction in the number of new cases, thanks in part to the vaccine, many of the protective restrictions across Atlanta remain. It is against this backdrop that President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the Act) into law.

To the relief of many Atlanta area businesses and nonprofits another round of COVID-19 financial relief is coming, but final details on what and who will be covered and to what extent still linger. Congress is debating the specifics of what will be included in this latest round of relief; although after the Senate Democratic majority’s use of a budget resolution to pass muster, it is not a question of if the legislation will get passed, but when. Given the length and complexity of what is being called, the American Rescue Plan, many are wondering what type of relief is expected to be included when it is passed by Congress and signed into law.

U.S. independent auto dealerships started 2020 with a measured and slightly positive outlook and will be ending the year like most other industries: down. The coronavirus pandemic has shattered and reshaped outlooks for practically every sector, including auto dealerships. That is not to say that 2020 has not been without its opportunities, however, as there are several positive forward-looking trends that spell opportunity.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many changes for Atlanta area businesses. It started with the abrupt government orders around business closures and stay at home orders and transitioned to re-opening guidelines that mandate both employee and customer safeguards (facemasks, social distancing, and sanitizers). There are several well-documented loan programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) designed to help businesses financially thrive.

For businesses not directly impacted by the COVID-19 forced business closures, there have been a number of necessary changes to maintain operations. Restaurants have had to shift from a dine-in experience to delivery or curbside pickup model, manufacturing companies have adjusted supply chains while others have transitioned to a remote workforce environment. Virtually overnight some employees were terminated, some forced to accepted significantly fewer hours and others faced the new challenge of working from home.

In early March, just as the coronavirus was staking its hold in our large metropolitan communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began encouraging non-essential businesses to operate remotely.

When a Georgia employer reduces employee hours because of a COVID-19 issue, they are required to file a partial unemployment claim with the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL).