Bookkeeping Associates

If you are an independent contractor and/or self-employed the unemployment benefits for PA are now available at the following link: https://pua.benefits.uc.pa.gov/ It is a long process (about 2 hours). Be patient, please.

Loans thru the SBA are being offered to small businesses. You can apply through your bank or through www.sba.gov. SOME of these loans are interest free, some are offering $10,000 that will become a grant, but there are stipulations. We are hoping everyone in need at this time can get the assistance to keep their businesses thriving when all this has passed.

We are sifting through the details of the House approved stimulus bill which the President will be signing at 4 p.m. What we know: You DO NOT have to have your 2019 income tax returns filed to receive this money. Taxpayers making under $75,000 will receive $1200 each with an additional $500 per dependent child (17 and under) in the household. The stimulus amount changes between $75,000 and $99,000 - capping at the $99,000 per person. (This means $150,000 of income f...or married couples capping at $198,000). Self-employed individuals can NOW apply for unemployment benefits. (This was previously not allowed). If your employees file for unemployment, your unemployment rates will NOT increase because of this pandemic time. Individuals receiving Social Security Benefits will also receive stimulus money. The details of how this will be handled are not available to us as of yet. We will be reading the information for business loans and posting as soon as we know more. Also as an FYI, the Governor has ordered Luzerne County as a stay at home county. We are processing payrolls, as that is the essential part of our business to our clients. Tax preparation is still being done, but since we are ordered to stay home, we are asking that you mail payment for your returns or refrain from dropping off until the order to stay in is lifted. If you are in need of your return for financial reasons during this time, please contact our office to make arrangements. Thank you all again for your continued support and understanding. As always, stay safe and healthy everyone!

Today's update... a lot of information has been released about the Covid19 stimulus package and what type of monies for individuals, families, and businesses will be made available. They house is voting on this package tomorrow. As soon as we know, we will post the details. Everything at this point can still be changed, including the possibility of business owners collecting unemployment. Continue to stay safe and healthy and let's hope the government officials can come together and get much needed funding to the American people and businesses very soon!

Just a reminder that we ARE working to complete payrolls and tax returns that are already at our office. If we have any questions on your return, we will contact you. We would like to keep everyone safe and healthy at this time. However, if you are out of work and NEED your refund, please contact our office at 570-693-3535 to arrange to pay and have your return electronically filed. Otherwise, your returns are here and can be picked up when all of this pandemic has subsided. ALL of the deadlines have been extended to July 15th. So, there is no rush to pick up at this time. Stay well everyone. We are all in this together.