August 2020 | Decker, Farrell & McCoy, LLP

Relief and Funding for Human Rights, Emergency Aid, Cash-Flow Assistance and New Infrastructure Projects

Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act (S 2746) – This bill authorizes the establishment of a new Law Enforcement Officers Suicide Data Collection Program to be administered by the FBI. The program will gather data related to suicides and attempted suicides of current and former officers, as well as the wrongful detainment of U.S. nationals abroad. The purpose of the Act is to help understand and prevent law enforcement suicides. The bill was introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) on Oct. 30, 2019. It was passed by the House [...]

Service2Client2020-08-01T12:00:07-08:00August 1st, 2020|

Robotics Carves Out Niche in Various Businesses

Away from the movies, robots are becoming a reality in everyday life.Robots have played a major role in manufacturing industries to perform basic tasks that are either dangerous or laborious for humans. As technology becomes relatively cheaper – through the availability of components such as processors, sensors, batteries and cameras – robots are now making an entrance in industries apart from manufacturing, such as in marketing, inventory, telecommunications and entertainment.Why Robotics in Business?To avoid confusion, it’s important to mention at this point that robotics often refers to software configured to [...]

Service2Client2020-08-01T12:00:06-08:00August 1st, 2020|

Help for People Struggling to Pay Bills

The impact of COVID-19 has caused many Americans to suffer hardships, one of which is struggling to make ends meet. But take heart; there are solutions. Here are a few areas in which creditors are working with people to alleviate some of the stress.MortgagesFortunately, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, allows for mortgage forbearance, which if you’re financially compromised because of COVID-19, you can temporarily suspend payments. Also, the Federal Housing Finance Agency is allowing mortgage servicers to permit homeowners to delay payments if the notes are backed [...]

Service2Client2020-08-01T12:00:05-08:00August 1st, 2020|

Borrowing From Your Retirement Plan: New CARES Act Rules

It’s been nearly half a year since Americans first became widely aware of the coronavirus contagion within the United States. While for a brief month it looked as if we had the virus in hand, since then it has spread wildly out of control in many areas.People who did not suffer dramatic financial consequences in the early stages of the pandemic could see some hard days ahead. For this reason, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the new relaxed rules associated with withdrawals from tax-advantaged retirement plans.In late [...]

Service2Client2020-08-01T12:00:04-08:00August 1st, 2020|

How Will the Market Price in Q2 Earnings?

The New York Fed Staff Nowcast predicts a negative 14.3 percent (-14.3 percent) growth of real GDP for Q2 of 2020 and a positive 13.2 percent growth of real GDP for Q3 of 2020. Clearly, the Fed is expecting a rebound in the second half of 2020.This forecast, presented in the July 17, 2020: New York Fed Staff Nowcast, attributes better than expected results for industrial production, capacity utilization and retail sales data categories, resulting in the upward revision.For June 2020, the forecast for the Industrial Production Index was 2.48, [...]

Service2Client2020-08-01T12:00:03-08:00August 1st, 2020|

How to Develop an Employee Leave Policy During COVID-19

According to the United States Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act addresses how select businesses must give their workers paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under permitted circumstances in light of COVID-19.Effective starting April 1, 2020, the following will be in effect through Dec. 31, 2020.1. If the worker cannot perform his duties because he is relegated to a quarantine, as mandated by a medical professional or a local, state or federal government, or if he is symptomatic with COVID-19 [...]

Service2Client2020-08-01T12:00:02-08:00August 1st, 2020|

R&D Tax Credits May be Part of the Next Tax Relief Bill

As the economic impact of COVID-19 lingers and an impending second wave is on everyone’s mind, Congress is already thinking of new legislation to stimulate the economy. One of the ideas on the top of the list is an expansion of the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit as part of the next COVID-19 relief bill.Proposals for the R&D Tax CreditThere are numerous proposals for changing the R&D tax credits. It is seen as an investment in the U.S. economy, with some believing the credit is an effective tool to [...]

Service2Client2020-08-01T12:00:01-08:00August 1st, 2020|