CORONAVIRUS
Frequently Asked Questions
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Tax payment deadline pushed 90 days
Deadline for PAYMENT of federal income taxes is pushed by 90 days meaning no penalties and interest is assessed on late payments; for filing extension it is important to file for the 6 months extension - individuals and businesses
Wells Fargo information
Wells Fargo is committed to helping customers experiencing hardships, including from COVID-19. If you're in need of assistance, visit our Customer Service page, which also includes our contact information.
Chase Coronavirus update
To protect yourself from scams, please know that we won’t ask for confidential information—such as your name, password, PIN or other account information—if we reach out to you. See the Federal Trade Commission’s advice(Opens Overlay).
Travel changes and cancellations—we’ll help you understand your options, whether you paid with your credit or debit card or used rewards. We recommend you start with your travel provider because many airlines and hotels are being flexible.
Your accounts or payments—please call us at the number on the back of your credit or debit card, or on your monthly statement.
Your business—we’ll help you prepare and manage through potential business disruptions.
Unemployment benefits - How to file a claim
“You can be eligible for benefits if you have enough earnings over the past 12-18 months and meet other eligibility criteria.” Employment Development Department
Claims can be filed online, by phone, fax or mail
Protection against evictions, foreclosures and utility shut-offs
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on March 16, 2020 authorizing local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slows foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19; the order does not relieve a tenant from the obligation to pay rent, or restrict the landlord’s ability to recover rent that is due. The protections are in effect through May 31, 2020, unless extended. The order also requests banks and other financial institutions to halt foreclosures and related evictions during this time period.
Santa Clara County Superior Court - All non-essential functions cancelled
the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara has suspended all non-essential functions for three weeks or until such time as the order is lifted. All clerk’s office functions will be closed to the public while the order remains in place.
Bay Area courts further reduce services
San Jose Mercury News announced that Santa Clara County Presiding Judge Deborah Ryan signed an order extending temporary restraining orders by up to three weeks if they were set to expire between now and the first week of April.
No jury duty reporting for the next 3 weeks; Clerk’s office closed
San Mateo, Alameda, Solano counties also offer extremely limited services for temporary retraining orders, criminal matters
Administration is looking to get cash to Americans ‘immediately’
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the Trump administration wants to get emergency funds in Americans’ pockets “immediately” amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Americans need cash now,” Mnuchin said during a White House press briefing on the administration’s latest efforts to combat the disease. “I mean now in the next two weeks.”
Mnuchin said that an idea of the administration’s plan will come into focus by “the end of the day” Tuesday.
He added that the U.S. is unlikely to send checks to millionaires.
“I think it’s clear, We don’t need to send people who make a million dollars a year checks,” Mnuchin said. “I think we’re going to do something that gets money to them as quickly as possible. That may not be an accurate way of doing it. Some people obviously shouldn’t be getting a check for $1,000 but we’ll have an idea at the end of the day of what we will be doing.”
Tax related relief
dollar for dollar reimbursement for coronavirus related sick leave costs
cash deposited with the IRS used to pay sick leave wages
Treasury will make advances to small businesses to cover such costs for businesses that would not have sufficient taxes to draw from
currently no extension announced for tax filings due April 15, 2020; however, taxpayers (individuals and businesses) can efile for extensions; NOTE: extension to file does not equal extension to pay!
SBA - Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
“The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.“
Lending process - credit check prior to funding; time frame 2-3 weeks
Unemployment benefits during Bay Area "shelter in place" due to Coronavirus
Unemployment benefits calculator
Bay Area Shelter-in-place order
Six counties in the Bay Area and the City of Berkeley issued an order requiring residents and businesses to shelter-in-place on March 16, 2020. Here are some of the most important aspects of the order:
Authority - Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. (California Health and Safety Code § 120295, et seq.)
Length - 3 weeks (March 16 through April 7, 2020
Allowed activities for individuals - all persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses
Allowed activities for businesses - all businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations
Travel - all travel, including, but not limited to, travel on foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or public transit, except Essential Travel and Essential Activities is prohibited; public transit only for purposes of performing Essential Activities or to travel to and from work to operate Essential Businesses or maintain Essential Governmental Functions