COVID-19 Business & Employee Resources & Assistance

Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey

Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.

The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online. Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Completing this survey could help unlock State and Federal funding. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com.

Stimulus Checks

You can track the status of your stimulus checks using the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Get Your Payment application. You can find out when it’s scheduled to be mailed or deposited into your bank account.

You can also use the application to provide your direct deposit information as well as update your mailing address if you have moved since you last filed federal income taxes.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents who did not have to file federal income taxes in 2018 or 2019 can enter their direct deposit information to receive their stimulus check.

• Read more about the stimulus checks
• Read the IRS news release

Coronavirus Tax Relief

The 2019 income tax filing and payment deadlines for all taxpayers who file and pay their Federal income taxes on April 15, 2020, are automatically extended until July 15, 2020. This relief applies to all individual returns, trusts, and corporations. This relief is automatic, taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify.

This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.

Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of July 16, 2020. You will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by July 15.

Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

In certain circumstances, employers can apply for an advance from the IRS to obtain funds to provide paid leave. The IRS has issued a press release explaining some of the benefits that are available.

For more information, visit irs.gov.

Small Business Tax Payers

The state’s Department of Revenue has a special email address, COVID19TAXHELP@FloridaRevenue.com, to answer questions for small business taxpayers and encourage taxpayers to work with the department if they have financial difficulties with meeting taxpayer deadlines.

State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program has been activated. The application period will run through May 8, 2020. The program will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. Qualified applicants must be a for-profit, privately held small business that maintains a place of business in the state of Florida, must be established prior to March 9, 2020, and must employ 2 to 100 employees.

This loan program will provide up to $50,000 per eligible small business. Loans of up to $100,000 may be made in special cases as warranted by the need of the eligible small business. To apply visit, floridadisasterloan.org.

Short-Time Compensation Program (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)

The Short-Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees. If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan and an employee meets the qualifications to file a re-employment assistance claim in the state of Florida, the employee will receive a partial re-employment check to supplement their reduced paycheck.

Employees & Employers: Find more information on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Short Time Compensation Program.

Employers: Apply for the Short Time Compensation Program (required for employees to submit a re-employment claim).

Small Business Assistance

The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is providing resources to support local businesses and employees. For more business information about COVID-19, visit the Beacon Council website or email beaconhelp@beaconcouncil.com.

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce also has a business resource guide.

Through the federal CARES Act, billions of dollars are available for small businesses in the form of loans and grants, such as Economic Injury Disaster Loans and the Paycheck Protection Program, both of which are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In addition, local businesses can start applying for Florida Emergency Bridge Loans by calling 833-832-4494.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Guidance

The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA has approved the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program which will provide 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.

Small Business Paycheck Protection Program

NOTICE: The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30 am.

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

Under this program:

• Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.
• Loan payments will be deferred for six months.
• If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.

Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

Employer Notice: Each covered employer must post in a conspicuous place on its premises a notice of FFCRA requirements. Employer requirements fact sheet. The Department of Labor has issued a press release indicating that it intends to observe a 30-day period of non-enforcement for employers who engage in reasonable, good-faith efforts to comply with the FFCRA.

Unemployment Benefits

Florida has eliminated the ‘work search’ requirement’ for unemployment benefits.

To apply for unemployment online click here.

Unemployment applications are available to print and mail.
Click here for English | Click here for Spanish

For more information, visit floridajobs.org.

Temporary Signage for Businesses in Sunny Isles Beach

The City of Sunny Isles Beach would like to provide temporary assistance to our business community and will allow installation of temporary flag banners along Collins Avenue. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, please follow the steps below:

• Email infopz@sibfl.net with the following information:
  • Name, address, and type of business
  • Contact information including name, phone and email of site manager/owner
  • Hours of operation (days and hours)
• Picture or graphic of the proposed temporary flag banner (one per business)
• Dimensions of the proposed temporary flag banner (one per business)
• Temporary flag banner content
• Contact information (name, phone, email) of person in charge of installing and removing banner on a daily basis
• Prior to installing your temporary flag banner, you shall receive a notification of approval from infopz@sibfl.net with the specific location where to install your flag banner
• There will be NO fee to request a temporary flag banner, however, Code Compliance will assess $250 daily fines if guidelines are not followed

For questions and more information, please call 305.792.1740 or email infopz@sibfl.net.