Posted in CoronavirusAs companies continue to review the CARES Act to determine what assistance may be available to them, we have prepared a user-friendly checklist to assist them in getting a quick sense of what works for them.
Posted in CoronavirusMajor economic stabilization funds are made available to U.S. businesses (including nonprofits), states and municipalities under Title IV of the CARES Act. Title IV itself is titled the “Coronavirus Economic Stabilization Act of 2020” (referred to in this summary as “CESA”).[1]
Posted in Coronavirus, TaxOn March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the “CARES Act” to provide nearly 2 trillion dollars in aid and relief to individuals, businesses, and other entities in the wake of the spread of COVID-19. Included in the CARES Act are tax and loan provisions intended to provide financial relief to people and businesses suffering as a result of the disease.
The following summarizes certain key tax-related provisions in the CARES Act. Continue Reading
Posted in CoronavirusOn March 25, 2020 the Senate passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill “[p]roviding emergency assistance and healthcare response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” The House and the President are both expected to approve the Bill in short order. The Bill contains many provisions important to all companies, including government contractors. Sheppard Mullin’s Government Contracts, Investigations and International Trade Practice Group prepared a summary of the Bill, available here. In addition, for your reference, we are providing a section-by-section analysis from Capitol Hill, as well as the text of the bill itself. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about the legislation or its implementation. Continue Reading
Posted in Coronavirus, TaxAs we all learn to cope with the unprecedented changes to our daily lives imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, we want to assure you that the Sheppard Mullin estate planning team is thinking of you and stands ready to assist you in any way possible.
These uncertain times have caused many of us to think about steps we might take to confirm that our affairs are in order and that we have prudently provided for our family members and other loved ones. To assist with that review, we provide the following tips: Continue Reading
Posted in CoronavirusBoards of directors have a duty to exercise oversight and to monitor the company’s operational viability, legal compliance and financial performance during this COVID-19 pandemic. In Marchand v. Barnhill,[1] the Delaware Supreme Court held that the alleged facts relating to an outbreak of listeria raised a reasonably conceivable inference that the company’s directors failed to adopt a reporting and monitoring system sufficient to ensure they remained informed about food safety issues, which resulted in the company recalling all of its products, shutting down production, and laying off over a third of the workforce.[2]
Posted in Coronavirus, Labor & EmploymentIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reductions in hours, furloughs and temporary closures are becoming an increasingly common and unavoidable occurrence. Employers can expect to encounter questions with respect to employee benefits offered to affected employees. While the facts and circumstances of each case will vary, common themes exist, a few of which are mentioned below. Continue Reading
Posted in Coronavirus, TaxAs part of the federal government’s efforts to soften the economic effects from the Covid-19 pandemic, on Wednesday the IRS issued Notice 2020-17 announcing that federal income tax payments for the 2019 tax year otherwise due on April 15th may be postponed until July 15th 2020 without incurring interest or penalties on the amount due. In addition, the Notice also postponed to July 15th the due date for quarterly estimated federal income tax payments otherwise due on April 15th. Earlier statements by government officials had not indicated that the due date for quarterly estimated tax payments would also be extended. Continue Reading
Posted in Courts and ADR, Securities LitigationIn Sciabacucchi v. Salzberg, No. 346, 2019, 2020 WL 1280785 (Del. Mar. 18, 2020), the Delaware Supreme Court reversed a Delaware Court of Chancery (Laster, V.C.) decision declaring invalid a federal forum selection provision in a Delaware corporation’s charter or bylaws. The federal forum selection provision was intended to require claims by investors under the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”) to be brought solely in federal court, thereby avoiding the likelihood of defending duplicate, concurrent state and federal court 1933 Act claims. The Delaware Supreme Court’s decision provides clear guidance to companies preparing for securities offerings for implementing a tool to limit the cost of defending duplicative 1933 Act litigation. Continue Reading
On March 12, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted amendments to the definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” definitions in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2, which amendments will be effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and will apply to annual report filings due on or after such effective date. Continue Reading
