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COVID-19 Resources

Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Jobs, asked committee staff to develop and maintain a webpage to provide small businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, and economic and workforce development professionals with the resources they may need in responding to COVID-19 challenges. 

Federal and State Government Resources

Guidelines for Re-Opening

Governor released new business operation protocols to protect worker and public safety.  Progress in reopening businesses is based on specific health indicators, which the Governor tracks and reports using a “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.”

California Stay-At-Home Order and Essential Business Lists

Resources to Help Businesses Maintain Their Operations

  • The California Office of the Small Business Advocate is available to help businesses identify resources and obtain answers to key questions (to the extent known).  They created a very user friendly page, "How We Can Help," and continue to update a helpful FAQ for small businesses.

  • Find your local small business assistance center through the California TA Providers Guide.  At these state- and federally-funded business assistance centers, small businesses and nonprofits can access free one-on-one business and management counseling and training, including the discussion of options for accessing capital.   

  • California has launched a new Small Business and Employer page for the main state COVID-19 disaster page.  On this page, there are links to a wide range of resources including information on accessing capital and updates on tax requirements. 

  • California Small Business Development Centers has a resource page, which includes both state and federal information for small businesses:  https://www.californiasbdc.org/covid19 There is also a California Resource Guide  and CARES Act Program Guide, which include detailed information about federal programs serving California, including the SBA Disaster Economic Injury Loan Program and the Paycheck Protection Program.

  • GO-Biz is hosting a COVID-19 resource webpage with links to the IBank, Labor and Workforce Agency, Franchise Tax Board, and Department of Tax and Fee Management:  https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019

  • USDA Rural Development has launched a COVID-19 resource page.  Board range of resources from affordable housing, business development, to utilities.  This document summaries USDA Rural Development program changes to help rural businesses during the pandemic. 

  • The federal Small Business Administration has a resource page, which includes guidance for businesses and employers, information about small business funding options, and government contracting opportunities.  This contracting guidebook assists small businesses with existing federal contracts who have been impacted by COVID-19.

  • Independent contractors and other self-employed individuals may be eligible for payments under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a new program funded through the federal CARES Act.  Under the program, unemployed business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, individuals with limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state Unemployment Insurance benefits and who are out of business, or whose services are significantly reduced, as a direct result of the pandemic may apply for benefits through this portal.  You can receive free assistance in completing you PUA application by contacting CAMEO.

  • COVID-19 Medical Supply Donations:  Individuals, businesses, and nonprofits who are interested in producing medical supplies can connect with the state through this site:  https://covid19supplies.ca.gov/

Special State and Federal Tax Filing and Other Provisions

  • State Income Taxes:  The deadline for filing personal and corporate income taxes has been extended to July 15, 2020.  The Franchise Tax Board’s COVID-19 webpage has important information about filing state income taxes, including a FAQ, and can be found at:  https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/covid-19/index.html

  • Federal Income Taxes:  The IRS has established a special section to assist taxpayers, businesses, and individuals impacted by coronavirus.  Updates will be shared on this webpage:  www.irs.gov/coronavirus.

  • State Payroll Taxes:  Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request from the EDD an extension of up to 60 days to file their state payroll reports and without penalty or interest.  A written request for an extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return.  For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center toll-free from the U.S. or Canada at 1-888-745-3886.  More information on how to request the extension and other services through EDD is available at:  www.edd.ca.gov

  • Federal Social Security Payroll Tax for Employers and Self Employed:  The CARES Act allows employers to defer the deposit and payment of the employer's share of Social Security taxes and self-employed individuals to defer payment of certain self-employment taxes until December 31, 2020.  FAQ on deferring employer share of Social Security.

  • State Sales and Use Tax: Businesses experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request an extension from the Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Small sales and use tax filers (filing less than $1 million annually) have been given specific approval for taking an additional three months to file for the tax periods of April 1, 2020, through July 1, 2020. A small business may also apply for an extended payment plan that provides for up to a one-year extension on the small business' payment of state sales tax without penalty or interest.  To qualify for the one-year payment extension, the businesses must have taxable annual sales of under $5 million and apply to the Department of Tax and Fee Administration for a payment plan.  For questions and extension requirements, small businesses will find more information at:  https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/services/covid19.htm#small-business-payment

  • Property Taxes:  Property taxes are paid through the county in which the business owns land.  Individual counties have adopted their own COVID-19 property tax measurers.  On April 4, 2020, the California State Association of Counties and the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors released a statements that counties, collectively, agreed to work with landowners to the best of their abilities to not apply Penalties for late property tax payments.  https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/04/04/governor-newsom-praises-california-counties-for-pledge-to-use-local-authority-to-cancel-penalties-or-charges-for-property-tax-non-payment-related-to-covid-19/

Accessing Capital - Public and Private Financial Resources

State Programs:  California’s Small Business Finance Center provides small businesses access to a range of financial products, including the Small Business Loan Guarantee (guarantee through private lenders) and the Farm Loans (direct loans to businesses).  California also offers a loss reserve-style credit enhancement program, the California Capital Access Program, to encourage private lenders to provide small business loans.  On April 2, 2020, Governor Newsome activated the California Disaster Loan Guarantee Program.   

Federal Programs:  The federal Small Business Administration has activated its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, which offers low interest loans with a deferred initial repayment date of next year, as well as a range of other disaster and non-disaster loan programs.  The Paycheck Protection Program is closed to new applicants.  Business can still take advances of refundable tax credits designed to encourage businesses to retain working during the COVID-19 emergency.  In addition, the SBA will make borrower's payments for 6 months on all current 7(a), 504, and Microloans in regular servicing status as well as new 7(a), 504, and Microloans disbursed prior to September 27, 2020.

Information about these federal programs is available through this webpage: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources#section-header-0.  An overview of these programs, including fact sheets, are also located on the Program Details webpage.

Existing Loans with Private Lenders:  State and federal regulators of financial institutions have issued a special directive to lenders to work constructively with businesses in modifying existing loans.  This directive, issued on March 20, 2020, can be accessed at:  https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20200322a.htm

Local and Other Financial Resources:  The California State Treasurer is tracking small business financial resources offered by local governments, foundations and other nonprofits, and corporations on this Google Doc.  It is updated regularly.

Employer Guidance from California Labor Agency and Related Departments

Employer Guidance from the Federal Government

  • The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance for businesses and employers here.

  • The federal Small Business Administration is providing guidance and consistently updating information about loans, contracting opportunities, and other resources available here.

Resources Available to Employees

   

 

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