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Frequently Asked Questions

Visit sbam.org/covid19 for more details on these and other questions.

How do I apply for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan?

The loans are not yet fully available in Michigan, but we expect guidance today. Businesses in counties adjacent to Indiana and Ohio can apply: Please view this document to get prepared and understand then review the process. There are credit requirements: a credit history acceptable to SBA and applicants must show the ability to repay the loan.

I am not sure how to manage a reduced workforce and unemployment.

Unemployment benefits have been extended to:

- Workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including those who have childcare responsibilities due to school closures, or those who are forced to care for loved ones who become ill.

- Workers who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave or are laid off.

- First responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19.

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity provided guidance to Michigan employers on how to avoid potential layoffs related to COVID-19.

Will my unemployment insurance rates go up if I layoff workers?

It depends. Under Executive Order 2020-10, an employer or employing unit must not be charged for unemployment benefits if their employees become unemployed because of an executive order requiring them to close or limit operations.

What does the newly-passed Coronavirus Relief Package mean for my business?

Our team will dive into this issue at our SBAM Daily Briefing at 3:00pm EST on March 19. In the meantime, you can learn more here.

Is the April 15 tax deadline delayed?

Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to file their taxes by April 15. As of today, no change to the federal tax filing deadline has been announced.

However, the Secretary of Treasury announced the deferment of federal tax payments, interest free and penalty free, for 90 days. Individuals can defer up to $1 million in payments, and businesses can defer up to $10 million in payments.

Is there an extension for quarterly tax filings?

Yes. Effective immediately, small businesses scheduled to make their monthly sales, use and withholding tax payments on March 20 can postpone filing and payment requirements until April 20. The state Treasury Department will waive all penalties and interest for 30 days.

If one of our employees is quarantined, what information can we share with our employees? Who can we share it with?

If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. Employers should not, however, disclose to coworkers the identity of the quarantined employee due to ADA and HIPAA confidentiality requirements as well as local laws.

There are a number of variations of the issues raised above. HR needs to consult with their legal counsel to ensure they are not violating any of the various laws. With the expectation that the Coronavirus spread hasn’t peaked yet in the U.S., HR needs to be vigilant in advising managers not to do anything that would lead to liability during this time period.