The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued information regarding the federal individual stimulus payments.  The payments will be up to $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples and $500 for qualifying dependents.  The payment amount will decrease for annual incomes over $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples.  Single filers with annual income over $99,000 and married couples over $198,000 are not eligible.

IRS will use 2019 tax returns for people who have already filed them. IRS will use 2018 tax returns for people who have not yet filed 2019 tax returns.  The money will be deposited into the account on the tax return for direct deposit.  If the tax return does not have a direct deposit account, the check will be mailed.  IRS will implement a web-based portal to provide banking information for people to get direct deposit who have not already provided account information on their tax return.

People who receive Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability and derivative benefit, do not need to file a tax return because IRS will use their SSA-1099 or RRB-1099 to make the payment.  However, people receiving Social Security benefits who want the $500 for each dependent will need to file a tax return.  People receiving SSI only will need to file a tax return.

People who have not filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 can still do so to receive a payment. The payments will be available until the end of 2020 for people who file tax returns.

Although not in the guidance, please note that persons without a Social Security Number, couples with one person who does not have a Social Security Number (except when one person is a veteran), 17-18 year olds, college students age 19-23 are not eligible for the payment and non-resident aliens (a tax term that basically means persons without a green card).  (IR 2020-61, March 30, 2020, updated April 1, 2020.)

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced several changes because of COVID-19.  For taxpayers under an existing installment agreement or an offer and compromise agreement, payments due between April 1 and July 15, 2020 are suspended.  Interest will continue to accrue on unpaid balances.

Taxpayers will have until July 15 to provide requested additional information to support a pending offer and compromise application.

Liens and levies will be suspended until July 15.

New delinquent accounts will not be forwarded to private collection agencies until July 15.

IRS generally will not start new field, office and correspondence examinations.  IRS will continue to work refund claims where possible.  In person meetings are suspended.  Examiners will continue examinations remotely when possible.

Taxpayers have until July 15 to respond to the IRS to verify that they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or to verify their income.  Until July 15, the IRS will not deny these credits for failure to provide requested information.  (IR 2020-59, March 25, 2020.)

The California Department of Social Sercices (CDSS) has issued a statewide waiver of certain adult and senior care program licensee requirements.

Facilities must limit entry only to individuals who need entry for prevention, containment, and mitigation measures.  A facility may also limit a person in care’s right to associate with other persons in care, as necessary for containment and mitigation only, not for prevention.  Facilities must make arrangements for alternate means of communication for visitors such as phone calls, video calls, and online communications.

Facilities may waive buildings and grounds requirements related to capacity or bedroom sharing as necessary for prevention, containment, and mitigation measures, as long as the health and safety of persons in care is not compromised, as needed to isolate or quarantine a person in care who is exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory virus, or who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Facilities may waive personnel staffing ratios as necessary for prevention, containment, and mitigation measures as long as the licensee is able to meet the health and safety needs of each person in care.

New staff at a licensed facility may start caring for persons in care immediately upon submission of a request to transfer a current CDSS criminal record clearance or exemption.

New staff at a licensed facility can begin caring for children upon submission of a criminal record clearance from a state or local government agency.  Within 5 days of starting work, the new staff must LiveScan.

New staff may start working immediately if they submit proof of TB clearance within the last year.  New staff must arrange to obtain current TB clearance.

New staff may start work as soon as they provide proof of completion of first aid training.  New staff shall be trained on specific tasks they will be performing and may not be unsupervised while children are present.  Initial training requirements must be met within 30 days of starting employment.

The age requirement for caregivers may be waived to allow minors age 17 to begin caregiving.

Current department-approved vendors can livestream approved courses that would otherwise be held in-person.

The waiver will expire at the end of the Governor’s emergency declaration.  (PIN 20-008-ASC, March 18, 2020.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has suspended annual inspections for all Community Care Licensed facilities because of COVID-19.  CDSS will continue to conduct complaint investigations on a timeline based on the nature of the allegations.  (PIN 20-07-CCLD, March 21, 2020.)