Tax Filing Reprieve

Tax Return Filing and Payment Extensions

Written by Jeffrey Davine

As a result of the Coronavirus crisis, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin recently extended the deadline for payment of 2019 federal income taxes from April 15th to July 15th.  This extension, however, did not apply to the filing of 2019 tax returns.

Today, the Treasury Secretary announced that the filing deadline for 2019 tax returns would be extended to match the new payment deadline. Continue reading “Tax Filing Reprieve”

Families First

UPDATE: President Trump Signs Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Stephen Franz

President Donald Trump signed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” (H.R. 6201) on March 18, 2020, shortly after the Senate voted to approve the bill.  The bill will take effect on April 2, 2020.  For those who read our earlier post, the House of Representatives made a number of amendments on March 16, 2020 to the version of the bill it passed two days prior.

Continue reading “Families First”

Big Apple, Small Business

New York City Helps Small Businesses Survive

Written by Arina Shulga

With the recent “social distancing” measures that include the closure of schools, bars and restaurants, gyms, libraries, Broadway theaters, large retailers, and other businesses, many companies operating in New York City are being seriously impacted.  Although some bigger companies may survive this economic crisis, small businesses likely face a grim future. Continue reading “Big Apple, Small Business”

COVID-19 Triggers Savings

Your Trademark and the COVID-19 Outbreak

Written by Alesha M. Dominique and Sofia Castillo

This week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that it considers the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak to be an “extraordinary situation” within the meaning of 37 CFR 2.146 for affected trademark applicants and trademark owners. In response, it is waiving the petition fees (set by regulation, rather than statute) that it normally charges to revive an abandoned trademark application and to reinstate a canceled or expired trademark registration if they were abandoned or canceled/expired as a result of the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak. Other trademark-related deadlines and fees will not change.

Specifically, the USPTO is waiving the petition fee to revive an abandoned application or to reinstate a canceled or expired registration if it was abandoned or canceled/expired “due to an inability to timely respond to a trademark-related Office communication as a result of the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak.” A petition must be accompanied by a statement that explains “how the failure to respond to the Office communication was due to the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak.” Continue reading “COVID-19 Triggers Savings”

Merger Modifications

DOJ and FTC Announce Temporary Modifications to Certain Filing and other Procedures under the Hart, Scott Rodino Act (“HSR Act”) For Pendency of COVID-19 Event

Written By Anthony Adler

On March 13, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that they have adopted a series of temporary changes to their civil merger investigation processes, which will remain in place during the pendency of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) event.  These changes will ensure that the DOJ and FTC will be able to continue operations as their employees carry out their duties under a mass telework directive in accordance with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities. These temporary measures include the following: Continue reading “Merger Modifications”

COVID-19 Client Communication

As the COVID-19 crisis rapidly evolves, the health and safety of our employees, clients and our communities remain our highest priority. We wanted to share with you what we are doing as a firm. We have instructed attorneys and staff in all of our offices to work remotely (with rare exception for certain critical functions). This is happening seamlessly as part of our business continuity plan. We have been working round-the-clock in counseling clients on today’s mission-critical issues, from employment to immigration to tax, as it relates to the outbreak of COVID-19. Like you, we are constantly monitoring the situation, and we will provide additional updates in the coming days and weeks as appropriate. In the meantime, we want you to know that our thoughts are with you and your families, and we hope that you remain healthy and safe.

In an effort to support you during these uncertain times, we have assembled a firm-wide COVID-19 response team from all of our practice areas. For the coming weeks, and starting today in this alert, we intend to send a consolidated communication alert on a regular basis that touches on breaking news and relevant items that could affect you or your business across a range of topics. If there is anything else that we can do to help you during this challenging time, please do not hesitate in reaching out.

Continue reading “COVID-19 Client Communication”

Coronavirus Business Interruption

Written by Jean Pierre Nogues and Daniel M. Hayes

Escalating health concerns, governmental restrictions, empty shelves at retailers, supply chain disruptions, and wild gyrations in the financial markets.  The COVID-19 virus and steps taken to reduce its spread are impacting more businesses in more ways each day.

In order to put yourself in the best position to weather this storm and recover as quickly as possible, it is vital that you consider and fully understand the defenses you or your business partners may have under your contracts, and whether you have any insurance coverage for your COVID-19 losses. Continue reading “Coronavirus Business Interruption”