Brian's Bookkeeping, Payroll & Tax Service

05/18/2021

Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order prohibiting governmental entities in Texas — including counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities, or government officials — from requiring or mandating mask-wearing. Public schools may continue to follow current mask-wearing guidelines through June 4. After June 4, no student, teacher, parent, or other staff member or visitor can be required to wear a mask while on campus.

Beginning May 21, local governments or officials that attempt to impose a mask mandate or impose a limitation inconsistent or conflicting with the Executive Order can be subject to a fine of up to $1,000.

What are your thoughts?

05/17/2021

The question was asked today: “Can I tell my customers and employees they must show proof of being fully vaccinated before coming to work maskless?”

We’re not attorneys. Therefore, my reply to that person and you is merely my opinion.

First, there is no case law I’ve found that addresses the pandemic we’ve faced and whether someone can be forced to produce a medical record by a business or employer. What I have found is HIPPA laws which protect private health information and to require a patron or employee to produce private health information would violate state and federal law.

In Texas, Gov. Abbot specifically addressed this issue by signing an executive order. See it here:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.khou.com/amp/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/abbott-bans-government-mandated-vaccine-passports-in-texas/285-bcfc3c31-6ed3-4f41-8e30-981143c3b2ec

It’s only my opinion: be careful as a business and employer what you require when it comes to the production of private health information.

Texas agencies and political subdivisions will not be allowed to create a so-called “vaccine passport” requirement, according to a new Executive Order

05/17/2021

What are your thoughts? Should Texas and other states reject the $300 weekly unemployment benefits?

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05/17/2021

Today’s the Day! Have you filed your federal tax return or are you living on the edge?

05/10/2021

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05/07/2021

Will i need to amend.

when might I see my refund?

05/07/2021

The State of Montana is cancelling all unemployment and instead giving a return to work bonus to those who return to work. What’s your thought?

05/02/2021

Lumber prices skyrocket more than 250%.... Will we see a price drop soon?

https://www.ketk.com/news/national/lumber-prices-skyrocket-nearly-250-impacts-suppliers-and-buyers/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwAR3dKIIgukI-co7HJ-qnWgcA4BLtxHHDbx3v4ZbSYG7Px1axgjoJBcu9rMc

Lumber prices are up about 250% since April 2020, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Local suppliers and buyers are feeling the impact.

04/29/2021

Experts warn of gas delivery issues across the US.... here’s why:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/27/business/summer-gasoline-shortage/index.html?utm_content=2021-04-27T22%3A07%3A07&utm_term=link&utm_medium=social&utm_source=fbCNN&fbclid=IwAR0S-xlUPuxBbYt3TwdnHaKghaNhJTKJvBU8k22qFfwAHlR4jKSgyHK_ni4

04/29/2021

We’ve been asked by several followers when refunds may take place for those who received unemployment benefits in 2020 and potentially overpaid in taxes on those benefits. The short answer: Refunds are slated to begin in a matter of days.

An estimated 40 million Americans collected a combined $580 billion in unemployment insurance benefits in last year, according to a report by The Century Foundation.

In most years, those who filed for unemployment would have paid income taxes on that money. But thanks to a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act, the first $10,200 of 2020 unemployment benefits for individual taxpayers will be waived (double that to $20,400, if you’re married filing jointly and both people filed for unemployment insurance last year).

Since the American Rescue Plan was signed by President Biden after many Americans already filed taxes, the Internal Revenue Service released a statement in March asking taxpayers to hold off on amending their returns while they implemented the new program.

Now, the agency's website informs taxpayers to expect refunds on their unemployment taxes beginning this May for anyone who filed before the waiver was established and therefore overpaid on their taxes or received a smaller refund than they were owed.

The refunds will happen in two waves:

Waive 1: Taxpayers eligible for the up to $10,200 exclusion who have already filed 2020 taxes claiming their unemployment insurance benefits; and

Waive 2: Married filing jointly taxpayers who are eligible for the up to $20,400 exclusion, and others with more complex returns.

The first refunds are expected to begin in May and will continue into the summer. There's no need to file an amended return unless you need to claim additional credits not included in this tax exclusion waiver.