Below is a press release from State Representative Dave Robertson’s Office:
BOSTON, MA — With another week in a chaotic world passing us by it is my sincere hope that you can find the most recent updates to federal, state, and local policy within this article that are important to you. As with these summaries before, they are meant to provide a broad context of changes that the federal and state government has made, and continues to change, in reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak. Those with nuanced or unique questions should reach out for further clarification.
Both Tewksbury and Wilmington’s selectboards, respectively under Chair Jay Kelly and Chair Greg Bendel, have extended real and personal property tax bills until June 1st 2020. Both town’s also waived fees and penalties for late payments of any excise tax, water bills, or sewage bills with a due date starting or after March 10, 2020, where payment is made before June 30, 2020. Currently under state statute these are the maximum allowances under law, and your board members have been tirelessly advocating for maximum flexibility during this time. If the crisis persists they and I will push for additional extensions for you, the residents.
Unemployment claims still continue to spike, and we thank you for patience if you encountered an error. Our call center has expanded to over 500 employees handling issues, yet the trajectory has not slowed. If you have encountered an issue, as so many have, and need additional help we ask that when you reach out to the office you include your address and any claims issue that you may find on your online portal. If you have trouble finding where the issue is we can walk you through the steps to locate it. With this information we may “triage” claims faster by collecting information that is missing from you or your employer, resulting in faster turn around. As mentioned before, the $600 per claimant from the federal CARES act will automatically be included. Unemployment, both state or federal, is taxable and thus we recommend that you select withhold tax on your application to avoid future complications when you receive your 1099G filing form. First time filers who are interested in a step-by-step guided process can do so online at mass.gov/dua at these following times. The videos are easy to follow along, and answer many questions you may have about the process if you have been so fortunate to never have encountered it before.
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Thursday, April 16 at 1:50 p.m.
- Friday, April 17 at 1:50 p.m.
- Saturday, April 18 at 1:50 p.m.
- Sunday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.
MCAS has been waived for the 2020 year, as well as extended district reporting requirements under the recently passed Student Opportunities Act. While this legislation increased both districts funding, it also increased reporting requirements from local administration. Both school districts will have increased time to plan for improving student education, and students in grades three through ten will not be subject to the test. Commissioner Riley was also given authority to waive MCAS as part of the graduation requirement and will issue further guidance on this specific subset.
The federal government also set forth further clarification on small business assistance, and your local lender has likely begun making such loans available. If you belong to a banking institution which does not offer this, I have collected a list of institutions that are offering the program to those who are not members of their bank. Please reach out if your business falls into that category so we may refer you to their banking professionals. If you are having issues with your lender let us know, as while your loan terms are private we can provide you with support to get you the answers to questions you may need.
Many of you also may have received the stimulus checks as part of the federal CARES act via direct deposit. For those who have changed information since your last filing, the IRS has opened the online web portal to provide this updated information at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments.
It is important to note that the IRS, state, nor any other federal or local government agency will contact you unsolicited by phone for this check. These are scams, pure and simply. We will never require you to transfer any money between accounts to prove ownership, nor will we ask your social security number or other personal, private information for any reason without you reaching out to us first.
It is my hopes in the coming weeks that these updates will no longer be necessary, and I can instead update you about work and progress on our local roads, schools, and businesses. Until then be safe and well, and together as a community we will make it through stronger than ever before.
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