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Wisconsin Government Relations Update: COVID-19 Response

Mar 23, 2020
Updated March 23, 2020

WI Gov. Evers Announces via Twitter a Forthcoming “Safer at Home” Order

  • Governor Evers plans to Issue a Safer at Home Order that will, among other things, close non-essential businesses in the state. The Order will be issued on March 24, 2020.
  • It is unclear at this time how the Order will define an “essential business.” In states such as Illinois, the list of exempted “essential businesses” has been fairly broad. DeWitt will update this post as soon as the Safer at Home Order is issued.
  • Governor Evers plans to issue this Order despite stating publicly in recent days that he thought such an Order may be unnecessary, and after receiving requests from, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, Speaker of the State Assembly, Robin Vos, and Assembly Majority Leader, Jim Steineke, to NOT to place additional restrictions on Wisconsin businesses

Wisconsin Small Businesses Approved to Apply for Federal Disaster Loans

  • Small businesses may receive up to $2 million in federal loans for COVID-19 related losses:
    • 3.75% interest rate for small businesses;
    • 2.75% interest rate for nonprofits; and
    • Payments may be extended up to 30 years.
  • To apply, you will need the following:

WEDC Provides Loans to Wisconsin Businesses with 20 or Fewer Employees

  • Grants available of up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with up to 20 employees to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave (including sick, family and other leave related to COVID-19).

Federal and Wisconsin Income Tax Payment and Return Due Dates Extended to July 15, 2020

  • The extended deadlines apply to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, associations, companies or corporations.
  • The extension applies to income tax payments, estimated income tax payments and returns originally due April 15, 2020.
  • Tax filers do not have to file any extension forms to be eligible for this new due date.
  • There is no limit on the amount of payment to be postponed, and there are no income exclusions.
  • No interest or penalty for the period of April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.
  • Interest, penalties, and underpayment interest for failure to make quarterly estimated tax payments with respect to such postponed federal income tax filings and payments will begin to accrue on July 16, 2020.

Links to Minnesota COVID-19 Resources