The $1.9 trillion relief bill, known as the American Rescue Plan, has been signed into law by President Joe Biden. Highlights of the bill include extended unemployment benefits, direct checks to individuals and more. While some of the bill was changed during its time with Congress, it’s largely similar to the initial version passed by the House. However, some key provisions, such as a higher … [Read more...]

Introduction Saving money for the things we want is a well-understood concept. If you want to buy a TV or go on vacation, you’ll have to save up for it. Simply put, you can’t expect future expenses to pay for themselves. Yet, despite this basic idea, people are still not saving for the really important expenses—emergencies and retirement. It’s easy to abstain from buying coffee for a month … [Read more...]

Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“the Act”) on March 10, 2021 and it was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The Act includes a 100% COBRA subsidy available to certain COBRA qualified beneficiaries who lose group health plan coverage as the result of an involuntary termination or reduction in hours. This is different from the original House legislation, which included an 85% … [Read more...]

Section 214 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CAA”) included optional and temporary relief for health flexible spending accounts (“health FSAs”) and dependent care assistance programs (“DCAPs”) offered in a Section 125 cafeteria plan (“cafeteria plan”). On February 18, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Notice 2021-15 providing guidance addressing these optional plan … [Read more...]

California will start vaccinating anyone 16 and over against the coronavirus starting in a few weeks, expanding eligibility to the shots along with a host of other states as a longawaited boost in vaccine supplies is in sight. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the nation's most populous state would start vaccinating anyone 50 and over in a week and the population more broadly — except those … [Read more...]

Some California residents who lost their health insurance along with their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic may face financial penalties when they file their taxes next year. The state currently has a tax policy called the Individual Shared Responsibility Penalty that fines people for not having a health insurance plan if they don't qualify for certain exemptions. The penalty is in effect … [Read more...]

Distribution and Timing The first doses of the vaccine have arrived in California. According to the CDC, people working in direct health care or in long-term care settings will receive first priority. Those with high-risk medical conditions will receive second priority. The CDC will provide directions for distribution. However, states are expected to play a big role in the distribution … [Read more...]

With the recent passage of the Stimulus Package in Congress, there were some changes pertaining to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care Accounts (DCA). The package is expected to be signed into law by President Trump. READ MORE [PDF] Stimulus Package Includes Changes to FSAS and DCAS … [Read more...]

COVID-19 and Government Funding Legislation Signed into Law … [Read more...]

New Cal OSHA Rules … [Read more...]