Business tax deadlines remain unchanged by pandemic
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Revenue has recently announced several tax filing and payment deadline extensions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, filing and payment requirements and dates for taxes collected by businesses remain unchanged.
All recently announced extensions for state individual and corporate tax filing and payment deadlines are listed on DOR’s Coronavirus web page at dor.in.gov/7078.htm.
Business taxes, including sales, withholding income, food and beverage, county innkeeper’s and heavy equipment rental excise tax remain due on the standard due dates as listed on the Department of Revenue’s website at dor.in.gov/3344.htm. Interest and penalties will apply if filing and payment deadlines are missed and will not be automatically waived.
The department’s customer service team is available to help answer questions and set up payment arrangements 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. Customers with questions regarding sales, county innkeeper’s or food and beverage taxes should call 317-233-4015.
Customers with questions regarding withholding income tax should call 317-233-4016.
Insurer to issue premium refunds during pandemic
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance will give back more than $8 million in auto insurance premiums and provide clients premium refunds of $20 per eligible vehicle insured.
The amount of relief each client receives will be directly proportional to the number of vehicles they insure with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. For example, if a client has four eligible personal autos insured, they will receive $80.
This action comes after Indiana Department of Insurance announced a 60-day moratorium on insurance policy cancellations for nonpayment of premium and assessment of late fees for any policyholder in Indiana. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance has also implemented premium due date extensions from March 19, 2020 to May 18, 2020 for clients experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19.
The premium refunds will be distributed to clients automatically by check or EFT, depending upon how they currently make payments; no additional action is necessary.
Other companies also have announced breaks on premiums. Customers should check with their insurer to see if they’re eligible.
USDA launches relief program for farmers, consumers
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has started a $19 billion program to assist farmers, ranchers and consumers in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide $16 billion in direct support based on actual losses for agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted and will assist producers with additional adjustment and marketing costs resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply for the 2020 marketing year caused by COVID-19.
The program will also partner with regional and local distributors, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat.
