The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has issued additional blanket waivers retroactive to March 1, 2020 through the end of the emergency declaration to help healthcare providers contain the spread of COVID-19. The updated waivers were released on April 29, 2020 and are an update from those issued on April 21, 2020. The
Preparing for the squall of post-COVID bankruptcies: Intellectual Property rights in Chapter 11
Intellectual property comprises some of the most valuable assets a business may hold – its brands, patents, know-how, and other intangible rights that make the business unique. The intellectual property assets (IP) throughout the energy sector—upstream, midstream, downstream and service providers along the way—will be affected as more energy companies seek bankruptcy relief in the
Return to Work, Are You Ready?
Last week, President Trump unveiled his Guidelines for Opening Up America Again. The Guidelines present a three-phase, criteria-based, framework to allow individuals and employers to return to normal activities. The return-to-work envisioned by the White House calls for the easing of current restrictions, not the wholesale abandonment of those restrictions. The guidelines are not statutes
The Louisiana Department of Health Updates Order on Procedures and Healthcare Services Effective April 27, 2020
On April 20, 2020, the Louisiana Department of Health (“LDH”) Office of Public Health issued Healthcare Facility Notice/Order Notice #2020-COVID 19-ALL-10 (“Notice-10”) which supersedes prior notices and lifts some of the restrictions on medical, surgical and dental procedures as well as other healthcare services beginning on April 27, 2020. All licensed healthcare facilities and professionals
Offshore Marine Service Association’s (OMSA) Guidelines for the Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19 on Vessels
On April 16, 2020, the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) issued a memorandum providing guidance for the protection of maritime personnel on vessels during the COVID-19 pandemic. The memorandum aims to support the uninterrupted flow of the nation’s marine transportation system while maintaining the safety of maritime personnel. The guidelines contained and referenced in the
Deadlines Extended for Like Kind Exchanges and Qualified Opportunity Zone Investments
Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, a taxpayer may sell real property (the relinquished property) and replace it with real property of a like-kind (the replacement property) without recognizing tax on the sale if certain requirements are met. Two of those requirements involve deadlines: the taxpayer must identify replacement property within 45 days
UPDATE: Certain Uncertainties Resolved by SBA Regarding Payroll Costs of Partnerships and Sole Proprietors Applying for CARES Act Payroll Protection Program Loans
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law No: 116-136, the “CARES Act” or the “Act”). Title I of the CARES Act creates the Paycheck Protection Program (discussed in more detail here). Generally speaking, the Paycheck Protection Program permits certain small businesses to
Eligible Self-Employed Individuals under the CARES Act
In addition to certain entities, independent contractors, sole proprietors and “eligible self-employed individuals” may be eligible to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan under the CARES Act.
What is an eligible self-employed individual? It is important to note that the statute did not refer to “self-employed individuals” which would have been very easy for
Louisiana Tax Commission Confirms Suspension of Filing Deadlines
The Louisiana Tax Commission previously issued an advisory suspending hearings and extending property tax filing deadlines to April 13th to sync with the Governor’s Executive Order. Today, the Louisiana Tax Commission issued a revised advisory extending those deadlines to April 30th, as provided in the most recent Executive Order.
Property Tax Filing Deadline Extended to April 30, 2020
Governor John Bel Edwards has issued another Executive Order suspending legal deadlines as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. This order is more comprehensive than prior orders. In Section 5, he extends deadlines in Title 47 (taxation) until at least April 30 and confirms that administrative agency deadlines are also suspended until April 30.