Retail Merchants of Hawaii Guidelines

RMH’s HAWAII RETAIL RE-OPENING GUIDELINES & CHECKLIST FOR SHOPPING SAFE DURING COVID 19

  • RMH has come out with Hawaii Retail Re-Opening Guidelines and Checklist for Shopping Safe During Covid-19.
  • The protocols we propose are based on the National Retail Federations recommendations that were developed in accordance with CDC guidelines and benchmarking between leading retailers who have shared their operational experiences.
  • A recovery committee was formed that included RMH Retail members from local and national brands, small stores to large box stores, essential and non essential businesses.  Their input along with best practices from other companies are the result of this.
  • RMH Board of Directors approved these Guidelines and Checklist
  • This is for general informational purposes only and only regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The following checklist represents ONLY a guidance that is building upon already existing best practices and is intended to highlight key topics to consider as retailers seek to re-open operations. This is not intended to be government mandates, rules or regulations, or legal advice.
  • We also recognize that there are many categories of retailers from grocers to convenient stores to kiosks, apparel stores to hardware stores, to crack seed shops to department store to big box stores…   Because of this, operations, limitations and the setup of every store vary.  Hawaii retailers’ facts and circumstances are unique compared to other businesses.

 

COVID 19 PAID LEAVE TAX CREDIT FOR SMALL AND MIDSIZE BUSINESSES

Small and midsize employers can claim two new refundable payroll tax credits.  The paid sick leave credit and the paid family leave credit are designed to immediately and fully reimburse eligible employers for the cost of providing COVID-19 related leave to their employees.

Here are some key things to know about these credits.

Coverage

  • Employers receive 100% reimbursement for required paid leave.
  • Health insurance costs are also included in the credit.
  • Employers do not owe their share of social security tax on the paid leave and get a credit for their share of Medicare tax on the paid leave.
  • Self-employed individuals receive an equivalent credit.

Fast funds

  • Reimbursement will be quick and easy.
  • The credit provides a dollar-for-dollar tax offset against the employer’s payroll taxes
  • The IRS will send any refunds owed as quickly as possible.

To take immediate advantage of the paid leave credits, businesses should use funds they would otherwise pay to the IRS in payroll taxes. If those amounts are not enough to cover the cost of paid leave, employers can request an expedited advance from the IRS by submitting  Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19.


For details about these credits and other relief, visit Coronavirus Tax Relief on IRS.gov.