The state of Ohio has reported a large amount of unemployment fraud cases in the past several months.

If you received a notice regarding unemployment that doesn't apply to you, there may have been a fraudulent claim filed under your name. If you received a PIN in the mail, a 1099-G, or your employer received a notice that you filed an unemployment claim, you need to report the fraud to the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. Here is a link to the online form to complete and submit.

The COVID-19 Business Stabilization Program established by the City of Youngstown allows eligible for-profit businesses to receive grants of up to $10,000 for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred since March 01, 2020.

The funding round will run until March 1, 2021, and applications will not be accepted after that date.

To be eligible, businesses must:

Are you a theatrical producer, talent representative, venue promoter or do you operate a live venue, live performing arts organization, movie house or cultural institution and have been impacted by COVID-19?

The SBA published new information about the PPP on Wednesday, which includes changes for the first round of funding, as well as preliminary guidance for round two.

Here are some of the key changes:

The new coronavirus stimulus package that just passed Congress provides for certain small businesses to apply for a second Paycheck Protection Program loan through March 31, 2021. Small businesses that have already taken out a PPP loan and used up the funds may qualify for another loan through this program. Rates are fixed at 1% with a two-year term, you can apply for up to 100% forgiveness, and the loan requirements are more restrictive than the first round of PPP funding.

Congress passed a bill approving a second round of $900 billion in coronavirus relief to be issued through mid-March of 2021.  In addition to more funds, the bill clarifies some very important key information for businesses.  The president is expected to sign the bill into law soon.

Here is a summary of the items that are most significant to your small business.

If you have, let your payroll provider know so you are sure to claim your payroll tax credits.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) provides for refundable payroll tax credits for employers in order to assist with the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. This tax credit went into effect on April 1, 2020 and will remain in effect until December 31, 2020.

LISC invites small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program.

This new IRS effort is called the Taxpayer Relief Initiative, and it aims to help those financially affected by COVID-19.

Taxpayers who owe taxes always had options to get help through payment plans and other tools from the IRS, and now they are expanding those tools. The revised COVID-related collection procedures will be helpful to taxpayers, especially those who have a record of filing their returns and paying their taxes on time. Here are the highlights of the Taxpayer Relief Initiative:

If you have submitted your application for the Ohio Small Business Relief Grant, please be aware that there is another step to approval. 

Be sure to check your email (and your junk/spam folder) for an email from SmallBizrelief.gov with the Subject Line: Small Business Relief Grant Application Preliminarily Approved. 

The email reads as follows:

Dear