The Canadian Toy Association

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Government Funding

Track the latest COVID-19 legislative actions on GovTrack.org.

Economic Relief Package Updates

March 11, 2021 - President Biden signed off on a new $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, known as the "American Rescue Plan," providing additional emergency federal relief to Americans and businesses. The bill includes an additional $1,400 stimulus check to individuals earning up to $75,000 but not exceeding $80,000 a year; extends and expands certain pandemic-era unemployment benefits; introduces a new child tax credit; sets aside $350 billion for states, cities, tribal governments and U.S. territories; and offers a $86 billion bailout for failing multi-employer pension plan, among other new provisions.
December 27, 2020 -President Trump signed off on another economic package that included an additional $600 stimulus check to Americans earning up to $75,000, extended and expanded certain pandemic-era programs, and put $284 billion toward a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, including $12 billion designated for minority-owned businesses.
June 19, 2020 - The Small Business Administration (SBA) and Department of Treasury (DoT) announced updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Responding to requests from a group of U.S. Senators, updates were made to add transparency to the PPP and require additional information about PPP loans to businesses be made public. The SBA also made a dedicated online tool available to small businesses and non-profits to be matched with lenders in the PPP ahead of the application deadline, which was extended through August 8.
May 15, 2020 - PPP Loan Forgiveness Application. The SBA, in consultation with the DoT, released the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application. The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities. The application period has closed.

Department of the Treasury

The Federal Reserve

Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility - The Federal Reserve Board on the extension of its Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility, or PPPLF, until June 30, 2021.
Main Street Lending Program - The Federal Reserve Board on the expansion of the scope and eligibility of this program

IRS Resources

IRS Guidance on the deductibility of business expenses paid with the proceeds of forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
General Tax Relief Information
Tax Relief Information for Businesses and Tax-Exempt Entities
Online Resources for Small Business and Self-Employed Taxpayers:
- Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center: Online resources for taxpayers who file Form 1040 or 1040-SR; Schedules C, E, and F; or Form 2106 as well as small businesses with assets under $10 million.
- Filing and Paying Business Taxes: Electronic payment options.
- Independent Contractor or Employee: Correctly determine whether individuals providing services are employees or independent contractors.
- Small Business Taxes: The Virtual Workshop: Everything a new business owner needs to know to help meet federal tax obligations.
- IRS Video Portal for business: Contains A-Z information for business owners and self-employed individuals in a video format.
- Small Businesses TCJA Training Materials: The IRS continues to implement the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which affects individuals, businesses, and tax-exempt government entities.

Toy Association Member Call Series

View the series of COVID-19-related webinars and conference calls aimed at providing Toy Association members with guidance and information. More recent webinars that tackle additional topics surrounding the pandemic's impact can be found here.

April 24 COVID-19 Call – Provides an initial overview of likely workplace and employer requirements for reopening businesses.
April 15 COVID-19 Call – Detailing human resource employer/employee issues under coronavirus stimulus relief bills.
April 9 COVID-19 Call – Addressing tax implications of the CARES Act for toy businesses.
April 2 COVID-19 Call - Covering SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program and other programs available to help small businesses.

U.S. Department of Labor Resources

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): employee paid leave rights, barring further federal intervention to extend the law, additional paid leave under the act will expire December 31, 2020
Guidance on wage issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Guidelines for how companies can prepare their workplace for COVID-19
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 website, including information specifically for workers and employers
Unemployment insurance guidance
Unemployment Benefits finder by state

State Updates

Here’s a look at how each state is responding and what that means for your business. Here's a state-by-state tracker of closure orders, reopening plans, travel restrictions, etc.

Send this grassroots letter to your local legislators to help ensure toys remain accessible during pandemic.

Trade Updates

April 20, 2020 - Administration Defers Payment of Certain Duties for Struggling Businesses
April 1, 2020 - Mexico Shuts Down Nonessential Businesses

International Updates

Resources for Hong Kong Businesses

Anti-epidemic Fund − offering relief and assistance to Hong Kong businesses and individuals
Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS) – offering wage subsidies to encourage eligible employers to retain employees and help minimize mass lay-offs

How COVID-19 could affect business contracts (source: KPMG)
Hong Kong’s SME Financing Guarantee Scheme – enhanced to offer a 100 percent loan guarantee to small and mid-sized businesses that have suffered at least a 30 percent decline in sales turnover since February. Companies across all business sectors are eligible.

ICTI Ethical Toy Program

The Responsible Purchasing Practices Guidance offers best-practice recommendations for purchasing practices to help buyers manage risks, protect business continuity, and safeguard workers through the COVID-19 crisis and recovery
Regularly updated actions being taken by the IETP in response to COVID-19

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

COVID-19 Protective Measures

CDC - General Information about COVID-19
World Health Organization (WHO)
- Suggested basic protective measures
- Dispelling myths about COVID-19
EPA - The Best Disinfectants to Use Against SARS-CoV-2
Ready.gov - What to do in a pandemic

Virtual Meeting Tools

Google now offers free access to advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities to all G Suite customers globally
Microsoft offers a free six-month trial globally for a premium tier of Microsoft Teams
Zoom, the long-time free conferencing tool, has created a dedicated resource page to help users get the most out of its services

Project Management

Basecamp is a project management and team collaboration system
Slack is a remote collaboration tool and chat room app for businesses
Award and recognize employees from afar with WooBoard
Help stay on task with tools like iDoneThis or ToDoist