Government Agencies, Companies and non-profit organizations are all gearing up to support small businesses being impacted by COVID-19. Read more below.
State Taxes
The North Carolina Department of Revenue is providing penalty relief for taxpayers affected by the Novel Coronavirus. Penalties being waived include:
The penalty for failure to obtain a license (G.S. 105-236(a)(2);
The penalty for failure to file a return (G.S. 105-236(a)(3))
The penalty for failure to pay tax when due (G.S. 105-236(a)(4)); and
The penalties regarding informational returns (G.S. 105-236(a)(10)).
Additional Details
Affected Taxpayers who cannot meet their filing or payment requirement as a result of COVID-19 should complete Form NC-5500, Request to Waive Penalties (“NC-5500”). Affected Taxpayers should write “COVID-19” on the top of the NC-5500.
On March 19, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Revenue announced penalty relief for taxpayers paying income tax due on April 15, 2020. For State income and franchise tax returns originally due on April 15, 2020, the Secretary of Revenue has extended the time to file the returns to July 15, 2020.
The North Carolina Secretary of State will not consider Annual Reports which are due to be filed on April 15th delinquent until after June 15th. This applies to corporate and some partnership entities with a fiscal year ending December 31st, 2019. Businesses are still encouraged to file only by April 15th if possible.
In Notice 2020-18 (PDF), the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced special Federal income tax return filing and payment relief in response to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency. As a result of the relief, the deadlines to FILE and PAY federal income taxes are extended to July 15, 2020.
Small Business and Residential customers of Spectrum who face difficult economic circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic will not have their internet, TV, or voice service terminated. In addition, the company will not charge late fees for those customers facing difficult economic circumstances related to the pandemic.
ParkDurham has suspended issuing parking citations for nonpayment at the paystations and overtime parking until further notice. However, staff will continue to issue parking citations in the downtown area for illegal parking in loading zones, sidewalks, fire lanes, bus lanes, ADA parking spaces, crosswalks, etc.
Curbside Delivery Zones
ParkDurham has temporarily converted on-street metered parking spaces in downtown Durham to Curbside Delivery Zones. Customers are strongly encouraged to only park for the actual time needed to pick up restaurant orders. The zones are in response to Governor Cooper’s executive order that closed all restaurants and bars in North Carolina except for takeout and delivery orders. Once Governor Cooper’s executive order is lifted, the spaces will return to on-street metered spaces.
The City of Durham and its Small Business Advisory Committee are ready to help you bounce back from the pandemic.