The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), a $2.2 trillion stimulus package designed to mitigate the effects of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”). The legislation includes relief for businesses and individuals, assistance to states, and key protections for workers. It is expected that the President will promptly sign…

By Executive Order, Governor Cuomo has temporarily extended the validity of all New York State driver’s licenses and non-driver ID cards that expire on or after March 1, 2020. Therefore, a New York State driver’s license or non-driver ID that, in all other respects, shows the person to be at least 21 years old but is…

The New York State Liquor Authority took several actions at it’s meeting today (March 24, 2020) to provide economic relief for alcohol beverage retailers suffering hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic: Renewals – The SLA is waiving the requirement to submit renewal fee payments along with renewal applications for the next 60 days. …

On March 23, 2020, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (Department) issued N-20-1 (see link below) that provides guidance related to the abatement of interest and penalties associated with sales/use tax filings and remittances due March 20, 2020. In addition, the Department created a website containing other information regarding its response to…

The state Department of Agriculture & Markets has issued guidance authorizing restaurants to temporarily become retail stores, selling various food that they already have in stock but have not been able to use due to the ban on sit-down eateries. The Department mentioned as examples “packaged food items such as raw pasta, flour or sugar,…

Attorney General Letitia James today issued the following statement asking any employee who believes that their employer is in violation of labor laws or official directives set forth by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office to contact the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s Labor Bureau and file a complaint: “Each and…

The federal Small Business Administration has begun accepting applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans from businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. These loans are designed to provide working capital to help small businesses meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to…

New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica announced that our request to defer the sales tax payment due today was denied, but the state will waive penalties and interest for late sales tax payments by businesses.

The SLA has posted this notice on it’s website: Licensing Due to the availability of office staff, the service window at our Zone 1, New York City and Zone 3, Buffalo offices will be closed until further notice. At this time, we encourage you to: Mail all applications to: NYS Liquor Authority PO BOX 782772…

We were pleased to learn during a conversation with the State Gaming Commission that the Lottery plans to work with retailers statewide that are affected by the COVID-19 public health issue. The New York State Lottery has communicated to all agents that Lottery sales are not suspended as a result of COVID-19. Lottery agent that close…

Our ABC’s of the ABC Law and Alcohol Training Awareness Program training sessions scheduled for April 6 at the Long Island Hilton have been cancelled due to the restrictions on public gatherings put in place by the State of New York. We hope to reschedule these training sessions for the Fall.

The Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association joined with the New York State Restaurant Association today to request Governor Cuomo defer the sales tax payment due this Friday, March 20th (Sales Tax Deferment Letter to the Governor).  In addition to our request numerous public officials have made similar requests including most members of the Democratic…