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 April 14, 2022
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COVID-19 Update
Case numbers as of 11:59 pm on April 7th:
- Confirmed Cases: 1,467,059
- COVID-19 Deaths: 12,566
For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
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Office of the Secretary of State
GIVE SMART: Tips for anyone considering donating to a charity, nonprofit, or relief organization
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs encourages Washingtonians to do their due diligence and conduct research on the charities or nonprofits to which they donate to support relief efforts in Ukraine.
The Charities Division offers tips for anyone considering donating to a charity, nonprofit or relief organization.
Learn more here
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Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Alert: Washington state small business owners are targeted by scams requesting payment for certificates and posters
Any Washingtonians who received letters from WA Certificate Service or Labor Poster Compliance asking them to pay for either a Certificate of Status, Certificate of Existence, or “labor law poster” should contact the Attorney General’s Office immediately. You can file a complaint online at atg.wa.gov/file-complaint or call the office toll-free at 1-800-551-4636.
Read more here
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Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Insurance Considerations in the Sharing Economy
At this time, most personal auto and homeowner insurance policies sold in Washington state don’t cover losses that occur during shared economy activities (i.e. rideshare drivers, host rentals, etc.) Many policies have specific language that states they won’t cover such losses.
Here's what you need to know
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Employment Security Dept.
New Legislation Provides Tax Relief to Employers
During the 2022 legislative session, legislators passed a bill that provides tax relief to employers in Washington.
Senate Bill 5873 (SB 5873) reduces the unemployment social tax rate for most employers in 2022 and 2023. It also reduces the 2023 social tax rates for employers who report 10 or fewer employees for the fourth quarter of 2021.
As a result of this change, the Employment Security Department will recalculate employer tax rates for 2022.
Other tax relief for employers...
Previous legislation provided additional unemployment insurance tax relief for eligible employers in 2022.
For more information about unemployment taxes, go to esd.wa.gov/employer-taxes
Lunch & Learn: Webinars for Employers
The lunch and learn series will run through December 2022. The webinars feature program experts and include dedicated Q&A time. All webinars are online and free.
Questions? Contact Leigh Rowley at Leigh.rowley@esd.wa.gov
Ask your local WorkSource Team: "What can you do for my business?"
WorkSource is a statewide partnership of state, local, and nonprofit agencies that provides an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington. WorkSource has no-cost tools and resources to help your business succeed!
Find your local WorkSource Center
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Dept. of Labor & Industries
Required Workplace Posters
Employers are legally required to display certain posters in their workplace to inform employees of their rights and responsibilities. You may order these posters or download them for free by visiting their website.
Learn more here
Employer Guide to Workers’ Rights
Learn about the workplace rules and regulations enforced by the Employment Standards Program.
Visit the Training Center to learn more
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Liquor & Cannabis Board
Making Outdoor Areas Permanent
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the LCB worked closely with members of the industry to approve temporary outdoor areas that would accommodate social distancing.
If you have an outdoor area that received temporary approval that you would like to make permanent, please contact your local Enforcement and Education Officer for a consultation. State WAC 314–03–205 outlines the requirements for serving alcohol in outside areas.
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Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance
Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR): Free Workshops
These free, one-hour webinars will provide a strong foundation of registration, licensing, and other regulatory requirements to start or grow your business. You'll connect with the Small Business Liaison Team who will also provide information about many free or low-cost assistance programs.
Explore and Register
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Tips & Reminders
National Small Business Week May 1-7, 2022
Registration for the 2022 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, “Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship,” is now open. This year’s National Small Business Week Virtual Summit will feature access to federal resources, educational workshops, and networking to help small businesses pivot, grow, and seize new opportunities. The event is free, but registration is required.
Explore & Register
Your Roadmap to Success: How to Create a Business Plan
Your business plan is the foundation of your business. Learn how to write a business plan quickly and efficiently. This free, one-hour webinar is on May 17th, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
Register Here
View ALL training opportunities from SCORE
What is a 1099-K form?
Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, all third-party network companies, including Venmo, PayPal, and Square, are required to issue 1099-K forms to merchants for card payments that exceed $600.
Here's what you need to know about Form 1099-K
Gig Economy Income is Taxable
The IRS requires all income earned from the gig economy to be reported; even if the income is temporary or not reported using a 1099 or W-2. The Gig Economy Tax Center offers tips for managing your records and taxes.
Read more here
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Newsletter Team
This newsletter is a collaborative effort by the following state agencies:
Our mission:
- Preserve the connection to businesses that have been established as a resource for future emergencies.
- Make it easier for businesses to access the state services they need.
We intend to provide a newsletter that caters to businesses by providing multi-agency content related to doing business in WA. For the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a special focus on the impacts the pandemic has on businesses. This Newsletter is not intended to replace agency newsletters, instead, it will aggregate cross-agency business-related information.
This Newsletter is published by the Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). Content contributors are limited to state agencies we do not accept content from other sources.
Feedback
Please let us know how we did with this issue of the newsletter.
We appreciate your feedback!
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