Minnesota Department Of Revenue To Issue Business Relief Payments

Press release from the City of Shakopee:

December 21, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Revenue will send COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to eligible businesses under a $216 million economic relief package signed into law Dec. 16.

Eligible business owners do not need to take any action to receive this aid. The Department of Revenue will determine eligibility and payment amounts based on the program requirements that were included in the legislation and outlined below.

Eligible Businesses

This program provides direct payments to businesses required to temporarily close or reduce services in November under Executive Order 20-99. Businesses in the following categories, as reported by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance program, may be eligible:

• Full- and limited-service restaurants
• Cafeterias and buffets
• Caterers
• Bars
• Breweries with taprooms
• Family wineries with tasting rooms
• Distilleries with tasting rooms
• Bowling centers
• Gyms and fitness centers

Program Requirements

The Department of Revenue will send payments to eligible businesses that meet the rest of the program requirements:

• Located in Minnesota
• Had at least $10,000 in taxable sales in 2019
• Filed Sales Tax returns in 2019 and 2020
• Experienced a 30-percent drop in year-over-year taxable sales for April-September periods
• Required to temporarily close or reduce services by Executive Order 20-99

Relief Payment Amounts

Eligible businesses will receive a payment based on their number of employees and participation in the state Unemployment Insurance system. The payments are considered taxable income and will be calculated as shown below.

This press release was produced by the City of Shakopee. The views expressed here are the author’s own.