As we continue to monitor reports of the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to assure you that Shilts CPA remains committed to delivering outstanding service.
During this evolving health situation, the safety and well-being of our associates, clients, and families is our main priority. We greatly care about our communities and want to do our part to keep you healthy, keep our employees healthy and help minimize the spread of the virus. In that spirit, we are implementing more aggressive components of our Business Continuity Plan to assist in the containment of the Coronavirus and help protect us all.
Both Shilts CPA locations (Ocala & Jacksonville) are currently closed to outside visitors. We encourage clients to use other means available to communicate and send information at this time. Our professionals are available via email, phone, online meetings and video conferencing to continue to serve you.
Tax & Accounting Services
At this time, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued an extended tax deadline from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. This means taxpayers not only have additional time to file their federal income tax, but may also defer federal income tax payments, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations, and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief.
The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days per the IRS website.
We highly encourage you to send in your tax information via your OfficeTools Client Portal for the safe and secure transfer of information if you have not already done so. Our professionals are continuing to process your tax returns during this time. If you need any assistance logging in or have a tax related question, please don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking here.
You may mail documents to our offices but, again, consider using your portal for faster service.
There will be no signing of documents on-site. Your Shilts CPA professionals will electronically send documents for signature or mail required documents.
Forensic & Valuation Services
We highly encourage you to use Citrix Share File for the safe and secure transfer of information. If you need any assistance logging in, please don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking here.
You may mail documents to our offices but, again, consider using Citrix Share File for faster service.
Your Shilts CPA professionals will help coordinate the handling of the needed documentation to maintain workflow as best as possible. For the transfer of documents, again, we highly encourage you to utilize Citrix Share File.
Other Steps Being Implemented Firmwide
Other steps we are taking to help prevent the spread of the virus include minimizing the number of team members in our offices. Several of our professionals will primarily work remotely from home during this time, while others are working alternate hours, creating social distancing for those in the office. This is not new to us; Shilts CPA has embraced remote and flexible schedules for years. Our information security systems ensure that our clients’ information will remain secure, even when we are working remotely. All team members are directed to stay home if they or a family member are sick. Further measures are in place should a team or family member be exposed or contract the virus.
These steps are necessary to preserve the health of our team and help curtail the spread of the virus while upholding our commitment to you, our clients. As we continue to monitor the impact of the Coronavirus, we will keep you informed of further changes, including possible date changes of the above measures.
On behalf of all of us at Shilts CPA, thank you for your understanding and support during this challenging time. Remember, we are all in this public health situation together. We wish you, your families and your teams much good health.
Any advice contained in this article, is not intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion. If desired, we would be pleased to perform the requisite research and provide you with a detailed written analysis. Such an engagement may be the subject of a separate engagement letter that would define the scope and limits of the desired consultation services.