Dear Friend,

I hope you and your family are continuing to stay healthy and well. I wanted to share this message from behind the Ronald Reagan statue in the U.S. Capitol. It was by a sudden glance in walking around observing some of the damage from the events on January 6th that I saw this quote.  

Our nation possess so many gifts. We must continue to look towards Reagan's optimism to inspire us. While in the Capitol, I recorded a short video sharing my thoughts and experiences from January 6th. 

America's best days are ahead of us, and I look forward to us getting back to work this Congress with the new Administration.

Below you will find important updates on COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and information for tax filing season. If our office can help assist you or your family with any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Arizona is continuing to distribute COVID-19 vaccinations across the state. Currently, Maricopa County is serving those in phases 1A and prioritized 1B. Beginning tomorrow, those over the age of 65 will be able to register in counties that are currently vaccinating those in Phase 1B.

However, Maricopa County has not yet lowered the age for individuals 65+ to register for their vaccination. We have been in communication with county officials who have indicated the prioritization and availability is being data-driven, with additional guidance from the Arizona Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Advisory Committee; their recommendations are located here.

If you are in the Phase 1A or Phase 1B groups listed above, please use the links below to register.

• Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Registration
• Maricopa County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Registration

I recommend continuing to check both Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County Public Health websites for frequent updates. 

I also wanted to make you aware of a recent video I watched about counterfeit vaccines being sold online. Unfortunately, scammers will often take advantage of public service announcements to attempt to confuse individuals into purchasing a vaccine through phishing emails or online advertisements. 

Be sure to utilize websites from our local government health officials, or your primary care doctor, when registering for your COVID-19 vaccine. 

Paycheck Protection Program Now Open!

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will be fully re-opened for all participating lenders tomorrow, January 19, 2021 and accepting first or second-draw loan applications from small businesses. I wanted to share a few links to resources for businesses navigating this process, for either the first or second draw. 

• Paycheck Protection Program Comprehensive Guide
• First-Time Loan Application
• Second Draw Loan Application
• Small Business Administration PPP Loan Website
• U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee Resources

Please be sure to contact your local lender to confirm they are participating. If our office can be helpful for you in this process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We want to make sure every business in our community has access to the resources necessary to stay open and support their workforce as needed. 

Stimulus Check and Tax Information

The IRS has finished sending out Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) for individuals who qualify under the most recently passed COVID-19 relief package. If you did not receive your EIP through direct deposit, please closely monitor your mail. The U.S. Treasury has sent EIPs through the mail as both checks and pre-paid debit cards in envelopes labeled with a seal from the U.S. Treasury. After receiving your EIP, you should also receive Notice 1444-B in the mail from the U.S. Treasury, confirming the amount of your EIP. Please hold onto this document until you file your taxes.

Many Americans still have not received their Economic Impact Payment from the CARES Act passed in March 2020. Individuals who have still not received their first EIP will be able to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit when filing their 2020 taxes. The 1040 form that is used each year to file individual income taxes now includes a worksheet to claim this credit. All the information needed to complete this process can be found here.

IRS strongly recommends filing your taxes online and as soon as possible during this year’s filing season, which begins on February 12, 2021. The IRS has published a new website to help you get ready, which can be found here. Please stay tuned for additional updates from me on what to expect when filing your taxes this year.  

I appreciate you taking time to read my weekly e-Newsletter. If our office can ever be helpful for you, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Sincerely,

David Schweikert