SBA Update: Final Rule Makes Investing in 8(a) Firms Easier Than Ever!
As PilieroMazza has been reporting, the Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued its much-anticipated final rule, which updates and clarifies many regulations that impact small businesses. The revised regulations impact not only small businesses but also firms in preferential procurement programs like the 8(a) Program and individuals and larger businesses that do business with these firms. Of these amendments to the regulations, there are three that loosen ownership restrictions on the minority owners in 8(a) firms and should be welcomed by . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act, Part 6: Reporting Requirements Back In Effect, Deadlines Looming
On December 23, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a stay on the preliminary injunction that halted enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), pending resolution of the government’s appeal of the decision granting the injunction. Thus, the CTA’s reporting requirements are once again in effect, subject to FinCEN’s revised filing deadlines discussed below. See links here to Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , and Part 5 in this series. In response to the stay of the preliminary injunction, . . . Read More
December 2024: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors
Once again, the specter of a government shutdown looms over the federal contracting community. The federal government is set to run out of funding on December 20 due to an impasse during final negotiations over added spending. The expected timeline for renegotiations is making it ever more likely that a protracted shutdown of over a month will occur. Below are key steps your business should take to mitigate the possible negative impacts of a government shutdown, along with shutdown-related labor and . . . Read More
SBA Update: Final Rule Appears Beneficial for IT Value-Added Resellers
As PilieroMazza covered here on December 17, 2024, SBA issued its much-anticipated final rule in response to the proposed rule it issued in August and the hundreds of public comments it received. One area of particular interest for IT value-added resellers (ITVARs) is how SBA finalized its proposed rule pertaining to the use of tax returns to determine a firm’s annual revenue for small business purposes. At first blush, we think the final rule—which will take effect on January 16, 2025—is . . . Read More
SBA’s Final Rule Is Here: Key Takeaways on Updates to HUBZone Program, Other Small Business Programs, and Various Small Business Matters
On December 17, 2024, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published a final rule that will make changes to its regulations for the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program, clarifying certain policies. PilieroMazza recently covered the proposed changes (linked here ), which impact not just the HUBZone Program. This final rule goes into effect on January 16, 2025, “will apply to existing contracts,” and makes several amendments impacting all GovCon small businesses. PilieroMazza ’s Government Contracts Group will release various blogs on different aspects of the final rule . . . Read More
Read Before Increasing Wages! Unraveling the Minimum Wage and Salary Basis Test Mayhem
2024 ushered in the implementation of and challenges to several wage and hour initiatives by the Biden Administration, most notably, adjustments to the salary basis test and Executive Order 14026, which raised minimum wages for government contractors. In both cases, U.S. federal courts intervened, issuing decisions that will shape how employers approach wages in 2025 and beyond. Keep reading to find out the key points contractors need to know before January 1, 2025. Overview The Biden Administration, through the . . . Read More
Seldom-Discussed CMMC Effects on a Defense Contractor’s Business
The Department of Defense (DOD) has finally promulgated its Final Rule (Rule) implementing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, which goes ‘live’ on December 16th. There is plenty of content summarizing what the Rule is. Here, PilieroMazza attorneys offer their opinions on some of the practical effects, consequences, and strategies federal contractors can take away from the Rule and the DOD’s commentary. This blog touches on potential protest arguments flowing from the Rule, the Rule’s effect on small businesses and joint . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act, Part 5: Voluntary Reporting
In this fifth installment of PilieroMazza ’s series on the reporting requirements associated with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) (see links to Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , and Part 4 ), we discuss the nationwide preliminary injunction halting enforcement of the CTA. While reporting companies formed prior to January 1, 2024, need not comply with the CTA’s January 1, 2025, Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) filing deadline, and reporting companies formed in 2024 similarly need not comply with the CTA’s ninety (90) day BOIR filing . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act, Part 4: Reporting Requirements Temporarily Suspended
As you may have been following, PilieroMazza previously reported on the requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the reporting requirements that are associated therewith ( Part 1 , Part 2 , and Part 3 ). On December 3, 2024, in the case of Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. et al. v. Garland et al., the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the CTA that applies nationwide. In its ruling, the court found that the “CTA is . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act, Part 3: Filing Extensions for Businesses Affected by 2024 Hurricanes
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced a significant relief measure under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) for businesses affected by five hurricanes impacting the U.S. in 2024. Hurricane relief extends the deadline for submitting a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) by six months for companies that meet specific criteria. Please visit this link for Part 1 and this link for Part 2 in this series. Which Companies Qualify for the Extension? To qualify for this extension, a reporting company must meet two . . . Read More