WASHINGTON (March 29, 2020) – FEMA continues to take proactive steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic. To help serve its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) customers who may be experiencing financial hardships, the agency is extending the grace period to renew flood insurance policies from 30 to 120 days. This extension applies to NFIP flood [...]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 26) - On Monday, March 16, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Department of Revenue to provide flexibility on tax due dates to assist those adversely affected by COVID-19. Today, Department of Revenue Executive Director Jim Zingale issued an emergency order to extend the final due date for property tax payments for [...]
SARASOTA, Fla. (March 25, 2020) - With the threat of states and counties shutting down non-essential services, your Government Affairs Department at the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee is taking a proactive measure to ensure that real estate services stay open. On March 24, 2020, RASM sent letters to Sarasota and Manatee counties on [...]
SARASOTA, Fla. (March 23, 2020) - Florida’s court system operations have been reduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is open and available to anyone who wishes to file documents with the court system. In addition, the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal Help Desk remains available during regularly scheduled business hours. [...]
Florida Realtors released a new contract extension addendum that allows for time periods and dates to be extended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. ORLANDO, Fla. (March 19, 2020) – A new form from Florida Realtors – the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Extension Addendum to Contract – is now live in Form Simplicity. This form is [...]
(March 18, 2020) – Cities and states across the country are already suspending evictions and foreclosures in response to the spread of the coronavirus, but the federal government is taking the biggest step so far to keep people in their homes. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development is [...]
(March 18, 2020) - Congress has passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) providing support to American workers, families, and businesses, including the expansion of paid sick leave and family medical leave. It also includes refundable tax credits for small businesses and self-employed individuals to cover the cost of the leave. NAR’s advocacy [...]
SARASOTA, Fla. (March 18, 2020) - Sarasota County has waived water service shutoffs through April 13 for utility bills as part of its ongoing response to the coronavirus. The city of Sarasota has also promised not to shut off your water. Following state guidance, motor vehicle, driver’s license and tax transactions also must be completed [...]
WASHINGTON (AP) (March 17, 2020) – The Trump administration says individuals and businesses will be allowed to delay paying their 2019 tax bills for 90 days past the usual April 15 deadline. The extension announced Tuesday is an effort to inject up to $300 billion into the economy at a time when the coronavirus appears [...]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 16, 2020) – On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The [...]