Everyone sinking in same boat
By Josh Resnek
With the economy shut down, extraordinary government and business efforts to contain the damage are being announced nearly everyday.
Governor Charlie Baker announced Friday that state taxes will not be due on April 15 this year. That date has been moved up to July 15.
This is to bring the state in line with the IRS directive ten days ago to cancel the April 15 deadline and to replace it with a July 15 deadline for filing federal taxes this year.
No penalties or late filing charges will be made by the Department of Revenue or by the IRS.
The added time is intended to give taxpayers and wage earners as well as company owners added needed months to accrue what is necessary to make the filings.
In addition, many major landlords, banks and credit companies have announced reduced or deferred rental and mortgage payments for the duration of the emergency period.
Evictions have been stopped. Foreclosures are on hold.
If a landlord is attempting to evict you, contact the Attorney General’s office and such an action will be stopped immediately.
The same holds for banks.
This is a dramatic step up from the crisis in 2007-2008 when the economy tanked and nearly collapsed.
During that crisis, millions of Americans lost their homes, their jobs, and their futures.
Hundreds of homeowners were foreclosed upon in Everett alone. Most major credit card companies are cutting deals with card holders who cannot make their monthly payments because they are no longer employed.
It is a kinder, gentler reaction to a crisis touching all of us in one way or another.