State-by-state Coronavirus Guidelines | Tax & Unemployment Resources

State-by-state Coronavirus Guidelines: Tax Relief & Unemployment Updates

Has your business slowed or completely shuttered operations because of the coronavirus? If so, you can take solace in the fact that there are both federal and state initiatives to fall back on.

In addition to the two federal acts, Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), there are also state actions. To aid businesses and workers, states have implemented tax relief (e.g., extensions) and unemployment assistance programs. 

So, what’s your state doing to combat the effects of coronavirus? Use our state-by-state coronavirus guidelines to find out. 

Federal coronavirus-related relief acts

The government is providing federal aid to individuals and businesses suffering from the coronavirus.

To provide financial relief to employers and businesses during the coronavirus, the government has passed legislation that provides:

  • Low-interest loans
  • Employer tax credit for paid leave
  • A government-issued cash payment
  • Income tax extension—from April 15 to July 15  
  • Social Security tax deferments

Along with giving businesses federal relief, the government has also passed new laws to relieve employees during the pandemic. Relief measures for employees include:

  • Paid family and paid sick leave benefits
  • A government stimulus check
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Nutrition aid
  • Income tax deferments
Looking for more coronavirus-related information? Check out our COVID-19 Resources Center!

State-by-state coronavirus guidelines

Some precautionary measures states have taken to protect individuals and businesses include:

  • Closing schools 
  • Shutting down gyms and fitness centers
  • Canceling community gatherings and large events
  • Shutting down restaurants and bars to dine-in customers
  • Establishing stay at home orders (e.g., California)
  • Keeping only essential businesses open (e.g., grocery stores)

In addition to the above precautions, many states are also implementing aid programs to assist businesses and workers statewide. Find out what your state is doing for you and/or your business by checking out our state-by-state breakdown below. 

Alabama

As of March 28, Alabama is under a stay-at-home order until further notice.

To learn more information about Alabama’s coronavirus precautions, take a look at the following resources:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Alaska

Alaska’s governor ordered a statewide shelter in place on March 27. As coronavirus cases continue to grow, Alaska also banned most travel within the state.

Find out more information about Alaska’s tax relief, unemployment programs, and more using the resources below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Alaska does not have a state income tax. 

Unemployment

Arizona

Interested in learning more about Arizona’s measures? Check out the following resources:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) recommends that individuals returning from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Orleans, or any international location should self-quarantine for 14 days. 

Learn more about Arkansas’ relief effort by checking out the following:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

California

California was the first state to set a mandatory stay-at-home order to combat the coronavirus. The state is also urging individuals to practice social distancing, especially essential employees.

You can learn more about California’s relief efforts by checking out the information below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment, disability insurance, and paid family leave

Other resources

Colorado

Colorado has followed suit and has put a temporary stay-at-home order in place till April 11. 

To find out more information about Colorado’s measures during the coronavirus outbreak, explore the resources below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Connecticut

Residents of Connecticut are being urged by the governor to stay at home. All nonessential and not-for-profit businesses are temporarily closed until April 22. Businesses that don’t comply could face civil fines.

Check out more about Connecticut’s measures to combat coronavirus below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

D.C.

All nonessential businesses are closed in Washington D.C. until April 24 and D.C. is asking residents to stay at home. 

For more information about what D.C. is doing in response to COVID-19, take a look at the following resources:

D.C.’s COVID-19 pages

Tax relief

Unemployment

Delaware

To learn more about Delaware’s initiatives, check out the resources below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Florida

Florida’s governor issued a stay-at-home order effective at midnight on April 3. Take a look at some of Florida’s coronavirus guidelines below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Florida does not have a state income tax.

Unemployment

Georgia

Use the state resources below to learn more about Georgia’s response to COVID-19:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Hawaii

Learn more about Hawaii’s relief efforts by checking out the resources below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment, state disability insurance, and paid family leave

Idaho

Take a look at what Idaho is doing in response to the coronavirus:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Illinois

You can learn more about Illinois’ initiatives using the following resources:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Indiana

For more information on Indiana’s coronavirus response, take a look at the following resources:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Iowa

If you’re interested in learning more about Iowa’s coronavirus response, use the resources below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Kansas

Check out the following resources to learn more about Kansas’ coronavirus initiatives: 

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Kentucky

Use the following links to learn more about Kentucky’s COVID-19 response:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Louisiana

Interested in learning about Louisiana’s coronavirus-related actions? Use the links below for more information:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Maine

Use the following links to learn about Maine’s coronavirus response:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Maryland

For more information on Maryland coronavirus initiatives, take a look at the following links:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Massachusetts

Take a look at Massachusetts’ response to the coronavirus using the resources below:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Michigan

In addition to actions like declaring a state of emergency, check out what Michigan is doing in response to COVID-19:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Minnesota

Use the following resources to learn what Minnesota is doing in response to the coronavirus pandemic:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Mississippi

What’s Mississippi doing in response to COVID-19? Use the following resources to find out:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Missouri

Take a look at what Missouri is doing in response to COVID-19:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Montana

For more information on what Montana is doing in response to COVID-19, check out the following resources from the state: 

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment 

Nebraska

Although there is not a statewide stay-at-home order, Nebraska has imposed quarantine directions on a number of counties

For more information on what Nebraska is doing in response to COVID-19, check out the following resources from the state: 

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Nevada

Nevada has taken state action against the coronavirus by ordering nonessential businesses to close their doors to the public, promoting social distancing, and closing schools. Nevada’s taxation offices are also closed to the public. 

You can learn more about Nevada initiatives using the following links:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Nevada does not have a state income tax. 

Unemployment

New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s fight against the coronavirus includes a state of emergency declaration, emergency orders requiring telecommuting for schools and public gathering prohibitions. 

For more information about New Hampshire initiatives, check out the following resources:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

New Jersey

New Jersey has a statewide stay-at-home order in place

Check out the resources below to learn more about New Jersey’s actions in response to the coronavirus:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment, earned sick leave, and temporary disability 

Other resources

New Mexico

New Mexico has declared a state of emergency, authorized emergency funds for children and families, and ordered business closings. 

For more information on how New Mexico is responding to the coronavirus, check out the following resources:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

New York

New York’s response has included work-from-home orders for nonessential workers and statewide school closings.

Learn more about New York’s coronavirus response using the following links:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment and paid sick leave

North Carolina

North Carolina has implemented a stay-at-home order, extended tax filing, and expanded unemployment benefits. 

For more information on North Carolina initiatives, view the state resources below. 

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

North Dakota

North Dakota provides a number of resources for businesses and workers. Check out the following North Dakota pages for information on the state’s coronavirus response. 

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Ohio

Ohio has taken numerous steps to slow the spread of coronavirus, including implementing a stay-at-home order. 

Check out what Ohio is doing in response to COVID-19:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Oklahoma 

The state of Oklahoma has taken actions in response to coronavirus such as closing state offices, expanding unemployment benefits, and deferring tax payments.

Here are some resources to learn more about Oklahoma’s coronavirus response:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Oregon

In addition to declaring a state of emergency, Oregon has issued a stay-at-home order and urged social distancing.

Check out the following Oregon resources to learn more:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s action against coronavirus spread includes a stay-at-home order by county. 

Click the following links to learn more about the state’s response:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Rhode Island

Rhode Island has implemented a stay-at-home order, remote learning for students, and a number of resources for workers and businesses. 

Take a look at some of the state’s coronavirus guidelines below: 

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

South Carolina

In response to the coronavirus, South Carolina has taken actions such as extending the income tax deadline and providing numerous resources.

Check out the following resources to learn more about South Carolina’s coronavirus response:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

South Dakota

South Dakota’s coronavirus executive order asks residents to stay at home, use social distancing, and adjust business operations. 

For more information on the state’s coronavirus response, take a look at the following resources:

State COVID-19 pages

Tax relief

South Dakota does not have a state income tax. 

Unemployment

Tennessee

Find out how Tennessee is responding to the coronavirus pandemic with the following resources:

State COVID-19 pages

Tax relief

Unemployment

Texas

Take a look at the following resources for more information about Texas’ coronavirus response:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Texas does not have a state income tax. 

Unemployment

Utah

Use the following state resources to learn more about Utah’s coronavirus response:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Vermont

For information on Vermont’s coronavirus response, check out the following resources:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Virginia

Virginia has declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19. You can learn more about the state’s actions using the following:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Washington

Want to learn more about what Washington is doing in light of the coronavirus? Use the following resources to find out:

State COVID-19 pages

Tax relief

Washington does not have a state income tax. 

Unemployment

West Virginia

Take a look at West Virginia’s state resources relating to coronavirus:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Wisconsin

Check out the following resources available from Wisconsin:

State COVID-19 page

Tax relief

Unemployment

Wyoming

Take a look at the following Wyoming resources relating to coronavirus:

State COVID-19 pages

Tax relief

Wyoming does not have a state income tax. 

Unemployment

This is not intended as legal advice; for more information, please click here.

Stay up to date on the latest payroll tips and training

You may also be interested in: