Unemployment Benefits for Self-Employed and Independent Contractors
LOUISINA REALTORS • March 30, 2020
Self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and other individuals who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic and would not qualify for regular unemployment benefits under state law may be eligible to receive “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” created by the recent CARES Act. Read more here.
If provided, this assistance will be administered by the Louisiana Workforce Commission
and that office is currently reviewing the CARES Act and determining how to proceed with this new federal program. Louisiana REALTORS has been in communication with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and will provide further information when available. FAQs about COVID-19
PLEASE NOTE: States are in the process of updating their websites to reflect these new laws. For now you should file for benefits as directed on your state's website and look for information about how to receive future updates. Also, note that many states are experiencing high volumes of traffic and ask filers to be patient and persistent.

NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on state and local tax (SALT) deductions . This guide explains federal tax law changes that temporarily quadruple the amount of state and local taxes (SALT) that taxpayers can deduct and will make homeownership more accessible and affordable, especially for people in higher-tax states. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: Assistance Programs Real Estate Auctions Working with a Real Estate Attorney Making Your Home More Energy Efficient Buying a Historic Property Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on August 6, which will cover packing tips and tricks.