Updates and Resources for Business
NAMM continues to monitor and post developments related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the advisements from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others, daily. We encourage NAMM members from outside the USA to contact their domestic business administration institutions and/or Chamber of Commerce, as well as their local music industry associations to learn about assistance available in your countries.
Disclaimers: Readers should be aware that given the unpredictability of the COVID-19 crisis, the federal government may alter its relief programs at any time. The information presented on this website is accurate as of the date of the posting.
The webinars below are intended as informational only and are not eligible for Professional Development credits or certificates.
Latest Updates
NAMM COVID-19 Small Business Relief Part III: NAMM Members Share Their...
Part three of NAMM’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Webinars featured NAMM members sharing their experience navigating the COVID-19 reality, accessing federal aid, and more. Panelists include Tristann Rieck of Brass Bell Music Store, Chris Syllaba of Jordan Kitt's Music, Scott Mandeville of Tim's Music, Richard Schiemer of Brighton Music Center, and Crystal Morris and Paul Ferrier of Gator Cases. Hosted by NAMM Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations, Mary Luehrsen. Watch part 1: /video/pagr/namm-covid-19-small-business-relief-resources Watch part 2: /video/pagr/namm-covid-19-small-business-relief-resources-part This webinar is intended as informational only and is not eligible for Professional Development credits or a certificate.
COVID-19 Small Business Relief Webinar Part IV: Independent Contractors and Gig...
Part four of our COVID-19 Small Business Relief Webinars provides important, time-sensitive information for independent contractors and sole proprietors in the recently passed “CARES” Federal stimulus plan. Topics: SBA Business Loans, Paid Leave Provisions, Paycheck Protection Program, Tax Rebates, Retirement Fund Rules, Unemployment Assistance, and more. Cohosted by NAMM Public Affairs and Government Relations Director Mary Luehrsen and NAMM Director of Marketing and Communications Andy Tompkins. This webinar is intended as informational only and is not eligible for Professional Development credits or a certificate.
Impact Payments Information, and SBA/PPP Loan Application and Guidelines
Recently the SBA added to its FAQ on the Paycheck Protection Program. Below is a summary of some of the more important guidance:
- In addition to the ‘number of employees’ test, you may qualify based on traditional SBA standards (such as the gross receipts test for staffing companies) or you may qualify based on the SBA’s ‘alternative size standard,’ which is a tangible net worth less than $15 million and average net income after taxes (excluded carry-over losses) for the two full fiscal years less than $5 million. Affiliate rules apply. Note that the application is not set up for either of these standards so borrowers will still need to figure that out with their lender.
- Lenders can rely on borrower’s certification as to the affiliate rules. Thus, the lender will not need to verify affiliate calculations or analysis.
- Payroll costs should use gross wages, not net wages. There was considerable confusion over this, and many lenders were applying a different standard.
- Minority shareholders with control can waive or relinquish control and no longer be deemed an affiliate.
- The $100,000 cap in “payroll costs” applies only to compensation. Benefits above the $100,000 may be counted.
- Eligible borrowers that use professional employer organization (PEO) or other payroll providers to process payroll and report payroll taxes may still report the employees towards their payroll. Any documentation provided by the payroll provider that indicates wages and payroll taxes reported to the IRS will be considered acceptable PPP loan payroll documentation. In addition, borrowers should obtain a Schedule R (Form 941) allocation schedule or other statements from payroll provider documenting the amount of wages and payroll taxes.
- Borrowers may use the previous rolling 12 months or calendar year 2019 when calculating payroll costs for the loan amount. To calculate the number of employees, borrowers may use the average number of employees per pay period over the same time periods.
- No need to refile applications based on new guidance. Borrowers may rely on laws, rules, and guidance available at the time of the relevant application. If the loan has not been processed, borrowers may revise applications based on new guidance.
- Lenders do not need to reverify Know-Your-Customer information for existing customers.
Key Provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
On March 27, the President signed into law, the $2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, providing access to financial relief for businesses during the current economic crisis. NAMM has provided a summary of member-relevant key provisions and time-sensitive employer, employee and independent contractor action items.
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Past Webinars
Additional COVID-19 Resources
Business Relief Resources
- NAMM Issues and Advocacy Resources
- Key Provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act")
- Paycheck Protection Program: US Treasury Borrowers Fact Sheet and Q&A
- SBA Paycheck Protection Details
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Respond to Covid-19 – Small Business Administration
- Step-By-Step Guide to Help Small Business Prepare to Access Fund
Global Resources
Overall
Australia
Austria
Brazil
Canada
- Canadian Music Trades COVID-19 Relief Updates
- Managing Financial Health in Challenging Times Guide
- The Government of Canada COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Retail Council of Canada Covid-19 Resources for Retailers
- Ontario Government Covid-19 Resource page
- Canadian Musician Trade: "Pushing Through the Pandemic"
France
- Coronavirus Information from the Government of France
- Updates from the French Music Instrument Makers Association (CSFI)
Germany
- German Government Aid for artists and self employed in creative industries
- Corona crisis: useful information
- Germany’s Society of Music Merchants SOMM COVID-19 website
India
Russia
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
House of Worship Resources
Now more than ever, the connections and sense of community provided by houses of worship are critical. To best navigate this new normal, take advantage of these following resources, with cutting-edge ideas, tips and technologies to help your worship service continue to thrive.
Community
Live Streaming
- NAMM Webinar: House of Worship Streaming and Production in the COVID-19 Era
- Church Video + Streaming Handbook
- How to Live Stream Your Worship Service
- Top 5 Mistakes Churches Make About Streaming
- 5 Easy Steps to Your Best Church Streaming System
- Tips for Live-Streaming Your Worship Service
- Online Church Studio Tour | Broadcast Setup for Small Churches
- Live Streaming Setup for Churches 2020
- Perfecting Audio and Video for Livestream Church Services
- How to Livestream Worship Audio
Technology and Tools
Individual Relief Resources
Emergency Funding For Artists / Music Industry Professionals
- Federal State/Local Benefit Finder
- American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund
- Artist Relief Tree
- Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund
- MusicCare's Covid-19 Relief Fund
- Musicians Foundation’s Covid-19 Emergency Aid Grant Program
- SoundGirls Coronavirus Relief (for production techs who are now unemployed)
- Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Fund
- American Federation Of Musicians
- The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund
- International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bluegrass Trust Fund
- Jazz Foundation’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund
- Music Health Alliance
- Small Business Administration’s Guidance & Loan Resources (COVID-19)
Emergency Funding for Musicians Infected with Covid-19 who Require Intensive Care
Mental Health Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line: text “HOME” to 741-741
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Support Act Wellbeing Helpline (free, confidential counseling service) for anyone working in music in Australia: call 1-800-959-500 or email admin@supportact.org.au
- Backline: a hub for artists, industry professionals and their families to access mental health and wellness resources
- Centers for Disease Control’s tips for managing anxiety & stress in regard to Covid-19
- Tour Support: response to COVID-19 includes providing one month of free online therapy through Better Help to independent touring contractors who are unemployed or were planning to join a tour that has been postponed or canceled)
- Jazz Foundation’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund
- Music Health Alliance
- Small Business Administration’s Guidance & Loan Resources (Covid-19)
Instrument Cleaning Resources
- NAMM's COVID-19 and Instrument Cleaning
- Third Round of Performing Arts Aerosol Study: Written Report of Data, Video Conversation of Results (with Lead Researchers and Co-Chairs), Let's Talk About Transmission (Video)
- The Piano Technicians Guild Suggestions for Safely Disinfecting Pianos
- CSFI's Good Practice Guide
- She Shreds Magazine's How to Disinfect Musical Instruments
- Volwein's Music: Instrument Hygiene for Musicians
- Connolly Music's Cleaning Your Brass Instruments
- CDC Cleaning Surfaces Guidelines
- Infection Control: Keeping Your Music Instruments Clean and Safe
- National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians's Instrument Cleanliness
- Amro Music's Video Series on Sanitizing Instruments: Wind Instruments, Stringed Instruments, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Saxophone, French Horn.
- How to Sanitize Your Guitar By PRS Guitars
Live Event/Sound Resources
- PLSN/FOH Covid-19 Entertainment Technology Economic Impact Survey
- Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide
- MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund
- ESTA COVID-19 Resources
- USITT Industry Resources
- Lighting&Sound America COVID-19 Resources
- Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc. (SETC): COVID-19 Theatre Resources List
- Magnum Co.: Social Distancing Gig Guide: Tips for the COVID19 Downtime
- Live Design Magazine: Coronavirus Resources: Free Online Audio Training
- Front of House Magazine: Live Event Production COVID-19 Resources
- Sound and Communications AV Industry Video Chats About COVID-19
- 4Wall Blog - Resources and Training for Continued Learning