The Gem January 2021

JANUARY 2021 | THE GOLF ISSUE

TEE OFF IN LA QUINTA Image from the January 2020 tournament

Discover La Quinta Medical Center At Desert Care Network’s La Quinta Medical Center Campus you’ll discover an intimate setting for hospital outpatient services.

Our services include: • The Institute of Clinical Orthopedics and Neurosciences for joint replacement, sports medicine and an array of orthopedic and neuros services

• La Quinta Imaging provides a wide array of medical imaging, including X-ray, CT and MRI scans • Desert Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer

Center satellite facility offers consultations, infusion services, and screening mammography

• Desert Care Network Primary & Specialty Care, where patients can schedule appointments with physicians in a variety of primary and specialty services

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TABLE OF CONTENTS January 2021

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06 Message from the Chairperson

What’s Happening at Old Town

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City Pages

A unique year for The American Express™

20 Ring in the New Laws

10 Patrick Eugene Swarthout

14-19 New Reporting Requirements for Independent Contractors

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THANK YOU FOR THE MAJOR SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY

MBER HA

The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) was created in 2016 NTA C QU I in cooperation with the former Coachella, La Quinta, Cathedral City and Indio Chambers, along with the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and Twenty-Nine Palms ES Band of Mission Indians. It enhances and T. 1 9 5 0 significantly improves the way businesses interact with each other and the community in the entire Coachella Valley. As a Regional Chamber, the GCVCC delivers services and benefits to its members on a scope not seen before in the area.

GCV LA

GCV LA QUINTA CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elisa Guerrero, Chairperson| Old Town Peddler Bike Rental & Repair Doug Motz | Motz-Rusin Insurance Agency Steve Weiner | National CineMedia Ray Dominguez | Lamar Outdoor Advertising Mike Chapa | Fairway Independent Mortgage Karen Lambrose | Caliber Home Loans Eric Mosser | Edward Jones Financial Advisor - Eric Mosser Steve Wilson | Optavia/Next Level Coaching - Steve Wilson Carrie Babij | Desert Insurance Solutions, Inc. Janice Isbell | La Quinta Chevrolet-Cadillac Ricardo Loretta | Dr. Carreon Foundation Kimberly Anken | Robert Half Staffing Agency Heidi McArthur | Jadabug’s Kids Boutique Ralph Piscitelli | Alzheimers Association Mike Williams | Capitis Real Estate Andy Sywak | AvantStay Jeff Fishbein | Brad Schmett Real Estate Group - Jeff Fishbein Lee Osborne | Osborne Rincon CPA’s Mickey Jumapao | Loan Depot

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CHECK OUT OUR NEW ONLINE STORE! We’re happy to announce our online retail store is now open.

You can find all of your favorite boutique pet products on our new Shopify account on our website.

THE GEM PRODUCTION TEAM THE LA QUINTA GEM IS PRODUCED BY THE GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The Gem is an official publication of the GCVCC. Circulation: Approximately 23,000.

Distributed free to all residents, Chamber members and businesses in La Quinta.

To advertise please call (760) 347-0676.

Please Note: The opinions and views expressed in all editorial material are those of the writer or person interviewed and are not necessarily those of the GCVCC, its Board of Directors, or the advertisers in The Gem. The GCVCC endorses no person, political candidate or opinion unless specifically stated. The Gem reserves the right to reject certain advertising submissions. For a list of advertising standards, please contact staff.

The Gem reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, length, and questionable content. Advertisers please note that colors may look slightly darker, or slightly lighter due to variables in the printing process. Questions or comments? Email us at info@ GCVCC.org or call (760) 347-0676.

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Message from the Chairperson Submitted by: Elisa Guerrero, La Quinta Chamber of Commerce Chairperson

Elisa Guerrero is a lifelong Coachella Valley resident and alumnus of La Quinta High School class of 2000. She and her husband are the owners of Old Town Peddler Bike Rental in the La Quinta Village, and take great pride in showcasing the area to the thousands of tourists they meet each year. She lives in La Quinta with her husband and two small children.

Hello 2021! Boy, are we glad to see you!

We have really been on quite a ride the last 12 months, haven’t we? At this time last year, who could have imagined what was to come? As I write this, we are just about to close out 2020, with the first phase of a vaccine to fight against the global pandemic rolling out and the holidays upon us. In a few short weeks, we will see the 46th president inaugurated. We are preparing to ride another wave of change and all crossing our fingers or saying our prayers that life returns to “normal” soon.

January is traditionally the time to make resolutions for the new year after taking time to reflect on the year prior. Like many of you, I have had a lot of time to reflect recently, and my personal resolution comes down to this: more kindness. Isn’t that something we could all use more of in our daily lives? As we have been navigating life in a pandemic there have been a lot of losses, a lot of changes, and a LOT of stress! It’s easy to become jaded and depressed, but kindness goes a long way to fight against that darkness.

I’ve said it before: our community has been incredible during these last 12 months, pulling together to support each other in every way imaginable. The kindness shown by complete strangers to lift each other up has blown me away. Our local businesses have felt it and while some have not been able to recover as well as we’d hope, knowing how much the community is rallying behind us is huge.

We are also encouraged to see new business still moving into our city and seeing La Quinta as a place of growth. Our city has seen a surge of home sales this past year as so many families are leaving the more urban areas and choosing to call the desert home.

We welcome all our new residents to the Gem of the Desert!

The La Quinta Chamber and Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce have continued our work to support our business community and advocate for the safe reopening of our county as soon as possible.

Keeping our local economy running and helping our neighbors keep their livelihoods is our priority, and we look optimistically to the future as we turn the page into 2021.

I’d like to invite all of you to join me in saying farewell to 2020, and as they say in the song “take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne!”

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A unique year for The American Express™ Submitted by: GCVCC Staff Each year, residents and visitors spend a few days at at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club enjoying some of the best golf has to offer. However, The American Express™ will look a little different this year. The American Express™ will be played without ticketed spectators in 2021 due to local health and safety regulations that restrict group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual PGA TOUR event held in La Quinta, California at PGA West and La Quinta Country Club will be played as scheduled and broadcast globally January 21-24.

“The health and safety of the La Quinta and Coachella Valley communities, as well as our players, volunteers and all other partners, has remained of utmost importance throughout the pandemic,” said Executive Director Jeff Sanders, President of Sportfive Golf

Events, the tournament’s management company. “While we are disappointed to announce that we will not be able to host our amazing fans at this year’s event, we will continue to work closely with the PGA TOUR as well as local, state and federal agencies to ensure the well-being of all who are allowed onsite during tournament week.”

With deadlines approaching tied into the operational logistics of running The American Express, conducting the 2021 event with ticketed spectators was not a feasible option given the current health climate in California.

The American Express will be played at the iconic PGA WEST Stadium, PGA WEST Nicklaus and La Quinta Country Club courses, January 21-24. Phil Mickelson, the 44-time PGA TOUR winner and World Golf Hall of Famer, will headline the event and serve as tournament host, competing against 155 of the best golfers in the world, including defending champion Andrew Landry.

The traditional three-day pro-am format will continue this year and be conducted within local health guidelines and with PGA TOUR COVID-19 testing policies in place for both professional and amateur players.

“The American Express will remain a platform to give back to charity again this year, supporting nonprofits in the Coachella Valley even without fans in

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attendance,” said tournament host, Phil Mickelson. “We would like to thank American Express for their amazing support along with our long-time golf fans, our Pro-Am participants and many great sponsors and partners, PGA West and La Quinta Country Club members and loyal volunteers for their continued support in this unprecedented time.”

The Mickelson Foundation became the host organization for The American Express prior to the 2020 tournament. – The Mickelson Foundation has made donations to 14 Coachella Valley-based charity organizations that are among those receiving proceeds from the 2020 The American Express™. The Mickelson Foundation has now distributed all of the ONE MILLION dollars that was raised from the PGA TOUR event which is held annually at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club.

All four rounds of The American Express will be broadcast on Golf Channel with airtimes to be announced at a later date. For more information about pro-am opportunities please contact Pat McCabe, SPORTFIVE at (503) 924-6207. For all other event information please visit www.TheAmexGolf.com.

All images are from the January 2020 tournament. All photo credit The American Express™.

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The charities receiving funds included Alzheimer’s Association Coachella Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley, Coachella Valley Boxing Club, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Desert Arc, Eisenhower Health Foundation, Family YMCA of the Desert, First Tee of Coachella Valley, Martha’s Village & Kitchen, Ophelia Project/JFK Memorial Foundation, Pegasus Riding Academy, Read With Me Volunteer Programs, The Well in the Desert and Volunteers in Medicine.

“We were thrilled to raise one million dollars for charities from last year’s event and provide needed support to worthy Coachella Valley organizations. With January’s event right around the corner, I’m excited to serve as the tournament host again, especially with a fantastic title sponsor like American Express who has committed again to raising meaningful funding through the event for organizations making a positive impact in the community,” said Phil Mickelson.

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Patrick Eugene Swarthout Submitted by: GCVCC Staff The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce recently lost a member of our team, and an outstanding advocate for the desert community and City of La Quinta. It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Patrick Swarthout, our Public Policy Analyst. We are publishing this remembrance in his honor.

Patrick Eugene Swarthout – entrepreneur, community advocate, political consultant, service dog trainer, and most importantly, family man – passed away on December 7, 2020.

He was born in Brawley, California, on November 12, 1953 to Robert and Delores Swarthout. He married his soulmate, Leah, on November 26, 2000. Aside from being a loving husband, Patrick was a supportive father who always encouraged his kids to work hard and be the best they could be. He had three sons – Ryan, Jeffrey and Todd – and a daughter, Crista. He is remembered for modeling generosity, a great work ethic and patience, and kids are forever thankful for the legacy he left with them.

Patrick retired from a thriving 30-year career in the utility industry in 2018. Community involvement was a cornerstone of his life, and he was proud be a part of the team that created the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) which merged five area chambers together. After retirement, he remained active as a consultant with the GCVCC leading state and federal legislation efforts.

Other accomplishments included serving as the chairman of the political action committee for the Desert Valley Builders Association, board chairman of the Indio Chamber of Commerce, and allocation committee chair for the United Way. He was engaged in many activities with the Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Palm Desert Chambers of Commerce, as well.

As someone who believed in “giving back,” Patrick served a number of nonprofits. He was the president and chairman for Habitat Humanity of the Coachella Valley. His passion was raising service dogs for the military and first responders with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He trained a total of 8 service dogs – four for Guide Dogs of the Desert and four for Custom Canines Service Dog Academy.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Leah; sons Ryan, Jeffrey and Todd; daughters-in-law Kate, Stacey and Whitney; grandchildren Riley, Bella, Shaina, Dakota, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Elijah and Charlie; brothers Tim and Sean Swarthout; and sister Kathy Dizney. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Swarthout; brothers Michael and Rory Swarthout; and daughter, Crista Thomas.

Memorials in Patrick’s honor can be directed to Guide Dogs of the Desert or Custom Canines Service Dog Academy. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Coachella Valley and announced at a later date due to COVID-19.

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OLD TOWN

Happy New Year!

Pedego Electric Bikes

Alexandrite Active & Golf Wear

La Quinta Olive Oil Co.

5 IDEAS FOR A HEALTHY NEW YEAR! Focusing on what we can do promotes health and wellbeing. Old Town offers a safe, outdoor space and a variety of healthy lifestyle activities & menus to start the New Year right.

Health for Body & Mind How to stay calm and carry on? Practice yoga on the lawn or take Zoom classes with Jen Yockey, owner of Gather Movement & Wellness. Feel like a whole new you after every hour of deep breathing, energizing and healing poses.For schedule, visit www.gatherlaquinta.com Hike & Bike Say “Hello Fun!” when you ride a Pedego Electric Bike. You can adjust the settings to enjoy a long, relaxing ride or opt for more of a workout. Let Pedego’s friendly staff recommend hiking trails and scenic rides around La Quinta. Grab some take-out and go!

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Nutrition To-Go If you’ve been less active than usual or have indulged in too many holiday treats, try Stuft Pizza’s delicious salmon or choose from a variety of salads for take-out or delivery. All of OTLQ’S restaurants have fresh, healthy options.

Get Fit for Golf!

Alexandrite Active & Golf Wear has the perfect footwear for a great day on the golf course.

Choose from Italian leather, spikeless shoes and new athleisure wear for golf, tennis, yoga and everyday comfort & style.

Heart Healthy Cooking Tip Cook with olive oil! To reap the health benefits of Mediterranean diets, a quality olive oil is required.

La Quinta Olive Oil Company’s oils meet this standard while offering dozens of creative flavor choices!

Sign-up for our monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on events, deals and lifestyle news at oldtownlaquinta.com

—Submitted by Old Town Staff

Sunday Certified Farmers’ Market

2021 Gallery & Shows

8 am to 12:30 pm

Weekly Gallery Hours Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 9 am-1pm

Thanks for supporting our local farmers.

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CAN A CITRUS A DAY KEEP THE DOCTOR AWAY? Citrus fruits include oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins, pomelos and more. They’re in season and several varieties grow profusely in our Valley.

Leslee Adams

Citrus Fruits Strengthen Immunity Citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient that strengthens the immune system and keeps your skin smooth and elastic.

Provide a Variety of Nutrients One medium orange has all the vitamin C you need in a day as well as good amounts of B vitamins, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and copper.

They also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

And Are a Good Source of Fiber Fiber improves digestive health and aids weight loss.

Oranges are particularly high in the kind of fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels.

Note: Because juice has more sugar, fresh fruit is the healthier choice. Too much citrus can cause tooth decay due to acid, and grapefruit can interact with medications including statins.

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City Manager’s Message By: Jon McMillen, La Quinta City Manager

Happy New Year from all of us here in La Quinta.

Happy New Year from all of us in La Quinta. We kick off the new year with some community engagement opportunities and projects happening around our Gem of the Desert. Let’s take a look at what is going on in 2021 here in beautiful La Quinta!

The annual Community Workshop will be held virtually on Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9AM – 12PM. This is an opportunity for the community to engage and give their input on upcoming projects and priorities throughout our city. Register online at www.laquintaca. gov/COMMUNITYWORKSHOP to participate. The American Express Golf Tournament will be played January 20 – 24. This year’s event will be held at La Quinta Country Club and PGA West without ticketed spectators due to the COVID-19 Pandemic however, you can catch all the action live on the Golf Channel.

A reminder that police and fire false alarm calls are on the rise and we need your help to preserve public resources for an actual emergency. Visit www. laquintaca.gov/falsealarms for a list of ways to reduce false alarms.

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side of Fred Waring Drive, the entrance on La Palma Drive at Adams Street, the east side of Adams Street, and the two retention basins within Rancho Ocotillo.

The project converts approximately 80,000 square feet of parkway, median, and retention basin including the replacement of 28,000 square feet of turf with the Desert Oasis plant palette. Construction is anticipated to be completed in March of 2021.

Construction has begun on the anticipated La Quinta X-Park Project. The contractor has now mobilized onto site, setup pm-10 and stormwater protection, begun performing survey for site and started to remove trees. This project will feature a concrete pump track, a modern street course with a variety of stairs, rails and ledges and three distinct bowls that cover the full spectrum of skill levels. The skatepark terrain will be supported by a variety of modern amenities including a state-of-the-art lighting system, restrooms, a drinking fountain, a parking lot and a 2-story pro shop.

Construction is expected to be complete in December 2021.

Finally, the City of La Quinta welcomed Curative COVID-19 testing to the Wellness Center at the end of last month. This is a free, painless self-collected COVID-19 test with results in 24-48 hours. Registration required by visiting curative.com We hope you all have a safe and happy January and remember to mask up and help support our local businesses wherever you can. They need you more than ever. Stay well La Quinta

It’s Your Library

If you haven’t yet had a chance to grab a coffee at the new Dutch Bros Coffee located at 44175 Jefferson St. The first in the Coachella Valley, La Quinta is thrilled to have them here in our community. Also newly opened is the Residence Inn by Marriott on Highway 111. This 108-room hotel is pet friendly and will welcome guests into our gorgeous city. Construction is wrapping up on the SilverRock Venue Site project and final items include completion of the Alongi building, over-seeding the park lawn, completing stucco on the restroom building, installing pavers, and landscaping around the Alongi building. Construction is anticipated to be completed in January 2021 vs December as previously reported.

La Quinta Library is now open to the public with limitations. Face coverings and social distancing mandates are in place. Occupancy is limited to 10 patrons at any time, with 1 hour visits, 1 visit per day.

We are continuing with our Express Services and all materials should be returned to the outside book drops only.

Construction is well underway on the Rancho Ocotillo Landscape Project. The contractor has completed the landscaping on Adams street, begun demo on the basins and is installing materials on Fred Waring Drive.

This fifth phase of the Measure G funded La Quinta Landscape Renovation project is located at the La Quinta Rancho Ocotillo Development on the south

NEW VIRTUAL PROGRAMS Super Sleuths Virtual Find & Seek (Ages 2-12, YouTube Channel) Premieres Wednesday, January 6 @ 6pm Break out your tweed caps and fedoras as you search the library (virtually) each month for objects hidden between the stacks. Select a level, download the corresponding worksheet, and fill it in as you find the

La Quinta Public Library is located at 78-275 Calle Tampico.

Enjoy FREE programs for all ages!

Questions? Call 760-564-4767

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hidden objects. Complete your worksheet to reveal a secret code word then visit us and secretly pass the code word to one of our librarians for a special prize.

Uncover the secret code word each month and receive a special “Super Sleuth” prize at the end of the year.

Book Club of the Desert (Ages 18+, Zoom) Thursday, January 14 @ 10:30am A new book club hosted by the Palm Desert and La Quinta Libraries. Join us as we read and discuss a different book each month. We will discuss Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Registration required, copies are limited. Visit our Book Club Page at laquintapl.blogspot.com to register and get info.

Read the World Book Club (Ages 18+, Zoom) Tuesday, January 19 @ 5:30pm Get ready for songs, stories and lots of fun with Miss Visit 11 countries in one year as we read translated books from around the world. In January, we’ll visit Canada by reading Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline.

Registration required, copies are limited. Visit our Book Club Page at laquintapl.blogspot.com to register and get info.

Impulse Affirmation Teen Book Club (Ages 13-17, Discord: discord.gg/SktcBce) Tuesday, January 26 @ 4:30-5:30pm Read what interests you, then join us on LAQLibraryTeens Discord server to talk LIVE about your passion (or disappointment)! “Live from the Library” will be open 15 minutes prior to the program’s start time.

Feel free to join us early to talk! For more information about this and any of our other Teen Programs visit laquintapl.blogspot.com.

ONGOING VIRTUAL PROGRAMS Bounce & Rhyme Baby Storytime (0-18 months, YouTube Channel) Posted 2 times per month on our YouTube Channel, families and caretakers will learn a new baby bounce, rhyme or tickle, as well as a new baby sign to practice at home. We will also review a board book that’s available for check out!

“In the Stacks” Storytime with Miss Sara (All ages, Facebook Live, YouTube) Wednesdays @ 11:15am, Facebook Live on La Quinta Public Library’s Facebook Page Get ready for songs, stories and lots of fun with Miss Sara during a live storytime on our Facebook Page!

Would you like Miss Sara to say hello to your little one during the next storytime? Send a message to our Facebook Page with the little one’s FIRST NAME ONLY.

Tell Me What to Read (Ages 13-17, laquintapl.blogspot.com) Vote for the book you want the teen librarian to read this month. Polls are live on the library’s blog from the 1st to the 15th of each month. A video review of the winning book will be posted to the Library’s Teen YouTube Channel on the 30th.

SERVICES Book Bundles - Personalized Recommendations Not sure what to read next? Let your La Quinta librarians help! Fill out the form, tell us about your reading preferences, and we’ll pick a handful of books for you. Visit https://laquintapl.blogspot.com/p/expressservices.html to fill out the form. You can also fill out the form if you need AR books for your kids! Once notified that your items are ready, you can schedule a time to pick them up through our Express Service.

Please Note: The Library will be closed on Friday, January 1 for New Year’s Day and Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. La Quinta Public Library 78275 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 760-564-4767

Community Services Online registration available at laqwebtrac.laquintaca.gov Safety measure are in place: face masks, temperature check, and simple questionnaire before attending classes. For more information, please call (760) 564-0096.

(Creative Wellness) Outdoors Line Dancing

5:30 - 6:30pm

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4 – 5pm

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6:30 - 7pm

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(Physical Wellness) Virtual Sculp Fit Core (Fitness Members) Stretch & Restore (Fitness Members) (Physical Wellness) Outdoors Essential Fitness Outdoors Mat Pilates Outdoors Tai Chi Chuan

8:30 – 9:15am

T/TH

11am - 12pm

M/TH

9 - 9:45am

T/TH

Upcoming 2021 Federal and California State Tax Assistance - Drive Up / Drop-off site at the La Quinta Wellness Center in February. Stay tuned for more information.

Check Out a New Series (Ages 8-12, YouTube Channel) Looking for a new series to read? Check out our new video series all about series books! Each month, Miss Sara will review the first book in a series so you can decide for yourself if it’s your next great read. Each review will include instructions to an activity or craft you can do at home.

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Ring in the New Laws!

Submitted by: GCVCC Staff & Law Office of Karen J. Sloat, APC As it does every year, January will usher in a new year, and with it, new laws for the State of California.

The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce routinely tracks new legal requirements as part of our broader legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of members. Below are just a few of the new rules that may impact your employment or business.

Leaves of Absence The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) will see a significant expansion with SB 1383. The bill will extend employer coverage to include all employers with five or more employees, which is quite a departure from the previous requirement for 50 or more employees.

Under SB 1383, CFRA’s definition of covered “family members” is also broader than the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). As a result, SB 1383 will impact larger employers who will have to administer CFRA and FMLA separately, with more complex analysis on a case-to-case basis. For example, an employee can take 12 weeks of leave from their job to care for a sibling under the CFRA and then another 12 weeks to tend to their own illness under the FMLA, resulting in a total of 24 weeks of job-protected leave per year. Human Resources departments will be busy!

Wages Going Up The recent annual escalation of the California Minimum Wage will continue in 2021. The law signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2015 has brought on a wage progression each year, with 2021 checking in at $13.00 an hour for employers with 25 employees or less, and $14.00 an hour for employers with more than 25 employees. Those who work or conduct business outside of Riverside County should also keep in mind that several local jurisdictions across California have their own minimum wage requirements, which may be higher than the State’s minimum. Don’t forget that minimum exempt employee salaries must also increase, to $54,080 (small employers with 25 or fewer employees) or $58,240/year (26 or more employees).

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COVID Exposure AB 685 establishes strict COVID-19 recording and reporting requirements when employers receive notice of any potential COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. AB 685 imposes several strict duties on employers, including issuing notices to different groups of employees and contractors within one business day after receiving notice of a potential COVID-19 exposure. Local employers must also notify the Riverside County Health Department if an “outbreak” (3 or more COVID cases) occurs at the worksite.

New Regulations from the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) require all employers with one or more employees to have a written COVID-19 Prevention Plan in a binder on site, with training and implementation of new procedures due as of 11/30/20.

Consult a Pro If you own or operate a business in California, several more laws that take effect in 2021 – or took effect in late 2020 – could significantly impact your business or workplace. For precise details and legal guidance, consult a labor law attorney and/or CPA. At the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat, APC, we are prepared to provide you with notices, forms, manuals and counsel.

As a reminder to all businesses, the DIR also requires all California businesses with employees to prominently post a number of labor law posters covering topics such as the minimum wage, health and safety, and other important labor laws in the workplace. These posters need to be updated annually. The Chamber can supply you with posters for 2021 that meet this requirement, and you can contact them at (760) 347-0676.

This article is provided to readers of The Gem for informational purposes only and should not be viewed or treated as legal advice. For legal renderings of new and existing State laws, propositions, or other legal requirements in your jurisdiction, consult a qualified legal professional.

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Financial Gems New Reporting Requirements for Independent Contractors Submitted by: Mary F. Barnett, Osborne Rincon CPAs If you are an independent contractor, you’ll want to note that there are new reporting requirements for 2020. The IRS has rebooted a previously used form, the 1099-NEC, for reporting non-employee payments.

The NEC stands for Non-Employee Compensation, and changes are in store for about 70 percent of filers who reported information in Box 7 of Form 1099-MISC. Starting in tax year 2020, any business – regardless of size – that pays at least $600 for services performed in the course of their trade or business by a person who is not their employee is required to file form 1099-NEC. For example, any business that has cash payments for fish (or other aquatic life) that they purchase from anyone engaged in the trade or business of catching fish must file the form 1099-NEC. Even payments paid to an attorney are required to be captured on Form 1099-NEC. The exception to this filing rule is if the independent contractor is registered as a C Corporation or a S Corporation.

It is important if you are the payer that you request Form W-9 from the independent contractor before they begin working for you. This will give you all the information you need to accurately file Form 1099NEC. The filing deadline of Form 1099-NEC is on or before February 1, 2021. For 1099-MISC, the filing deadline is March 1, 2021 if you are paper filing or March 31, 2021 if you will file electronically.

What is the difference between Form 1099-MISC and Form 1099-NEC? Form 1099-NEC is specific to non-employee compensation and has both Box 4 for Federal withholding and Box 5 for state withholding.

Form 1099-MISC has been revised and has rearranged box numbers for reporting certain income.

The biggest change is the removal of non-employee compensation. Form 1099-MISC includes, rents, royalties, fishing boat proceeds, medical and health payments, substitute payments in lieu of dividends

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or interest, crop insurance proceeds, gross proceeds paid to an attorney, fish purchased for resale other income. Section 409A covers deferrals, excess golden parachute payments, nonqualified deferred compensation, federal and state withholdings and payer-made direct sales totaling $5,000 or more of consumer products to recipient for resale.

If you need a tax advisor to ensure you are informed on all the latest tax requirements, please contact Osborne Rincon at (760) 777-7805.

Mary Barnett is an Enrolled Agent - Senior Accountant with Osborne Rincon CPAs. She has strong expertise in landscape accounting and CNG fuel sales among other areas. Osborne Rincon is one of the oldest and most respected full-service accounting firms in the Coachella Valley. To learn more, go to www.OsborneRincon.com.

Small Gifts CAN MAKE A

Big Impact

$30 FEEDS A FAMILY OF 4 FOR 4 DAYS

At Galilee Center, part of our mission is to fulfill the needs of the underprivileged and disadvantaged by providing food, clothing, and other basic needs. Every week, and during the Holidays, we hand out food baskets to families in need.

Due to the effects of Coronavirus, the need for food baskets and other emergency services has tripled.

Can you help us lift up those in need this Holiday season?

DONATE AT GalileeCenter.org/GiveNow Or mail your donation to: PO.Box 308 • Mecca, CA 92254

GalileeCenter.org • Ph. 760-396-9100

Your donation is 100% deductible.

ID# 27-3133601

SPECIALIZING IN: Medical Agriculture Professional Services Construction Country Clubs Restaurant

79-245 Corporate Ctr. Dr., La Quinta, CA 92253 · www.OsborneRincon.com · 760.777.9805

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