Mayor Broome Signs Latest Executive Order To Protect Small Businesses In East Baton Rouge Parish

Press release from the City of Baton Rouge:

November 30, 2020

BATON ROUGE, La. — November 20, 2020 — Statement by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome: “This holiday season, it is critically important for the City-Parish to take every action within our purview to help our business community, while remaining vigilant in our fight against the coronavirus. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, I signed four different executive orders to assist our small businesses.

“Today, I signed an executive order to grant a 30-day extension for East Baton Rouge Parish businesses filing local sales taxes. The returns for November 2020 will be considered timely if filed on or before January 20, 2021. I signed the same order on March 17, 2020, for the sales tax deadlines in April and May.

“Also, on March 30, 2020, I signed an executive order to exempt businesses from forfeiture of their 2020 liquor & beer license for unpaid local taxes, fees, penalties and interest.

“Finally, on August 18, 2020, I signed an executive order instituting a Local Sales Tax Penalty Amnesty Program, effectively waiving all penalties on delinquent tax payments for all 2020 tax periods made from September 20, 2020, through January 31, 2021.

“I understand the challenges small businesses face as they seek to retain employees and keep their doors open. I can assure you that keeping our economy open and maximizing opportunities for businesses are at the forefront of my mind during this pandemic.”

The local-tax executive orders:

1. Executive Order Nov. 25, 2020
2. Executive Order August 18, 2020
3. Executive Order March 30, 2020
4. Executive Order March 17, 2020

This press release was produced by the City of Baton Rouge. The views expressed here are the author’s own.