MSATP’s Position on the Stay-At-Home Order

All persons living in the State of Maryland are ordered, effective as of 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020, to stay in their homes or places of residences (20-03-30-01).

Tax preparation, accounting, payroll, and bookkeeping are still essential businesses. However, it may be necessary for these businesses to provide a letter under company letterhead to each employee (if they are still working from the office) stating that they are employed with their company and must work from the office. If they have employee IDs or business cards, we recommend the employee has them as well. All of this information can be used as verification if the employee is stopped by the authorities to confirm they are under the essential Executive Order.

Concerning clients, the Executive Order that was announced on March 30, 2020 only states the following reasons for people to be on the road under section II (b):

• Supplies for self, family, household members, pets, or livestock; such as groceries, supplies for needs for the home, laundry
• Medical and prescriptions
• Caring for a family member in another household or location – groceries, medical, etc
• Traveling for picking up meals/carry out, free lunches, etc
• Exercise – walking, hiking, running or biking; but only in compliance of the CDC

Non-essential businesses must stay closed; however, business owners are permitted to do the following (under Section II (iii) 1) which is considered minimal operations:

• Checking on equipment which allows other staff to work from home (telework)
• Maintaining essential property (in other words, checking to make sure a pipe did not break, etc)
• Payroll or picking up mail
• If you have live animals in labs, feeding them

There is concern regarding whether clients can pick up their tax return, but we would advise against seeing any clients as the no gatherings rule is being enforced.

Again, this is MSATP’s opinion on the situation. To read the full Executive Order, click here.