Massachusetts HD 5253: A communication from the Department of Revenue (see Section 10 of Chapter 16 of the Acts of 2021 and continued by Section 3 of Chapter 55 of the Acts of 2021) regarding the emergency sick leave program as of June 30, 2022

Bill Text

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Revenue
Office of the Commissioner
PO Box 9550
Boston, MA 02114-9550

June 30, 2022

Mr. Steven T. James, House Clerk
Office of the Clerk of the House
State House, Room 145
Boston, MA 02133

Mr. Michael D. Hurley, Senate Clerk
Office of the Clerk of the Senate
State House, Room 335
Boston, MA 02133

The Honorable Josh S. Cutler, Chair
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
State House, Room 472
Boston, MA 02133

The Honorable Patricia D. Jehlen, Chair
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
State House, Room 424
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Clerks James and Hurley and Chairs Cutler and Jehlen,

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (the Department) is required to report on the
COVID-19 Massachusetts Emergency Sick Leave (ESL) program as established in
Chapter 16, Section 10 of the Acts of 2021. As initially enacted, the application deadline
for the program was September 30, 2021. The Department’s report was due by January 1,
2022.

Due to the extension of the program’s application deadline to April 1, 2022 in Chapter
55, Section 3 of the Acts of 2021, the Department informed the legislature on December
23, 2021 that it intended to submit the final report by June 30, 2022. However, because
there are a small number of claims still being processed, the Department now expects to
submit a final report to the legislature by August 31, 2022.
GEOFFREY E. SNYDER
COMMISSIONER

In the meantime, below please find information regarding ESL program claims to-date:

Taxpayers Filing 16,840
Returns 87,399
Requested Reimbursement $158,774,518.15
Reimbursement Processed $158,780,785,18
Payments Processed 43,788

If you have any concerns or require further information, please contact Nathalie Dailida,
Legislative and External Affairs Director, Department of Revenue at 617-626-2175 or
[email protected].

Sincerely,

Geoffrey E. Snyder
Commissioner

Cc: Secretary Michael J. Heffernan, Executive Office for Administration and Finance