GRA Weekly

January 19, 2023

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner Green Line Rates.

TASTE OF GEORGIA

14th Annual Taste Of Georgia Legislative Reception

This annual event is an opportunity for GRA members to showcase their food to elected officials and for our legislators to network with our state’s second largest employer. The honorees of the 2023 Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program will also be recognized.

GRA Restaurant Members: If you are interested in participating and showcasing your restaurant, contact us today!

Attendance is complimentary for lobbyists, dignitaries, legislators, and staff, however registration is required. Discounted registration is available for GRA Restaurant Members.

IRS UPDATES

IRS reminds employers of January 31 deadline for Form W-2, other wage statements

Employers must file their copies of Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement and Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements with the Social Security Administration by January 31. Additional information on how to file can be found in Topic No. 752, Filing Forms W-2 and W-3.The January 31 deadline also applies to Forms 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation filed with the IRS to report non-employee compensation to independent contractors. For more information on this and for other due dates, see the Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC (PDF). Learn more.

IRS: Georgia, Alabama storm victims qualify for tax relief; April 18 deadline, other dates extended to May 15

Storm victims in parts of Georgia and Alabama now have until May 15, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup counties in Georgia and Autauga and Dallas counties in Alabama qualify for tax relief. Other areas added later to the disaster area will also qualify for the same relief. The current list of eligible localities is available on Tax Relief in Disaster Situations. Learn more.

CITY OF ATLANTA

Drive-Thrus to Be Restricted on Ponce De Leon and North Avenue

In October 2022, Atlanta City Council Member Amir Farokhi (District 2) introduced Ordinance 22-O-1773, which would set new zoning requirements for the Ponce De Leon and North Avenue corridors that restrict new construction of drive-thru and drive-in facilities, including eating and drinking establishments; this change will not affect existing drive-thru establishments or establishments currently under construction. The ordinance was found favorable on substitute by the Zoning Review Board on January 9, 2023 and adopted on substitute by the Council on January 17, 2023.

FEDERAL UPDATES

DOL Online Assessment Tool for Hospitality Employers to Ensure Compliance When Hiring Minors

The US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division produced this self-assessment tool to help employers comply with the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. It reflects some of the most common problems encountered in the hospitality industry. You can use this tool to help evaluate your level of compliance. You are not required to use this tool, but you may find it helpful in preventing problems and achieving compliance with the federal child labor provisions. Learn more.

2023 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

Join Us in Washington for National Restaurant Association's 2023 Public Affairs Conference

The National Restaurant Association will be hosting its annual Public Affairs Conference again this year. The conference will be held June 19–21 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C. This is the opportunity to meet the Georgia Congressional delegation and advocate on behalf of our industry. GRA will be organizing and releasing our schedule of Congressional meetings in the upcoming months. Conference attendees who register before March 31 will receive 50% off conference pricing. We encourage you to register early for the special rate and secure your room as soon as possible.

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SAVE ON ELECTRIC RATES!

Public Service Commission Renews Rate

Late December 2022, the Public Service Renewed the Time of Use – Food and Drink rate for another three years, giving the restaurant industry a win even before the new legislative session starts. The rate was initially approved in 2019 after the GRA brought forward a rate case to increase the number of restaurants included in this special rate, one that was previously only available to large chains. If you would like more information about the rate and how to enroll, please contact Scott Bierman.

The Time to Save on Electricity Costs is NOW!

The Georgia Restaurant Association fought hard for restaurants to have access to a rate that was previously only available to large, multi-unit chains. If you are a restaurant that uses Georgia Power, identifies as 722 in NAICS, and meet the actual peak demand requirement of not less than 30 kW, then you should reach out and ask about switching to the TOU-FD. We have heard testimonies from independent restaurants from across the state reporting an average savings of 10%-15% on their power bill.

You may contact Georgia Power’s Business Solutions Center directly at 1-888-655-5888. If you have any questions, you can contact us and we are happy to assist to the best of our ability or connect you with a trusted partner.

Background: Every 3 years, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) holds hearings regarding the electricity rates suggested by Georgia Power. In 2019, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) filed a rate case with the PSC against Georgia Power. There are over 80 different electricity rates. Restaurants and other medium businesses pay more for a unit of electricity than residential consumers and large manufacturers. Prior to 2020, large chains and franchises paid less for a unit of electricity than an independent restaurateur. The GRA successfully petitioned opened 3,000 slots for any restaurant filed as 722 of the NAICS to have access to the lower rate. The new rate is called Time of Use Food and Drink (TOU-FD).

GREEN LINE RATES

SEVEN TAX INCENTIVES

Seven Tax Incentives Georgia Businesses Should Consider

The state of Georgia offers a variety of tax incentives that make investing and expanding your business in Georgia attractive. As we approach the end of 2022 and look ahead to next year, the following are a few incentives that you should consider.

FOOD CODE WEBINAR

Serving updates to the Food Code

The latest version of the Food Code is out and includes changes on food allergen labeling, meat cooking requirements, and food donation.

Join Patrick Guzzle, Association VP of Food Science and Safety, and Dr. Ben Chapman, Agricultural and Human Sciences Department Head at North Carolina State University for a webinar detailing how recent changes affect day-to-day operations and keep guests safe.

By the numbers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness each year.
The bottom line: A single foodborne illness outbreak can cost restaurants up to $3M, according to research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.