Yes, in limited circumstances only. Section 2302 of the CARES Act provides that employers may defer the deposit and payment of the employer's portion of Social Security taxes and certain railroad retirement taxes (collectively referred to as the “employer’s share of Social Security tax”).
The deferral applies to deposits and payments of the employer's share of Social Security tax that would otherwise be required to be made during payroll tax deferral period that begins on March 27, 2020, and ends December 31, 2020. Providers that elect to take advantage of this payment deferral may expense this liability on the Medicare cost report in the year the costs were incurred in accordance with 42 CFR 413.100(c)(2)(i)(B), which states that “if, within the 1-year time limit, the provider furnishes to the contractor sufficient written justification (based upon documented evidence) for nonpayment of the liability, the contractor may grant an extension for good cause.
The extension may not exceed 3 years beyond the end of the cost reporting period in which the liability was incurred.” Contractors may grant extensions for good cause for COVID-19-related deferrals of the employer’s share of Social Security taxes that were permitted under section 2302 of the CARES Act. Section 2302 of the CARES Act requires employers to deposit 50 percent of the deferred taxes on or before December 31, 2021, and the remaining 50 percent by December 31, 2022.
However, if employers received loans under the Small Business Act and such loans were forgiven under section 1106 of the CARES Act, then such employers are not eligible for this deferral relief.
Disclaimer Language:
The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to
bind the public in any way, unless specifically incorporated into a contract. This document is
intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law.
New: 8/26/20