Opinion: Long-standing partners will consider best interest of community
The article below was submitted to The Danville News and the Press Enterprise as an op-ed by Columbia Montour Chamber President Fred Gaffney, following the January 25 zoning hearing in the Danville Borough.
I attended Danville Council’s public hearing on January 25th to provide The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors’ comments in support of a change of zoning on a parcel of land to allow for the development of a behavioral health hospital. Several others who provided public comments expressed concern for the well-being of the current property owners, the Sisters of Saints Cyril & Methodius. Those concerns demonstrate the appreciation for the Sisters and their property. Consider all that they have developed and maintained on those properties over many years: the Basilica, Maria Hall, Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community, and the Pre-K and Kindergarten programs. Clearly, the Sisters are much more than caring ladies in service, but also smart, successful businesswomen who have contributed significantly to the health and economic vitality of the area.
Now, the Sisters have recognized that maintaining the aging structures on this one parcel are not financially viable for them. They are attempting to work with Geisinger, a long-standing partner in providing care, to maintain as many of these structures as possible, while addressing an urgent need for behavioral care in our area. Based upon comments by Sisters Barbara Sable and Michael Ann Orlik at the hearing, I am confident that these two long-standing Danville entities will do what is in the best interests of the community and its residents if this project is allowed to move forward.
Fred Gaffney
President
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Announces 2023 Award Nominees
The Chamber will honor one award recipient in each category at its annual dinner at Frosty Valley Resort on February 8, 2023.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the nominees for the organization’s 2023 Annual Awards. The awards will be presented at the Annual Meeting. This year’s event is the 82nd for the organization and will be held at the Frosty Valley Resort on February 8th at 5:00 p.m.
This meeting provides an opportunity to recognize organizations and individuals for their extraordinary efforts in serving the community throughout the year. The Chamber will present five awards: Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Community Progress Award, and the Outstanding Citizen Award.
The Outstanding Citizen Award, the longest-tenured award, was first presented in 1970. The organization added the Small Business of the Year, the Large Business of the Year, and the Community Progress Award in 2011. The Nonprofit of the Year was first introduced in 2020.
Criteria for the awards are as follows:
Businesses with less than 30 employees that have demonstrated business leadership as evidenced by diversification and creativity in the development of new products, services, and/or markets, and who have demonstrated staying power, positive response to adversity, and community involvement are eligible for the Small Business Award. Businesses which meet the same stringent criteria and have more than 31 employees are eligible for the Large Business Award.
501(c)3 organizations with fewer than 100 employees that have met the requirements of the business of the year award and have also demonstrated aid to the community through personal and/or business resources, leadership, or support of community projects or other board participation are eligible for the Chamber’s annual Nonprofit Award.
Organizations that improve the internal/external appearance of a commercial property through new construction, renovation/restoration, or remodeling and have completed construction within the last three calendar years qualify for the Chamber’s Community Progress Award.
Individuals who are employees or volunteers of a member of the Chamber and are involved in civic activities beneficial to the Columbia-Montour region and project a positive community image are eligible for the Chamber’s highest individual recognition, the Outstanding Citizen Award.
Nominees for the 2023 Annual Awards are as follows:
Nonprofit of the Year – Sponsored by PNC Bank
- The Good Samaritan Mission – Danville, PA
- Community Giving Foundation – Berwick, PA
- Hand in Hand Family Resource Center – Berwick, PA
- Bloomsburg Children’s Museum – Bloomsburg, PA
- Central Susquehanna Opportunities – Shamokin, PA
Community Progress Award – Sponsored by World Kinect Energy & My Benefit Advisor
- Lions Gate – Bloomsburg, PA
- Bason Coffee & More – Danville, PA
- Elmdale Inn Bed & Breakfast – Bloomsburg, PA
Outstanding Citizen – Sponsored by B.I.D.A.
- Rachel Shaffer, Bloomsburg University, Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society
- Harry Mathias, Mathias Educational Leadership Consulting, LLC
Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by First Columbia Bank & Trust
- Shanty Secrets – Danville, PA
- InnoTek Computer Consulting – Bloomsburg, PA
Large Business of the Year– Sponsored by DRIVE
- Millville Mutual Insurance – Millville, PA
- MC Federal Credit Union – Danville, PA
To attend the dinner and awards ceremony in support of these outstanding nominees, register here.
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The mission of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is to represent local employers in supporting vibrant, sustainable communities in Columbia and Montour counties.
How to Improve Work Performance in 2023
When we think about how to improve our productivity, we see there are three areas that need improvement to increase professional performance: emotions, mindset, and physical health. When we harness these three aspects of our lives, then we can master our performance at work.
Mindset Mastery
Of all the things you can improve at work, mastering your mental state might be the most important. When we’re feeling negative at work, we will be less productive. Feeling stressed or depressed puts cognitive function in decline and makes problem-solving more difficult.
To master our mindset, we must start with being intentional. Being intentional means slowly and consistently directing/redirecting our thoughts to more positive outcomes. The more we do this, the more automatic it will become.
Mindset also means staying open-minded. In the changing modern business landscape, problems are best solved with novel solutions that move the company forward. Mastering your mindset means you can harness your productivity and creative output.
Emotional Mastery
When it comes to the emotional side of life, there are always opportunities for improvement at work. Emotions are a part of being human, and the goal, therefore, is not to remove our emotions but simply to recognize them for what they are saying and then consciously choose our actions rather than blindly reacting.
To master our emotions, we must be intentional in our actions. When an emotional situation comes up, try to identify the emotion you’re experiencing, ask yourself what the feeling is telling you, and then choose a responsible action in response. Being emotional—such as thinking negatively or being angry—at work can distract you from work and lower productivity.
Another aspect of mastering emotions is being in a psychologically safe space. Coming to work every day with a feeling of fear is no way to increase productivity. If you’re a leader, make sure you’re fostering a truly psychologically safe space. If you’re a worker feeling unsafe, find a trusted coworker or manager and let them know how you’re feeling. You won’t be truly productive until you feel safe at work.
Physical Mastery
Whether we’re tired, our back aches, or we have a sniffly nose, it is impossible to be at our best at work when our physical body isn’t well. Overworking, especially pushing ourselves when we’re sick, can result in burnout, chronic illness, and absenteeism—not to mention a drop in productivity.
To master our health at work, we must make changes. If you aren’t taking time for lunch or aren’t eating a balanced meal, then make an effort to do so from here on out. Ask if your company provides standing desks, which have been shown to increase productivity by up to 46%. Take breaks during the day to rest your eyes, get fresh air, or do some light stretching. When you aren’t distracted by your body, you’ll improve your performance at work.
Work – Productivity Tips
Try Calendar Blocking
Be protective of your time. Consider how much time you will need for each project and find a chunk of your calendar to schedule it in. Use these blocks for dedicated working time, and don’t allow any meetings or distractions during those hours.
Be Aware of Timing
Remember Parkinson’s Law? Your work will stretch to take up the time you give it. When calendar blocking your tasks, don’t overextend yourself. Deep work can only occur for a couple of hours at a time. Productivity goes down after that. Schedule work in small chunks and learn to manage your time.
Avoid Task Switching
Multitasking is a lie. What’s really happening is that your brain is task-switching between the two tasks quickly, which causes us to lose focus on one thing or another for a few seconds as our brain switches. This kills productivity. Avoid task switching/multitasking at all costs.
Use Performance Reviews
During a performance review, areas of improvement may not be listed or discussed. If they are, pay particular attention to what is suggested and see how it might integrate with your new productivity hacks and habits. If not, don’t be afraid to ask your leaders for more specific feedback.
Final Thoughts
There will always be opportunities for improvement at work. If you want to learn more about harnessing your power and becoming more productive, then you should explore Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Book. From controlling mindset and emotions to setting up an intentional life, this book can help put you on a path to better work (and life) performance.
As an owner of the Dale Carnegie Mid-Atlantic franchise, McKonly & Asbury is able to offer an extension of services to our clients and friends of the firm, expanding our expertise in the areas of leadership, team building, and people development as Dale Carnegie offers programs in leadership, management development, customer engagement, service, sales, communication, and more.
Member News – January 25, 2023
Montour Preserve Habitat Restoration Work Day Accomplishes Much
Thanks to 21 volunteers, 4 staff and 132 hours worked, MARC's habitat restoration work day cleared invasive species of brush, and restored 3.8 acres of open field habitat for local bird species. Way to go!
Craft Catering Achieves Five for Five on Wedding Wire and The Knot
Congratulations to Craft Catering, who recently achieved milestone status - "five stars, for five years running", on WeddingWire and The Knot. Specifically, Craft Catering has been awarded the lone "2023 Couples Choice Award" in the catering division in the Scranton region on WeddingWire. The award recognizes local wedding professionals who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Winners are determined by the review from more than one million WeddingWire couples. For the second year in a row, The Knot has also rated Craft Catering as "Best of Weddings". Hat's off to Toni-Ann and company!
DRIVE Receives NREDA 2022 Organization Excellence Award
Students are Back!
Students returned to Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg Campus last Friday, in advance of the Spring semester. Welcome back!
DTB Horizons Featured on "The Fatherhood Challenge" Podcast
Lenora Edwards, owner of DTB Horizons, was recently featured on this podcast to talk about speech and brain development and emotional regulation for dads. Tune in!
Congratulations Bloomsburg Children's Museum Science Fair Winners!
On Thursday, January 19, the Bloomsburg Children's Museum hosted it's annual science fair. Students from across the region participated in the event, which was open to the community. Check out the full list of winners and some awesome pictures from the event in the science fair's annual impact report!
Bloomsburg YMCA Releases 2022 Annual Report
The Bloomsburg YMCA has been busy! Check out their annual report here.
First Columbia Bank & Trust Employees Give Back
In 2022, First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. employees raised $6,282 during dress down days for charities and community organizations. Congrats!
Geisinger Nurse Sara Renz, RN Featured in "Careers that Work"
PBS recently featured Sara Renz, RN in this video about the life of an emergency room nurse.
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Announces New Fiscal Controller
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Jamie Carnes, a 5-year staffer, has been promoted to Fiscal Controller. Carnes began her career in finance over 10 years ago, gaining experience in financial statement preparation, general ledger activity, and capital spending management. Her career with SEDA-COG began with her role as a Finance Analyst where she served several different departments. Read more about Jamie.
Bloomsburg Fair Queen Named PA State Fair Queen's Miss Congeniality
Congratulations to Abigail Jerome, the 2022 Bloomsburg Fair Queen, for being named Miss Congeniality at this year's PA State Fair Queen Competition.
Commonwealth University President Appointed to DRIVE Board of Directors
Dr. Bashar W. Hanna, president of Commonwealth University, has been appointed to serve on the board of directors for DRIVE. Read more.
Service Electric Cablevision Deploys Fiber-to-the-Home
Northumberland, Pennsylvania – Service Electric Cablevision, a leading provider of residential and business Internet, TV and Phone services is excited to announce it has completed deploying Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) to residents in a Snyder County network expansion area south of Selinsgrove, PA. Residential and Commercial customers in the Selinsgrove expansion area now have access to fast, reliable matching download and upload Internet speeds ranging from 100M to 2 Gig, Plume Whole-Home Wi-Fi, TiVo Stream IPTV service and Home Phone.
“It is exciting to provide a high quality wired broadband service to residents of an area where no such service was previously available, especially when delivering service over a totally fiber optic network. The Snyder County network expansion consisted of approximately 20 miles of fiber routing and passed over 300 homes.” said Sam Haulman, General Manager of the Sunbury System. “We are also pleased to announce that construction has started on another FTTH network expansion project located in Mount Pleasant Township, Columbia County. This build consists of approximately 50 miles of fiber routing and will pass over 500 homes. Service is expected to be available to residents late in the first quarter of 2023.”
Please visit www.secv.com/ftth to learn more about the available services.
RENAISSANCE JAMBOREE TO RETURN TO MAIN STREET
After four years, the downtown festival will return to Main Street in Bloomsburg on April 29. For more information, visit www.downtownbloomsburg.org.
KAWNEER TO HOST WEBINAR: UNDERSTANDING WHICH ARCHITECTURAL GRADE ALUMINUM WINDOW IS BEST & WHY
Stay ahead of changing construction methods and code requirements. Partnering with The American Institute of Architects, Kawneer's next webinar will help businesses understand the types of aluminum windows, current testing standards, installation methods and performance. Register here.
MCKONLY & ASBURY TO HOST WEBINAR: THE WHAT, WHEN AND WHY OF QUALITY OF EARNINGS - JANUARY 26, 2PM.
Learn about Quality of Earnings reports, why they are beneficial to business owners or acquirers, and learn how it can be used to assist with business planning. The webinar is free, and offers one "specialized knowledge" CPE credit. Register here.
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TO HOST PARENT AWARENESS NIGHT JANUARY 26
TURKEY HILL BREWING COMPANY TO HOST JOHN MORGAN KIMOCK JANUARY 26
LIONS GATE APARTMENTS TO HOST KEVIN HAILE THURSDAY
Lions Gate Apartments is hosting free community events. On January 26, Kevin Haile returns with piano and percussion from 6pm - 8pm.
Thomas Beaver Free Library to Host Winter Sowing Demonstration January 28
The Thomas Beaver Free Library Will Host Penn State Extension Master Gardeners for a Winter Sowing Demonstration on Saturday January 28, 2023 at 11am. Get a head start on next year without spending too much money! Jump-start your garden!
The Barn at Frosty Valley to Host Open House Sunday, January 29
Are you or someone you know engaged? Visit the barn and onsite accommodations and connect with the venue's representatives. One lucky couple will win a free wedding! Learn more!
Susquehanna Valley United Way's United in Recovery Program to Host Student Event January 30
DJ Choices and SVUW’s United in Recovery program are joining forces to educate students in Warrior Run School District about the dangers and consequences of illegal drug use. By using popular music and spectacular lighting effects, students will attend a special school assemble and hear true, heartfelt stories from special guests who have been affected by substance use disorder. Programs and resources will then be shared with students to empower themselves or refer others for help.
The event will take place on Monday, January 30th, 2023 and will feature two different school assemblies. (Middle School: 9:30am - 10:30am, and High School: 1:45pm - 2:45pm.) Location: Warrior Run Middle School Auditorium, 4860 Susquehanna Trail, Turbotville, PA 17772
MCKONLY & ASBURY TO HOST FREE CYBERSECURITY SEMINAR FEBRUARY 1
Join David Hammarberg, Partner and leader of the firm’s SOC, Cybersecurity, Forensic Examination, and Information Technology practices, as he discusses the top 10 security practices your firm should currently be doing or implementing in the next year. Security is always changing, and organizations need to assess risks and mitigate those risks quickly. Each attendee should leave knowing they have some actionable steps to make their organization more secure. Register here.
Bloomsburg Public Library to Host Valentine's Day Card-Making Event for Kids February 4 at 10am
Extra cards will be delivered to local nursing homes.
Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. To Host Downtown Businesses & Local Residents February 7
Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. (DBI) is hoping to hear from community stakeholders- including downtown businesses and local residents, to better support and energize the downtown. If you are interested in being a part of the conversation, join DBI's Board of Directors on Tuesday, February 7 at 6pm at Brewskis.
BUCKNELL SBDC TO HOST BUSINESS STARTUP BASICS: THE FIRST STEP - FEBRUARY 9, 9:30AM
Learn about applications and licenses needed to start a business, different types of business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc., financing options, presented by a local banker, types of insurance a new business will typically need, presented by a local insurance agency, and SBDC Services available as you start your business.
NORTH SHORE RAILROAD CREATES "SHOP MANUFACTURED LOCAL" CAMPAIGN
On social media, North Shore Railroad has kicked off a new campaign this month, highlighting businesses which don't have boutiques or storefronts, but which manufacture their products right here in Pennsylvania, and ship them via freight. Be part of the campaign and support your neighboring businesses by searching and using the hashtag #SHOPMANUFACTUREDLOCAL.
Montour DeLong Fair Dates Announced
This year's event will take place July 24 - 29, 2023.
Local Officials Adopt Chamber Code of Conduct
In December 2022, the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors adopted a code of conduct to encourage greater collaboration among elected and other officials. The document was developed in response to increasing polarization and unprofessionalism among people in leadership positions, resulting in organizational dysfunction and decreasing engagement in the decision-making process. Elected officials and governing bodies, including non-profit organizations, are invited to adopt the code of conduct.
Following an invitation to non-profit organizations, elected officials and governing bodies to review, adopt and hold themselves accountable to the code of conduct, several organizations indicated that they are reviewing this code of conduct, as well as like codes of conduct which may exist within their industry.
Earlier this month, the Columbia County Commissioners, the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) and the Millville Area School District, respectively, each formally adopted the Chamber Code of Conduct for their own organizations. Special thanks to these organizations for their commitment to decorum, professionalism, collaboration, and an open decision-making process.
To review their commitments or to make one for your own business, non-profit, or community organization, visit the Code of Conduct page on our website.
Special Election: January 31, 2023
On January 31, 2023, the polls will open (7:00am to 8:00pm) in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder County for a special election for Senator in the General Assembly for the 27th District. This special election follows the November 30 resignation of long-time State Senator John Gordner, who held the seat from 2003 – 2022. The Pennsylvania Constitution, Article II Section 2 dictates the process for such an election, which must take place within 60 days of the writ of election issued by the presiding officer of the chamber in which the vacancy occurs. Former Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman issued such a writ in December prior to leaving office to assume his role as U.S. Senator for PA.
By way of the legislative reapportionment that went into effect December 1, 2022, the district map for this special election now includes all of Columbia, Northumberland, Montour and Snyder Counties, and parts of Luzerne County.
Source: Ballotpedia
Candidates vying for the seat are PA Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver (Republican), and Patricia Lawton (Democrat).
Looking for more information about this special election? Visit the PA Department of State website. Looking forward to the election, but not sure what to expect? Did you know that the PA Department of State also has voting system demos for each county as well as links to contact each county’s election officials?
Chamber supports zoning change for behaviorial health facility
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is supporting a change of zoning request on a parcel in Danville that would allow the development of a new behavioral health facility. The property, currently owned by the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, is zoned residential. Geisinger is asking Borough Council to change the zoning to highway commercial to allow for the development. Council is scheduled to consider the matter at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 25th at 6:00 p.m.
If the zoning change is granted, Geisinger would purchase the property and partner with Acadia Healthcare to provide acute care for adult mood disorders, trauma and stress-related disorders, and older adult/geriatric and child/adolescent psychiatric units. Acadia Healthcare manages 238 facilities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including over 30 behavioral health centers in Pennsylvania.
“Behavioral health services are a critical need in our area, and have increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Fred Gaffney, Chamber President. “People in need of services are taking up emergency room beds in local hospitals, increasing the demand for human services, and preventing them from reentering the workforce, which is a critical issue for local employers of all sizes. While this facility would not be able to serve everyone in need, the situation only gets worse each day with current, limited treatment resources in our area.”
The location was chosen due to its close proximity to other Geisinger facilities. Once developed, the hospital would generate new tax revenue for the Borough and job opportunities. The Chamber Board is encouraging the Borough to not only approve the zoning change, but work with Geisinger during the land-development process to develop the facility efficiently, while balancing the safety and other interests of the surrounding community.
Member News – January 18, 2023
Renaissance Jamboree to Return to Main Street
After four years, the downtown festival will return to Main Street in Bloomsburg. For more information, visit www.downtownbloomsburg.org.
Guest Post: Geisinger: Cold and flu symptom remedies (that actually work):
Chicken noodle soup can feel like a cure-all because of its anti-inflammatory properties, but not all cold and flu remedies are as effective. See which tips to embrace and which to erase. Check out the full blog post.
Guest Post: Zimmer Insurance: The Ultimate Guide to Buying Tires
Check out this great guest post from Zimmer Insurance - did you know that 9% of crashes are tire-related?
Guest Post: The Good Insurance Group, LLC: How to Prepare for a Snowstorm
Here's some great safety tips - especially important - don't forget your furry friends during a winter storm!
Kawneer to Host Webinar: Understanding Which Architectural Grade Aluminum Window is Best & Why
Stay ahead of changing construction methods and code requirements. Partnering with The American Institute of Architects, Kawneer's next webinar will help businesses understand the types of aluminum windows, current testing standards, installation methods and performance. Register here.
PA CareerLink to Host Recruitment Event January 19
The PA CareerLink will host a recruitment event for The Merrick Group, including entry level nuclear positions at the Berwick Power Plant from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Call (570) 387-6288 for more information.
Bloomsburg Public Library and PA CareerLink to Host Introduction to Google Apps - January 20, 11am
Held at the library on January 20, at 11:00am, this program is offered to both beginners and intermediate level learners who hope to unlock the fantastic tools built into their Google accounts.
Thomas Beaver Free Library Invites You to Super Saturday - There's Something for Everyone!
On January 21, drop in from 10am to 2pm for rock painting, crafts, building and other fun activities for kids of all ages!
McKonly & Asbury to host Webinar: The What, When and Why of Quality of Earnings - January 26, 2pm.
Learn about Quality of Earnings reports, why they are beneficial to business owners or acquirers, and learn how it can be used to assist with business planning. The webinar is free, and offers one "specialized knowledge" CPE credit. Register here.
Bucknell SBDC to Host Business Startup Basics: The First Step - February 9, 9:30am
Learn about applications and licenses needed to start a business, different types of business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc., financing options, presented by a local banker, types of insurance a new business will typically need, presented by a local insurance agency, and SBDC Services available as you start your business.
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TO HOST PARENT AWARENESS NIGHT JANUARY 26
TURKEY HILL BREWING COMPANY TO HOST JOHN MORGAN KIMOCK ON THURSDAY NIGHTS IN JANUARY
LIONS GATE APARTMENTS TO HOST KEVIN HAILE
Lions Gate Apartments will host free community events. On January 26, Kevin Haile returns with piano and percussion from 6pm - 8pm.
TOWN OF BLOOMSBURG ANNOUNCES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
STEINBACHER, GOODALL & YURCHAK TO HOST 'TRUST TAKEOVER' WEBINAR JANUARY 24
MCKONLY & ASBURY TO HOST FREE CYBERSECURITY SEMINAR
Join David Hammarberg, Partner and leader of the firm’s SOC, Cybersecurity, Forensic Examination, and Information Technology practices, as he discusses the top 10 security practices your firm should currently be doing or implementing in the next year. Security is always changing, and organizations need to assess risks and mitigate those risks quickly. What use to be seen as cutting-edge security has become essential for organizations. You know what I’m talking about if you have recently filled out a cyber insurance application. We will discuss how each organization’s goals should be to move their security footprint further and further to the next level. Each attendee should leave knowing they have some actionable steps to make their organization more secure. Register here.
NORTH SHORE RAILROAD CREATES "SHOP MANUFACTURED LOCAL" CAMPAIGN
On social media, North Shore Railroad has kicked off a new campaign, highlighting the businesses which don't have boutiques or storefronts, but which manufacture their products right here in Pennsylvania, and ship them via freight. Be part of the campaign and support your neighboring businesses by using the hashtag #SHOPMANUFACTUREDLOCAL.
IRS Issues Rules for Online Sales Reporting
Source: Lindsay Young, Principal with McKonly & Asbury
For those of you who have been on the edge of your seat about the Form 1099-K reporting changes, the official rule has been set as of December 23rd, 2022. If you enjoy selling items on Facebook, sending payments using Venmo or PayPal, or using a Third-Party Network for business transactions, stay tuned to the below information on what to expect.
In September, an article was posted to explain what Form 1099-K was and the changes that have been made to the reporting threshold for 2022 throughout the year. This article discussed the official status of those changes for 2022 taxpayers.
Prior to 2022, the monetary threshold to receive a Form 1099-K was $20,000 with 200 sales related transactions. If both of these requirements were met, then a Form 1099-K would be issued and received by the taxpayer to report as income on their tax return.
The 2021 American Rescue Act changed these requirements. The new threshold was set at $600 with no minimum number of transactions. This means that if you sell something on a platform, such as Facebook, for $600 or more, you receive a Form 1099-K that needs to be reported as income on your 2022 tax return.
There was also a bill that was introduced in Congress on March 15, 2022, to raise the threshold from $600 to $5,000. This bill was called the Cut Red Tape for Online Sales Act. For those of you who have been following, that was three different changes for the same tax form for 2022. You might be asking yourself, “Now, what is the actual rule of thumb for 2022?”
On December 23, 2022, the IRS announced a delay in the $600 minimum reporting threshold. This means that the third-party settlement organizations will not have to report the transactions on a Form 1099-K unless they follow the original threshold rules prior to the 2021 American Rescue Act.
The AICPA sent letters to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees expressing their concerns. They warned that the lower threshold would lead to significant confusion in the tax system over the next several months. They were also concerned that this would lead to misunderstandings for taxpayers and lead to a growth in the IRS correspondence and processing backlog.
Notice 2023-10 from the IRS announced it will regard the calendar year of 2022 as a transition period for the enforcement and changes made by the 2021 American Rescue Act. Returns filed for calendar years before 2023 are not required to report payments in settlement of third-party networks transactions unless the gross amount to be reported exceeds $20,000 and the number of transactions exceeds 200.
For years after 2022 it will enforce the $600 de minimis reporting threshold. The AICPA is continuing to call and try to convince Congress to raise the limit for consecutive years to $5,000 instead of $600 or institute a cost-of-living adjustment. Be sure to look out for information on the changes and differences for the 2023 tax year.
Below is a table to help keep these changes in order to make it easier to follow. Again, the 2022 tax year will proceed as normal with the original threshold limits of $20,000 with 200 or more transactions.
| Threshold Limit | Number of Transactions | |
| Original Threshold – 2020 | $20,000 | 200+ |
| American Rescue Plan Change – 2021 | $600 | 1+ |
| Cut Red Tape Proposed Change – 2022 | $5,000 | 200+ |
| Official Ruling as of 12.23.2022 | $20,000 | 200+ |
If you would like to talk to one of McKonly & Asbury’s professionals in our Entrepreneurial Support & Client Accounting Segment on this topic or any other business-related topic, please do not hesitate to contact us via our website, at https://www.macpas.com/contact-us.
Chamber Grieves Friend & Mentor Dr. Vincent J. Matteo
Last week, the Chamber industry in Pennsylvania lost a giant. Dr. Vincent J. Matteo, former President and CEO (retired) of the Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, passed away on January 9, 2023 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. A friend and mentor to Chamber executives across the Commonwealth, Dr. Matteo served as a Chamber professional in central and northeast Pennsylvania for 37 years. In service to the profession, Dr. Matteo was especially involved with the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals, where he left an indelible mark on the lives and careers of those around him.
Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Fred Gaffney is one of those individuals impacted by the legacy of Dr. Matteo. He said, "Since I began working for the Chamber in 2002, Vince had been a mentor to me and many others in the profession across the state. You always wanted to have a seat at the table with Vince. Our sincere condolences to the Matteo family and the team at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce."
Dr. Matteo's obituary was published in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, and may be found here.