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The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services is moving to put more cash in businesses’ pockets as their sales dry up due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The department is granting an automatic extension of filing and payment deadlines for small businesses facing sales tax and room occupancy tax liabilities.

“The state needs to be taking all steps possible to provide relief to our small businesses,”Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. “This is a prudent step during this public health emergency, and I want to thank legislative leaders for their support with this effort as we work together to support our job creators during this unprecedented public health crisis.”

To qualify, businesses must have $150,000 or less in either annual sales or room occupancy tax liabilities. Businesses that collect both sales sax and room occupancy tax must evaluate each tax separately to determine eligibility.

In addition, a business must have reported $150,000 or less in tax liabilities between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019 to qualify for the relief.

Under the new deadlines, monthly sales and room occupancy tax filers will see payments ordinarily due March 31 and April 30 will be extended to May 31. For quarterly filers, their April 30 deadline has been extended to May 31.

“DRS acknowledges that small businesses may need additional time to access their records and consult with their tax preparer,” Acting Revenue Services Commissioner John Biello said in a statement. “Taxpayers who file and pay on or before the extended deadlines will not be subject to any penalties or interest.”