SBA Re-Opening PPP for All Lenders by 1/19/2021

A 1/13/2021 U.S. Treasury Department Press Release reported that the SBA is re-opening the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal: to small lenders on 1/15/2021, and to all lenders on 1/19/2021.   Background On 12/27/2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA 2021) was signed into law. Containing extensions and expansions of the PPP, it provides additional funding for what has been a popular provision with many small businesses included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act . . . allowing eligible employers to obtain forgivable loans for certain payroll and non-payroll purposes. Important changes from the CAA include: authorizing an additional $284 billion towards the PPP, extending the PPP to 3/31/2021, and allowing for Second Draw loans for certain smaller businesses that initially received...

SBA Announces Opening of PPP First Draw Loan Increases

A Procedural Notice has been released by the SBA to it's employees, as well as PPP lenders related to First Draw PPP Loan increases. Under the Economic Aid Act (EAA) in the Consolidated Apportionment Act (CAA 2021), certain borrowers may request an increase under certain conditions: First Draw Paycheck Protection Program Loan Increases After Enactment of the Economic Aid Act, 1/13/2021  SBA Procedural Notice Control No. 5000-20076 Increase to a First Draw PPP Loan The Economic Aid Act (EAA) permitted certain borrowers to re-apply or request an increase to a First Draw PPP Loan approved on or before 8/8/2020. In general, increases in the loan amount: may not exceed the maximum loan amount the borrower is entitled to under PPP rules, and may not exceed a total of...

SBA Releases Top Line Overview of First and Second Draw PPP Loans

In a Treasury Department Press Release dated 1/8/2021, the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration (SBA) have announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will reopen the week of January 11. To promote access to capital: initially, only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on 1/11/2021, and Second Draw PPP Loans on 1/13/2021. All participating lenders will be able to participate in the PPP shortly thereafter.  Interim Final Rules The SBA and Treasury Department recently released Interim Final Rules and other guidance. See the following related posts: SBA Releases Guidance on PPP Extension and Expansion SBA Releases Interim Final Rules Regarding PPP Second Draw Loans Additional Guidance: Top-Line Overviews The SBA also released a Top-line Overview of First Draw PPP and a Top-line Overview of Second Draw PPP. The Top-line Overview...

SBA Releases Interim Final Rules Regarding PPP Second Draws Loans

The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration (SBA) have released Interim Final Rules (IFR) regarding the permission of "second draw loans" under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recently authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA 2021). BACKGROUND CARES Act The CARES Act provided the original legislation authorizing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to qualified businesses under certain circumstances. The provision established the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which provides up to 24 weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans to eligible recipients for the purpose of maintaining payroll during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to cover certain other expenses. Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility (PPPF) Act The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility (PPPF) Act made significant modifications to the PPP, including: reducing the percentage of loan proceeds...

SBA Releases Guidance on PPP Extension and Expansion

The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration (SBA) have released Interim Final Rules (IFR) regarding the recent extension and expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA 2021). BACKGROUND CARES Act The CARES Act provided the original legislation authorizing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to qualified businesses under certain circumstances. The provision established the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which provides up to 24 weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans to eligible recipients for the purpose of maintaining payroll during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to cover certain other expenses. Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility (PPPF) Act The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility (PPPF) Act made significant modifications to the PPP, including: reducing the percentage of loan proceeds require...

CAA Doubles Meal Deductions and Makes Favorable PPP Loan Changes

The COVID-19 relief bill, signed into law on December 27, 2020, provides a further response from the federal government to the pandemic. It also contains numerous tax breaks for businesses. Here are some highlights of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), which also includes other laws within it. Business meal deduction increased  The new law includes a provision that removes the 50% limit on deducting business meals provided by restaurants and makes those meals fully deductible. As background, ordinary and necessary food and beverage expenses that are incurred while operating your business are generally deductible. However, for 2020 and earlier years, the deduction is limited to 50% of the allowable expenses. The new legislation adds an exception to the 50% limit for expenses of food or beverages provided by...

Tax Consequences of PPP Loans

If your business was fortunate enough to have applied for, and received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in connection with the COVID-19 crisis, you should be aware of the possible tax consequences of PPP loans. PPP basics The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was enacted on March 27, 2020, is designed to provide financial assistance to Americans suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April, Congress authorized additional PPP funding and it’s possible more relief could be part of another stimulus law. The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with an interest rate...