SBA Covid-19 Loans for Businesses

 

Paycheck Protection Program

 

The Paycheck Protection Program  prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

Under this program:

• Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.
• Loan payments will be deferred for six months.
• If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.

Go to:  https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-programto learn more.

More Information Below (after the next two programs)

 

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance

 

To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, go to https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/

 

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.

SBA Debt Relief

The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.

Under this program:

• The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
• The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.

 

SBA Express Bridge Loans

 

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program  allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan.  If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.

Terms

• Up to $25,000
• Fast turnaround
• Will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan

Find an Express Bridge Loan Lender by connecting with your local SBA District Office

 

SMALL BUSINESS PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

 

The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

Fully Forgiven

 

Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.

 

Must Keep Employees on the Payroll—or Rehire Quickly

 

Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.

 

All Small Businesses Eligible

 

Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors— are eligible. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries.

 

When to Apply

 

Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply. We encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.

 

How to Apply

 

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. A list of participating lenders as well as additional information and full terms can be found at ww.sba.gov

COVID-19 EMERGENCY LOANS

 

Am I ELIGIBLE?

 

You are eligible if you are:

• A small business with fewer than 500 employees

• A small business that otherwise meets the SBA’s size standard

• A 501(c)(3) with fewer than 500 employees

• An individual who operates as a sole proprietor

• An individual who operates as an independent contractor

• An individual who is self-employed who regularly carries on any trade or business

• A Tribal business concern that meets the SBA size standard • A 501(c)(19) Veterans Organization that meets the SBA size standard.

 

 In addition, some special rules may make you eligible:

• If you are in the accommodation and food services sector (NAICS 72), the 500-employee rule is applied on a per physical location basis

• If you are operating as a franchise or receive financial assistance from an approved Small Business Investment Company the normal affiliation rules do not apply

 

REMEMBER: The 500-employee threshold includes all employees: full-time, part-time, and any other status.

 

What will lenders be LOOKING FOR?

 

In evaluating eligibility, lenders are directed to consider whether the borrower was in operation before February 15, 2020 and had employees for whom they paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent contractors.

 

Lenders will also ask you for a good faith certification that:

 

1. The uncertainty of current economic conditions makes the loan request necessary to support ongoing operations

 

2. The borrower will use the loan proceeds to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage, lease, and utility payments

 

3. Borrower does not have an application pending for a loan duplicative of the purpose and amounts applied for here

 

4. From Feb. 15, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, the borrower has not received a loan duplicative of the purpose and amounts applied for here (Note: There is an opportunity to fold emergency loans made between Jan. 31, 2020 and the date this loan program becomes available into a new loan)

 

If you are an independent contractor, sole proprietor, or self-employed individual, lenders will also be looking for certain documents (final requirements will be announced by the government) such as payroll tax filings, Forms 1099-MISC, and income and expenses from the sole proprietorship.

 

What lenders will NOT LOOK FOR

 

• That the borrower sought and was unable to obtain credit elsewhere.

• A personal guarantee is not required for the loan.

• No collateral is required for the loan.

 

 

How much can I BORROW?

 

Loans can be up to 2.5 x the borrower’s average monthly payroll costs, not to

exceed $10 million.

 

How do I calculate my average monthly PAYROLL COSTS?

Sum of INCLUDED payroll costs - sum of EXCLUDED payroll costs = PAYROLL COSTS

 

 

INCLUDED Payroll Cost:

 

1. For Employers: The sum of payments of any compensation with respect to employees that is a:

• salary, wage, commission, or similar compensation;

• payment of cash tip or equivalent;

• payment for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave

• allowance for dismissal or separation

• payment required for the provisions of group health care benefits, including insurance premiums

• payment of any retirement benefit

• payment of state or local tax assessed on the compensation of the employee

 

 2. For Sole Proprietors, Independent Contractors, and Self-Employed Individuals: The sum of payments of any compensation to or income of a sole proprietor or independent contractor that is a wage, commission, income, net earnings from self-employment, or similar compensation and that is in an amount that is not more than $100,000 in one year, as pro-rated for the covered period.

 

EXCLUDED Payroll Cost:

 

1. Compensation of an individual employee in excess of an annual salary of $100,000, as prorated for the period February 15, to June 30, 2020

 

2. Payroll taxes, railroad retirement taxes, and income taxes

 

3. Any compensation of an employee whose principal place of residence is outside of the United States

 

4. Qualified sick leave wages for which a credit is allowed under section 7001 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Public Law 116– 5 127); or qualified family leave wages for which a credit is allowed under section 7003 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

 

 

Will this loan be FORGIVEN?

Borrowers are eligible to have their loans forgiven.

 

How Much?

 

A borrower is eligible for loan forgiveness equal to the amount the borrower spent on the following items during the 8-week period beginning on the date of the origination of the loan:

 

• Payroll costs (using the same definition of payroll costs used to determine loan eligibility)

 

• Interest on the mortgage obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business

 

• Rent on a leasing agreement

 

• Payments on utilities (electricity, gas, water, transportation, telephone, or internet)

 

• For borrowers with tipped employees, additional wages paid to those employees

 

The loan forgiveness cannot exceed the principal.

 

How could the forgiveness be reduced?

The amount of loan forgiveness calculated above is reduced if there is a reduction in the number of employees or a reduction of greater than 25% in wages paid to employees.

 

What if I bring back employees or restore wages?

Reductions in employment or wages that occur during the period beginning on February 15, 2020, and ending 30 days after enactment of the CARES Act, (as compared to February 15, 2020) shall not reduce the amount of loan forgiveness IF by June 30, 2020 the borrower eliminates the reduction in employees or reduction in wages.