CARES Act – SBA Relief Options
As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020, multiple options for relief will be available to small businesses through programs administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). With changes made to the size limits for consideration as a “small business”, more entities are now eligible for assistance through programs administered by the SBA.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
The CARES Act made several changes to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program under Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act. As modified by the CARES Act:
• EIDL Loans are available to small businesses in a declared disaster area (all 50 states have all been declared disaster areas for purposes of the EIDL Program effective January 31, 2020) to cover economic injury resulting from the disaster (e.g., loss of revenue).
• EIDL Loans are processed directly through the SBA, although the SBA may determine to enlist the assistance of lenders for the processing and making of loans.
• EIDL Loans are available in a maximum amount of $2 million, carry an interest rate of 3.75 percent and have a maximum term of 30 years.
• Loans over $200,000 must be guaranteed by any owner having a 20 percent or greater interest in the applicant (the CARES Act removed the requirement for personal guarantees on loans under $200,000).
• The CARES Act also removed standard EIDL Program requirements that the borrower not be able to secure credit elsewhere or that the borrower have been in business for at least one year, if it was in operation on January 31, 2020.
• Applicant may request an expedited disbursement that is to be paid within three days of the request. The advance may not exceed $10,000 and must be used for authorized costs but is otherwise not repayable if the EIDL Loan is not approved.
NOTE: An applicant may receive an EIDL Loan and loans under other programs (such as the Paycheck Protection Program described below) if the basis for the loans/costs being paid with each are different (no “double-dipping”).
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program authorized by the CARES Act makes loans of up to $10 million available to certain qualified small businesses. These loans are intended to be forgivable if the borrower maintains employees and otherwise complies with the CARES Act. Congress has appropriated $349 billion for this program.
A qualified small business is a business that:
• Does not have more than 500 employees or the maximum number of employees specified in the current SBA size standards1, whichever is greater; or
• Has more than one location and has more than 500 employees, does not have more than 500 employees at any one location and the business’ primary NAICS code starts with “72” (Accommodation and Food Service); or
• Is a franchisee holding a franchise listed on the SBA’s registry of approved franchise agreements2; or
• Has received financing from a Small Business Investment Corporation.
NOTE: Sole proprietorships and self-employed individuals may qualify under this program. Additionally, the CARES Act makes certain nonprofit organizations (must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code), qualified veterans’ organizations and certain Tribal business concerns eligible.
The maximum amount of the loan is set by formula (average monthly payroll prior to the COVID-19 pandemic times 2.5 plus the amount of any other debt approved for refinancing, including any debt incurred as a result of COVID-19 under the EIDL Program), subject to a maximum of $10 million.
Other key provisions:
• Maximum interest rate of 4 percent per annum.
• Loans are made by SBA-approved lenders that have delegated authority to make the loans without approval from the SBA (no SBA Authorization required for each individual loan). This should help expedite the application and closing process.
• In reviewing the application, a lender must evaluate whether the borrower was in business on February 15, 2020 and had employees and paid salaries and taxes or had independent contractors and filed 1099-MISC for them.
• Guarantee fees are waived (these are typically 2 percent-3.75 percent of the loan amount, depending on the size of the loan, and would otherwise be paid by the borrower).
• Loans are non-recourse to the borrower. In addition to waiving any guaranty that might otherwise be required by the Small Business Act, the CARES Act specifically provides each loan is non-recourse to the shareholders, members and partners of the borrower.
• No “credit elsewhere test.” That is, the borrower does not have to demonstrate it was unable to secure financing elsewhere before qualifying for SBA financing.
• No collateral requirement.
• No prepayment penalties.
• Payments are deferred for 6 to 12 months.
• The applicant is required to certify:
a) Current uncertain economic times make the loan request necessary to support ongoing operations; and
b) Funds will be used to keep workers and make payroll, mortgage payments, lease payments and utility payments; and
c) Applicant does not already have a duplicate application pending for other payroll assistance under this provision of the CARES Act.
NOTE: A loan under the Paycheck Protection Program makes the borrower ineligible for the Employee Retention Tax Credit made available under the CARES Act. This only applies to the Employee Retention Tax Credit in the CARES Act and does not apply to any credits available under the FFCRA (such as the paid sick leave tax credit) or other credits available under the CARES Act.
Loan Forgiveness Provisions
Under the CARES Act, small business loan borrowers will be eligible for loan forgiveness, both for new loans under the Paycheck Protection Program and for existing 7(a) loans.
For borrowers under the Paycheck Protection Program, the loan forgiveness will equal the amount spent by the borrower in the eight-week period after the loan origination date on the following items (not to exceed the original principal amount of the loan):
• payroll costs (not to exceed $100,000 of annualized compensation per employee); and
• payments of interest on any mortgage loan incurred prior to February 15, 2020; and
• payment of rent on any lease in force prior to February 15, 2020; and
• payment on any utility for which service began before February 15, 2020.
The amount forgiven is not considered taxable income to the borrower.
The amount forgiven will be reduced proportionally by any reduction in the number of employees retained as compared to the prior year. The proportional reduction in loan forgiveness also applies to reductions in the pay of any employee where the pay reduction exceeds 25 percent of the employee’s prior year compensation. A borrower will not be penalized by a reduction in the amount forgiven for termination of an employee made between February 15, 2020 and April 26, 2020, if the employee is rehired by June 30, 2020. Any amount outstanding after considering the amount forgiven will be repayable over a term not to exceed 10 years.
NOTE: The borrower must apply to the lender for loan forgiveness with supporting documentation.
For borrowers with existing 7(a) or microloan program loans, the SBA will pay principal, interest, and any associated loan fees for a six-month period starting on the loan’s next payment due date. Payment on loans that are on deferment will begin with the first payment after the deferment period. This relief will not include loans made under the Paycheck Protection Program.
As each business has different needs, businesses should evaluate the various Federal, State and Local assistance programs available to determine which fit it best, your team of JCCS professionals are available to assist you if you have questions on the suitability of these programs.
JCCS is working to assist its clients during these uncertain times. Our team of professionals will continue to monitor, inform and advise as new issues develop. For specific guidance or more information, please contact your local JCCS office to be directed to one of our advisors or visit our website to request to be contacted by one of our professionals best suited for your needs.
1 – To determine the maximum number of employees in the current SBA size standard refer to SBA website tool https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/.
2 – For a list of SBA approved Franchise agreements refer to the SBA website at https://www.sba.gov/sba-franchise-directory.
