How the CARES Act applies to Small Business

We focused on the benefits and provisions offering relief to individuals in part one of our CARES Act series.

Part 2 will focus specifically on the provisions given to small businesses to ease revenue reduction and employment troubles during the current crisis.

As a main driver in not only job creation and stability but also, retirement and health care benefits to millions of people, small businesses are a crucial aspect of the American economy. The stimulus bill throws them a lifeline to stay afloat during this economic turmoil.

There are two major provisions small business owners should be aware of:

• Forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA – Paycheck protection
• Credits available for businesses that retain employees

Paycheck Protection Program and Forgivable Loans

According to the Senate Finance Committee, this provision provides small business owners with a forgivable loan program offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Loans can be used to pay for a broad list of costs like payroll, group health care premiums, salaries, rent mortgage interest, utilities, etc. The loan must be applied for by June 30th to existing approved SBA lenders or those who qualify to give such loans and has a maximum maturity of 10 years. This is guaranteed by the SBA and loans can be forgiven up to 100% during the 8-week period following the issuance of the loan.

Who qualifies?

• Small businesses (less than 500 employees)
• Business that keep the same number of employees from 2/15/20-6/30/20 as they had in same period in 2019 or 1/1/20-2/15/20.
• Loan specifics
• The amount of the loan is the lesser of $10 million, or, 2.5x the average payroll cost of previous year (excluding employee compensation greater than $100,000). Maximum rate is 4% and initial payments are deferred 6-12 months.

Employee Retention Credit

This credit was added to help businesses keep their employees employed and reduce the number of people applying for unemployment. It applies to companies that have been partially or fully suspended during a quarter stemming from governmental authority (non-essential business) or if revenue (not profit) in 2020 was less than 50% of the revenue generated in the same quarter of 2019. Companies that qualify for this will qualify for it until the end of 2020 in most cases.

The credit includes:

• 50% of wages paid to each employee, up to a max of $10k/ person
• Deferral of payments of payroll taxes. (employee and employer)
• Net Operating Loss (NOL)Rules
• CARES Act allows for NOLs to be carried back up to 5 years.
• NOLs will now be able to offset 100% of taxable income (previously only 80% allowable).

Unsure of what applies to your business? Reach out to us to speak to a financial advisor about the opportunities that may benefit you.

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