PPP Loans Have Reopened: Let’s Review the Tax Consequences
- Learn about the background of the PPP.
- Discover more information about second draw PPP loans.
- Find out if expenses paid with PPP loan funds qualify for deductions.
- Will your PPP loan forgiveness result in COD income for your business?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) reopened the week of January 11. Many businesses were fortunate enough to get PPP loans to help during the COVID-19 crisis (or you received one last year). But are you now wondering about the tax consequences? Fiducial can help.
Background on PPP loans
In March of 2020, the CARES Act became law. By creating the PPP, it authorized the SBA to make loans to qualified businesses under certain circumstances. The PPP provided up to 24 weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100% federally-guaranteed loans to eligible recipients. Taxpayers could apply to have the loans forgiven to the extent they used the money to maintain payroll and cover certain other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the end of 2020, Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) to provide more relief related to COVID-19. This law includes funding for more PPP loans, including a “second draw” for businesses that received a loan last year. It also allows businesses to claim a tax deduction for the ordinary and necessary expenses paid from the proceeds of PPP loans.
Second draw PPP loans
The CAA permits certain smaller businesses who received a PPP loan and experienced a 25% reduction in gross receipts to take a PPP second draw loan of up to $2 million.
To qualify for a second draw loan, a taxpayer must have taken out an original PPP Loan. In addition, prior PPP borrowers must now meet the following conditions to be eligible:
- Employ no more than 300 employees per location,
- Have used or will use the full amount of their first PPP loan, and
- Demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts in the first, second or third quarter of 2020 relative to the same 2019 quarter. Applications submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2021, are eligible to utilize the gross receipts from the fourth quarter of 2020.
A business must follow certain rules to be eligible for full PPP loan forgiveness. The business must generally spend at least 60% of the loan proceeds on qualifying payroll costs (including certain health care plan costs). They may spend the remaining 40% on other qualifying expenses. These include mortgage interest, rent, utilities, eligible operations expenditures, supplier costs, worker personal protective equipment and other eligible expenses to help comply with COVID-19 health and safety guidelines or equivalent state and local guidelines.
Eligible entities include for-profit businesses, certain non-profit organizations, housing cooperatives, veterans’ organizations, tribal businesses, self-employed individuals, sole proprietors, independent contractors, and small agricultural co-operatives.
Deductibility of expenses paid by PPP loans
The CARES Act didn’t address whether expenses paid with the proceeds of PPP loans could be deducted on tax returns. Last year, the IRS took the position that these expenses weren’t deductible. However, the CAA provides that expenses paid from the proceeds of PPP loans are deductible.
Cancellation of debt income
Generally, when a lender reduces or cancels debt, it results in cancellation of debt (COD) income to the debtor. However, the forgiveness of PPP debt is excluded from gross income. Your tax attributes (net operating losses, credits, capital and passive activity loss carryovers, and basis) wouldn’t generally be reduced on account of this exclusion.
Assistance provided
This only covers the basics of applying for PPP loans, as well as the tax implications. Do you have questions or need assistance in the PPP loan application or forgiveness process? Call Fiducial at 1-866-FIDUCIAL or make an appointment at one of our office locations to discuss your situation.
Ready to book an appointment now? Click here. Know someone who might need our services? We love referrals!
For more small business COVID-19 resources, visit Fiducial’s Coronavirus Update Center to find information on SBA loans, tax updates, the Paycheck Protection Program, paid sick and family leave, and more.
