Agreement Reached! New Stimulus Package Expected to be Passed into Law

Date December 22, 2020
Categories
Nine months after passing the CARES Act, Congressional leaders have reached an agreement on the next round of COVID-19 relief. This package, which is part of the omnibus bill, offers support to individuals and businesses through a variety of programs. The bill was passed last night by both the House and Senate and is expected to be signed by President Trump before the end of the week. Key provisions of this stimulus package include but are not limited to the following:
  • Direct stimulus paymentsDirect stimulus payments up to $600 per individual, $1,200 for a married couple filing jointly, and $600 for qualifying children under the age of 17. The payments will be subject to a phaseout for single taxpayers with 2019 adjusted gross income (AGI) in excess of $75,000, and married filings with AGI exceeding $150,000. Like with the stimulus payments issued earlier this year, these payments represent an advance in taxpayers’ credits, although those who receive a stimulus payment that is larger than the credit will not be required to pay back stimulus funds that exceed the credit amount.
  • Extended unemployment benefitsBenefits for the unemployed will be extended for 11 weeks to March 14, 2021, with $300 weekly offered by the federal government after December 26, 2020. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which offers unemployment benefits to those often ineligible for unemployment such as those that are self-employed or do not have sufficient work history to qualify for regular unemployment compensation, will also be extended.
  • Employee payroll tax deferralCongress extended the employee payroll tax deferral allowed under President Trump’s executive action on wages paid from September 1 through December 31, 2020 to April 30, 2021. In addition, the bill extends the due date for payment of those deferred taxes to December 31, 2021.
  • Clarification of tax treatment of forgiveness of covered loansPPP loan forgiveness, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advances, and other loan payment subsidies will not be includable in taxable income. In addition, expenses paid with these loans, grants, or subsidies will now be deductible for federal income tax purposes.
  • Extension of FFCRA Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family Medical LeaveThe FFCRA programs required certain employers to pay sick or expanded family medical leave related to certain COVID-19 circumstances, and in return, the employer could receive a fully refundable payroll tax credit equal to those wages and qualified health insurance payments. While the program was set to expire at the end of the year, the bill extends the tax credits through March 31, 2021.
  • Extended and Expanded Employee Retention Tax CreditThe Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) was extended through July 1, 2021, and its benefits were increased for 2021. The credit amount increased from 50% to 70%, with the employee wage limitation of $10,000 per employee now applying by quarter. To be eligible, businesses must have suffered at least a 20% (down from 50% in the CARES Act) reduction in gross receipts in the calendar quarter, as compared to the same calendar quarter in 2019. One of the most significant changes is that businesses with a PPP loan may now benefit from the ERC, however, wages included in the ERC are not forgivable PPP loan expenses
  • Full Deduction for Business MealsBusiness expenses for food or beverages provided by a restaurant and paid or incurred after December 31, 2020 and before January 1, 2023 are 100% deductible.
  • Changes to the PPP programWith $35 billion earmarked for new borrowers, including certain 501(c) organizations who were previously ineligible, Congress made further changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Borrowers who have not yet applied for forgiveness will find that additional non-payroll costs and the ability to select a covered period between 8 and 24 weeks are two added features of the PPP program. Borrowers with loans under $150,000 will also have a simplified application process. Further, businesses who obtained both a PPP loan and an EIDL advance will no longer see their PPP forgiveness reduced by the amount of their EIDL advance.
  • Additional PPP loansA “second draw” loan will be available to certain small businesses that have been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Generally, these businesses must have used or will use the full amount of their PPP loan, have less than 300 employees, and have experienced declines in gross receipts of 25% in any 2020 calendar quarter, as compared to the same quarter in 2019. Interested businesses should be aware that this eligibility criterion is different than in the original round of PPP funding, meaning that borrowers should carefully consider their eligibility. Eligible borrowers may apply for and receive loans up to $2 million, based on 2.5 months of average monthly payroll costs, except for certain hospitality industry businesses, who may receive loans equal to the lesser of $2 million or 3.5 months of average monthly payroll costs.
  • Grants for Shuttered Venue OperatorsCertain live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives that meet certain requirements including a 25% reduction in revenue in a calendar quarter in 2020 as compared to the same quarter in 2019 may be eligible for grants. These grants are intended to be used for the payment of payroll costs, limited independent contractor payments, rent, utilities, mortgage interest, debt interest, certain worker protection expenses, and other maintenance, administrative, state and local tax, insurance, advertising or other costs.
HBK CPAs & Consultants is committed to keeping you up to date on the quickly changing status of this stimulus bill. After the President signs the legislation, it is expected that subsequent guidance may be issued to further clarify the implementation of the provisions, changes, and extensions allowed for in this bill. To discuss your individual or business situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, or for any questions related to this stimulus package, please contact your HBK Advisor.  

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