As the pandemic has continued to unfold, so has legislation and guidance on the numerous COVID-19 relief options available. Today, as businesses and nonprofit organizations focus on pandemic recovery and other challenges, the requirements of these relief programs may no longer be at the forefront of leaders’ minds. However, these requirements are equally as important as when these organizations received their relief. The following summarizes the major federal COVID-19 relief options offered and their status as of November 15, 2021.
Paid Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Status: Expired September 30, 2021
From April through December 2020, certain employers were required to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family leave for certain COVID-19 related absences. To receive reimbursement for the required time, employers could receive a dollar-for-dollar payroll tax credit for qualified wages (including certain contributions to health insurance), which was filed on Form 941 (or Form 941-X).
Through two pieces of legislation (the Consolidated Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act), the same tax credits were extended until September 30, 2021, although paid leave from January 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 was not mandated.
Employers who have not reflected this pay and claimed their associated credit on their Form 941 may still choose to do so via an amended Form 941-X. For additional information, including qualifications for leave, visit the US Department of Treasury.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan for COVID-19 Disaster (EIDL)
Status: Available until the Sooner of December 31, 2021 or the Depletion of Funding
The EIDL is available to small businesses and nonprofit organizations located in the United States and its territories, all of which have been considered a disaster area due to COVID-19. This program is a loan of up to $2 million that must be repaid directly to the SBA during a 30 year term. For-profit businesses have a 3.75% fixed interest rate while private nonprofit organizations have a 2.75% interest rate. The low-interest, long-term loan is intended to help eligible organizations overcome the disaster (or pandemic) by providing working capital to meet operating expenses.
In
September, SBA updated the loan program as follows:
- Borrowers can obtain the full $2 million offered by the traditional EIDL program, rather than just $500,000 used for the COVID-19 related loan (presumably due to high demand).
- Payment and pre-payment of business non-federal debt was added as an eligible use of funds.
- The deferral period was extended to 24 months from the loan origination date for all loans.
- Affiliation requirements were simplified to businesses that owners control or in which they have 50% or more ownership.
- Certain size standards for select NAICS codes were edited to increase eligibility.
While loans are still available, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law on November 15, rescinds $13.5 billion of funding from this program. In addition, the law rescinds over $17.5 billion from the Targeted EIDL Advance program, a grant program related to the EIDL for certain borrowers who were hit hardest by the pandemic. As a result, potential borrowers are encouraged to apply for loans or related increases to their loans as soon as possible as funding may not be available when the program expires on December 31, 2021.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Status: Lenders and SBA Accepting Applications for Forgiveness
Borrowers with first draw PPP Loans likely have applied for forgiveness on those loans or have begun making payments. If a borrower has an outstanding first draw PPP loan, has not applied for forgiveness, and is eligible for forgiveness, it is not too late! Borrowers can apply for forgiveness on their loan balance at any time until the maturity date.
Now, borrowers with second draw loans are likely considering how to obtain forgiveness. These borrowers are encouraged to review the SBA forgiveness applications and note key changes, including how to test potential reduction safe harbors and how to test for a wage reduction, given that the reference period has changed. Borrowers should also consider the documentation that they should maintain or submit, which may include resubmitting proof of their gross receipts decline that they used to prove their eligibility for their loan.
Borrowers will once again use their lender’s PPP forgiveness portal to apply for loan forgiveness.
With ten months from the end of the covered period to apply, Borrowers should not rush, but unlike the first draw, patience for more guidance is not likely needed. All anticipated guidance has been released and is available from the
SBA and
US Department of the Treasury.
Employee Retention Credit (ERC)
Status: Program Ended for Most, Filings Still Accepted
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes the retroactive termination of the ERC, meaning that qualified wages paid after October 1, 2021, are not eligible for the tax credit.
However, this change is not applicable for Recovery Startup Businesses, who can continue to take the ERC on qualified wages paid through December 31, 2021. A Recovery Startup Business is defined as a business that began after February 15, 2020, earns average gross receipts of less than $1 million, and does not qualify for the ERC under the original test (which is only applicable through the third quarter of 2021). These businesses are limited to a $50,000 credit for each of the third and fourth calendar quarters of 2021.
Eligible businesses who have not filed for the ERC can still do so by amending their Form 941 filings via a Form 941X for each quarter where they have paid qualified wages. As the ERC does affect income tax, it is recommended calendar year businesses calculate their ERC and file Form 941-X before the end of the calendar year. For more information about the program, visit the IRS website.
Employer Payroll Tax Deferral
Status: 50% Payment Coming Due 12/31/2021
From March 27, 2020 to December 31, 2020 employers had the option to defer the deposit and payment of the employer’s share of Social Security taxes and certain railroad retirement taxes. Half, or 50% of the deferred deposit, must then be deposited by December 31, 2021, and the remaining amount must be deposited by December 31, 2022 to be treated as a timely deposit.
As the first deadline is quickly approaching, employers who deferred their payroll tax should ensure that they are ready to make their payment before December 31 approaches. Organizations that use a payroll processor are encouraged to contact their processor in advance to avoid any complications. For more information, visit the
IRS website.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Status: Funding Depleted, Reporting due 12/31/2021
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund offered certain restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, and similar businesses with a grant opportunity equal to revenue lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses that were eligible for the grants missed the opportunity due to a limited amount of funding that was quickly depleted.
Those who received funds must report how much of their grant has been used against each expense category by December 31, 2021 using the
Restaurant Revitalization Fund portal. Businesses unsure of eligible uses of funds can consult the
Restaurant Revitalization Program Guide provided by the SBA.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Status: Funding Depleted
Live venue operators, theatrical producers, museum operators, talent representatives and other similar businesses may have applied for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, a grant program focused on the hard-hit entertainment industry.
Depending on the award amount, businesses may be subject to certain reporting, monitoring, or auditing requirements. As a result, grant recipients should be aware of their individual requirements and ensure they fulfill them. In addition, recipients should ensure that they watch for communications from SBA, which may indicate the need for additional reporting. Grant recipients can also learn more by visiting the
SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant relief page.
Other Considerations
Throughout the pandemic, many programs – at the federal, state, and local levels – became available to help businesses navigate the pandemic. Whether your business received funding from one of the listed programs or funding from any other source, consider refreshing yourself on program requirements. Many programs were implemented quickly and later evolved. Recipients must keep up to date with changing guidance and ensure they meet all requirements to obtain or retain such funding.
In addition, as you spend funds, consider keeping detailed records of how each program is used.
Each funding program has its own requirements, including how funds are spent. However, most prohibit a borrower or fund recipient from “double-dipping”. This means the same expense cannot be reimbursed by funds from two different COVID-19 relief programs. By reviewing program requirements and documenting the use of funds, organizations are prepared to show that their use of funds meets program requirements.
For assistance with your COVID-19 relief, please contact your HBK Advisor.
