SBA Issues FAQs On PPP Loan Forgiveness

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As the Small Business Administration (SBA) prepares to accept forgiveness documentation from lenders via its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness Platform on August 10, 2020, the SBA has issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to PPP loan forgiveness. These forgiveness FAQs reinforce previously issued guidance and provide new information to assist borrowers in preparing their loan forgiveness applications. This alert reviews new PPP forgiveness guidance within the SBA’s Frequently Asked Questions and builds on our previously issued Loan Forgiveness FAQ.

Expenses for accelerated group health and retirement benefits are not eligible costs

Employer expenses for employee group health care and retirement benefits that are paid or incurred by the borrower during the Covered Period or the Alternative Payroll Covered Period are eligible payroll costs. However, the SBA clarified that these eligible costs do not include expenses for group health care and retirement benefits accelerated from periods outside the Covered Period or Alternative Payroll Covered Period. In addition, group health care benefits paid by employees are not forgivable payroll costs.

Clarification on forgivable transportation costs

Until now, there was speculation that "transportation" costs included, for example, mileage reimbursement and/or fuel charges. The SBA clarified that eligible "transportation" costs are limited to transportation utility fees assessed by state and local governments.

Loan forgiveness reduction calculation

The CARES Act requires that a borrower’s forgiveness be reduced for certain employees whose salary/hourly wage was reduced in excess of 25 percent. The SBA has clarified that, in calculating such reductions in the loan forgiveness amount, borrowers should only take into account decreases in salaries or wages, and not other forms of compensation.

DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

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