| | Small Business Owner Guide to the CARES Act (from the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship) -- This guide has frequently asked questions for each of the programs established or enhanced to support small businesses, and I have briefly summarized the major provisions of each program below to make it easier to digest.
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| | The Small Business Administration on January 13, 2021 restarted the Paycheck Protection Program. The new round of relief expands eligibility for new borrowers, and allows first-round borrowers to access the program again. The list of newly-eligible borrowers includes non-profit organizations and businesses from qualifying industries. Get more information here.
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| | The Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant was established through the American Rescue Plan Act. Apply through the Small Business Administration for funds to cover pandemic-related revenue losses, such as payroll, mortgage/rent, supplies and other expenses. Apply here.
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| | The SBA has announced the availability of a new SBA Express Bridge Loan program, that is available to small businesses who already have an established relationship with a SBA Express Lender. General Information: SBA Express Bridge loans are being offered to act as a bridge for businesses who need short term funding in order to stay afloat until they receive EIDL funds they have previously applied for. These funds are available in amounts of up to $25,000 and have a fast turnaround time. These loans will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan once the process is completed.
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| | The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program received significant funding in the Families First Act, which was the second COVID-19 stimulus package. These SBA loans provide small businesses with a long-term, low interest loan of up to $2 million to pay for expenses they would have met if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. Note that these are loans, not grants, although refinancing an EIDL into a Paycheck Protection Program is a possibility, provided you used the fund for the proper purpose. Additionally, applicants can apply for both EIDL and PPP loans simultaneously, although the funds cannot be used for the same purpose.
Application Process: The SBA has just recently rolled out a new, streamlined application process that is
available here.
Note: If your business needs short term assistance, and you applied before this week, you may need to re-submit your application (see below). If you have already applied for funds through EIDL and do not need the $10,000 advance, your application should continue to be processed without additional steps. You may check on the status of your application by calling (800) 659-2955.
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| | Businesses that need an infusion of capital in the short term and who have applied for a loan through the EIDL program can also apply for an Emergency Economic Injury Grant, which will provide an advance of $10,000 from the requested EIDL amount. This process can be started from the EIDL application,
available here.
Note: If you already submitted an EIDL application prior to the launch of this program (SBA says if you applied before March 30) you will have to
resubmit an application using the streamlined process at the link above.
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| | The Small Business Administration is providing a program to assist small businesses who have non-disaster SBA loans – namely 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans.
Program Benefits: The SBA will cover payments (on principal and interest) in addition to fees for six months.
Program Applicability: This program will apply to preexisting loans in these categories, in addition to
new borrowers who take out these loans within six months of the CARES Act becoming law.
Loan Program Details: See the below links if you think that your business could benefit from these options:
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| | The CARES Act includes an Employee Retention Tax Credit, designed to encourage employers to retain their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. The IRS describes the credit as a “fully refundable tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of qualified wages (including allocable qualified health plan expenses) that Eligible Employers pay their employees. This applies to wages paid between March 12, 2020 and January 1, 2021, with a maximum credit for any employee amounting to $5,000. This credit is
not available to employers receiving assistance via the Paycheck Protection Program. Additional IRS guidance is
available here.
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| | According to the Guide, a provision in the CARES Act allows for the deferral of the employer portion of certain payroll taxes through the end of 2020. These deferred amounts are due in two installments – one at the end of 2021, the other at the end of 2022. Included deferrable taxes include the employer portion of FICA taxes and half of SECA tax liability. Deferral is not available to employers receiving assistance via the Paycheck Protection Program. IRS guidance on this yet is expected soon at the
IRS coronavirus webpage.
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| | In addition to direct financial assistance to small businesses and non-profits, the recent stimulus packages have included significant funding for enhanced small business counseling services. These organizations are well versed in how to help small businesses succeed and stand ready and willing to help your organization navigate these difficult times. Counseling resources include:
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| | Employers can defer payment of the employer share of the Social Security tax. The deferred employment tax be paid over the following two years, with half of the amount required to be paid by December 31, 2021 and the other half by December 31, 2022. | Federal | 1 | 10 |
| | Lenders may borrow a minimum of $1 million and a maximum of either $25 million, or an amount that “when added to the Eligible Borrower’s existing outstanding and committed but undrawn debt, does not exceed four times the Eligible Borrower’s 2019 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization,”
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| | Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund -- Small businesses low interest loans of up to $50,000. Businesses located outside of the City of Chicago with fewer than 50 workers and less than $3 million in revenue in 2019 will be eligible to apply. Successful applicants will pay nothing for six months and will then begin making fixed payments at a below market interest rate for the remainder of a five-year loan term. Loan funds must be used for working capital, and at least 50% of loans proceeds must be applied toward payroll or other eligible compensation including salaries, wages, tips, paid leave, and group healthcare benefits. Eligible uses will exclude compensation in excess of $100,000.
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| | | State | 2 | 3 |
| | Under the directive,
eating and drinking establishments that incurred less than $75,000 in sales tax liabilities last year will not be charged penalties or interest on payments due in March, April or May made late. Penalties and interest will be automatically waived; however, qualified taxpayers must still file their sales tax return even if they are unable to make a payment.
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| | Eligible municipalities can be reimbursed for all payroll expenses for public safety and public health employees in line with federal guidelines. All payroll for eligible employees (i.e., public safety and public health personnel from March 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, will qualify as an eligible expense. Any fringe benefit costs, which come as a contingent cost of the payroll, are also included as an eligible expense.
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| | The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development has launched the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative was launched to provide one-time, zero-interest loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses and $10,000 for independent contractors in suburban Cook County. Loans will be administered by the Chicago Community Loan Fund and provided by a network of community lenders. Currently, the county does not have a deadline for submittals but plans to grant loans after the Federal programs have been depleted. To apply, businesses must meet the following requirements:
- Small Businesses
- Fewer than 25 employees
- Less than $3 million in annual revenue
- Gig Workers
- At least half of income must come from 1099 contract work
- Less than $100,000 in gross annual income
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| | This loan fund offers one-time, zero-interest loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses and up to $10,000 for independent contractors in suburban Cook County. Loans will be administered by the Chicago Community Loan Fund and provided by a network of community lenders.
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| | | Other | 4 | 2 |
| | | COVID-19 GUIDANCE | 5 | 1 |
| | Governor Pritzker's "stay-at-home" executive order categorizes businesses as essential or non-essential. The aim is to keep new cases of COVID-19 from rapidly increasing due to public exposure and ensure the state's health care system remains fully operational to treat patients in need of urgent care. While the public will continue to have regular access to groceries medication, gas and other essential services, all non-essential business and operations must cease. | COVID-19 GUIDANCE | 5 | 2 |
| | | COVID-19 GUIDANCE | 5 | 3 |
| | | COVID-19 GUIDANCE | 5 | 4 |
| | | COVID-19 GUIDANCE | 5 | 5 |
| | | COVID-19 GUIDANCE | 5 | 6 |
| | Business Resources such as interactive maps, permit/licensing information, business support and local business networking. | GoGlenview - Economic Development Portal | 6 | 1 |