CARES Act - Get ready to Act! - This could save your business

I've been researching the CARES Act. The government forced you to close or limit your business. This is compensation for your sacrifice. It is a "loan" that converts into a grant (you don't have to pay it back if you follow the rules). It is called the "Paycheck Protection Program". I feel like there is going to be a race to apply for these loans before the funds run out, and I want you all to be first in line.

Paycheck Protection Program

Program highlights

There is no cost to apply.
The funding is meant to help retain workers, maintain payroll, and cover rent/mortgage/utility expenses.
The loan covers expenses dating back to February 15, to June 30 2020
The loan can be forgiven and essentially turn into a non-taxable grant.
No personal or business collateral is required.
Any portion not forgiven is 4% interest over period of up to 10 years, with up to 6-12 month delay before first payment is due

Eligibility Requirements

You need to demonstrate your business was economically affected by COVID-19.

How much can I receive?

2.5 * your average monthly payroll, rent, and utilities. For gyms, this is almost all your expenses. If your average month, you pay 3k in rent, 3k in coaching, $200 in utilities. You are eligible for $16,250.

How can I get my loan forgiven?

In the 8 weeks following your loan signing date, all expenses related to the following can be forgiven:

Payroll—salary, wage, vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave, health benefits
Mortgage interest
Rent
Utilities

So, in our example, if the 8 weeks after your loan signing date, you spend $16,250 on the above expenses, 100% of the loan will be forgiven. Do the math on this. If you don't spend the full amount in the 8 weeks, the remainder must be paid back under the terms of the loan.

NOTE: If you cut back on the payroll, that limits the amount the loan can be forgiven. They really want you to keep paying your coaches. If you rehire employees that were previously laid off after Feb 15th, or restore any decreases in wage or salary that were made at the after Feb 15th, you will not be penalized for having a reduction in employees or wages, as long as you do this by June 30, 2020. If you want to see the math on this, check out the article by Rigequipment linked below.

When / how do we apply?

It's run by the small business administration but loans are issued by ordinary banks that are participating in the program. Loan applications are not available yet, but could be ready by April 4th. US Bank does have an inquiry form, where they will contact you when they are ready.

https://apply.usbank.com/applications/business/InquiryForm

What documentation do we need to apply?

The SBA will ask you to provide documentation on your business’s payroll, mortgage, rent, and utility payments over the previous 12-month period. They will calculate the monthly average cost of those expenses. Start pulling this together NOW to be ready.

What documentation do I need to have my loan forgiven?

When submitting your application for loan forgiveness, you must provide the following documentation (no exceptions):

documentation verifying the number of full-time equivalent employees on payroll and pay rates for the periods described in subsection (d), including:

(A) payroll tax filings reported to the IRS
State income, payroll, and unemployment insurance filings

documentation to prove your mortgage, lease, or utility payments

cancelled checks
payment receipts
account statements

a certification from a representative of the eligible recipient authorized to make such certifications that:

(A) the documentation presented is true and correct; and
(B) the amount for which forgiveness is requested was used to retain employees, make interest payments on a covered mortgage obligation, make payments on a covered rent obligation, or make covered utility payments; and

any other documentation the Administrator determines necessary.

The lender must make a decision within 60 days of your forgiveness application submission.

What should I be doing now?

Pull together the documentation you will most likely need for a loan application. In particular proof of your last 12 months payroll, rent and utility expenses.
Contact your bank to find out if they will participate
review the attached example of a Disaster Business Loan Application. That is a different program, but I am guessing the applications will be similar in what they ask for.
tax returns for anyone with 20% stake in the business.

I'm going to be continuing to research this and send out more information once the application are available.

I'm thinking of pulling together a Q&A with Clayton from Rigquipment Finance. I've gotten to know him over the years at various events (like the CrossFit games) and he seems like he would be a good resource for questions. Let me know if this interests you.

Michael Kloster
Founder
WODHOPPER

P.S.

Additional Reading (how I pulled together this information):

https://bench.co/blog/operations/paycheck-protection-program/

https://rigquipment.com/blog/cares-act-sba-disaster-loans-important-information-for-microgym-owners

https://www.foley.com/en/insights/publications/2020/03/coronavirus-cares-act-enacted-into-law

https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2020/03/27/paycheck-protection-program-looks-like-a-very-sweet-deal/

https://www.sba.gov/disaster/apply-for-disaster-loan/index.html