Loan forgiveness

15 U.S.C. § 636m
in effect
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(a) DefinitionsIn this section—(1) the term “covered loan” means a loan guaranteed under section 636(a)(36) of this title; (2) the term “covered mortgage obligation” means any indebtedness or debt instrument incurred in the ordinary course of business that—(A) is a liability of the borrower; (B) is a mortgage on real or personal property; and (C) was incurred before February 15, 2020; (3) the term “covered operations expenditure” means a payment for any business software or cloud computing service that facilitates business operations, product or service delivery, the processing, payment, or tracking of payroll expenses, human resources, sales and billing functions, or accounting or tracking of supplies, inventory, records and expenses; (4) the term “covered period” means the period—(A) beginning on the date of the origination of a covered loan; and (B) ending on a date selected by the eligible recipient of the covered loan that occurs during the period—(i) beginning on the date that is 8 weeks after such date of origination; and (ii) ending on the date that is 24 weeks after such date of origination; (5) the term “covered property damage cost” means a cost related to property damage and vandalism or looting due to public disturbances that occurred during 2020 that was not covered by insurance or other compensation; (6) the term “covered rent obligation” means rent obligated under a leasing agreement in force before February 15, 2020; (7) the term “covered supplier cost” means an expenditure made by an entity to a supplier of goods for the supply of goods that—(A) are essential to the operations of the entity at the time at which the expenditure is made; and (B) is made pursuant to a contract, order, or purchase order—(i) in effect at any time before the covered period with respect to the applicable covered loan; or (ii) with respect to perishable goods, in effect before or at any time during the covered period with respect to the applicable covered loan; (8) the term “covered utility payment” means payment for a service for the distribution of electricity, gas, water, transportation, telephone, or internet access for which service began before February 15, 2020; (9) the term “covered worker protection expenditure”—(A) means an operating or a capital expenditure to facilitate the adaptation of the business activities of an entity to comply with requirements established or guidance issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or any equivalent requirements established or guidance issued by a State or local government, during the period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending the date on which the national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) expires related to the maintenance of standards for sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer safety requirement related to COVID–19; (B) may include—(i) the purchase, maintenance, or renovation of assets that create or expand—(I) a drive-through window facility; (II) an indoor, outdoor, or combined air or air pressure ventilation or filtration system; (III) a physical barrier such as a sneeze guard; (IV) an expansion of additional indoor, outdoor, or combined business space; (V) an onsite or offsite health screening capability; or (VI) other assets relating to the compliance with the requirements or guidance described in subparagraph (A), as determined by the Administrator in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor; and (ii) the purchase of—(I) covered materials described in section 328.103(a) of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; (II) particulate filtering facepiece respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, including those approved only for emergency use authorization; or (III) other kinds of personal protective equipment, as determined by the Administrator in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor; and (C) does not include residential real property or intangible property; (10) the term “eligible recipient” means the recipient of a covered loan; (11) the term “expected forgiveness amount” means the amount of principal that a lender reasonably expects a borrower to expend during the covered period on the sum of any—(A) payroll costs; (B) payments of interest on any covered mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation); (C) payments on any covered rent obligation; (D) covered utility payments; (E) covered operations expenditures; (F) covered property damage costs; (G) covered supplier costs; and (H) covered worker protection expenditures; and (12) the terms “payroll costs” and “seasonal employer” have the meanings given those terms in section 636(a)(36) of this title. Such payroll costs shall not include qualified wages taken into account in determining the credit allowed under section 2301 of the CARES Act, qualified wages taken into account in determining the credit allowed under subsection (a) or (d) of section 303 of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2020, or premiums taken into account in determining the credit allowed under section 6432 of title 26. Such payroll costs shall not include qualified wages taken into account in determining the credit allowed under subsection (a) or (d) of section 303 of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020.11 So in original. (b) ForgivenessAn eligible recipient shall be eligible for forgiveness of indebtedness on a covered loan in an amount equal to the sum of the following costs incurred and payments made during the covered period:(1) Payroll costs. (2) Any payment of interest on any covered mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation). (3) Any payment on any covered rent obligation. (4) Any covered utility payment. (5) Any covered operations expenditure. (6) Any covered property damage cost. (7) Any covered supplier cost. (8) Any covered worker protection expenditure. (c) Treatment of amounts forgiven(1) In generalAmounts which have been forgiven under this section shall be considered canceled indebtedness by a lender authorized under section 636(a) of this title. (2) Purchase of guaranteesFor purposes of the purchase of the guarantee for a covered loan by the Administrator, amounts which are forgiven under this section shall be treated in accordance with the procedures that are otherwise applicable to a loan guaranteed under section 636(a) of this title. (3) RemittanceNot later than 90 days after the date on which the amount of forgiveness under this section is determined, the Administrator shall remit to the lender an amount equal to the amount of forgiveness, plus any interest accrued through the date of payment. (4) Advance purchase of covered loan(A) ReportA lender authorized under section 636(a) of this title, or, at the discretion of the Administrator, a third party participant in the secondary market, may, report to the Administrator an expected forgiveness amount on a covered loan or on a pool of covered loans of up to 100 percent of the principal on the covered loan or pool of covered loans, respectively. (B) PurchaseThe Administrator shall purchase the expected forgiveness amount described in subparagraph (A) as if the amount were the principal amount of a loan guaranteed under section 636(a) of this title. (C) TimingNot later than 15 days after the date on which the Administrator receives a report under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall purchase the expected forgiveness amount under subparagraph (B) with respect to each covered loan to which the report relates. (d) Limits on amount of forgiveness(1) Amount may not exceed principalThe amount of loan forgiveness under this section shall not exceed the principal amount of the financing made available under the applicable covered loan. (2) Reduction based on reduction in number of employees(A) In generalThe amount of loan forgiveness under this section shall be reduced, but not increased, by multiplying the amount described in subsection (b) by the quotient obtained by dividing—(i) the average number of full-time equivalent employees per month employed by the eligible recipient during the covered period; by (ii)(I) at the election of the borrower—(aa) the average number of full-time equivalent employees per month employed by the eligible recipient during the period beginning on February 15, 2019 and ending on June 30, 2019; or (bb) the average number of full-time equivalent employees per month employed by the eligible recipient during the period beginning on January 1, 2020 and ending on February 29, 2020; or (II) in the case of an eligible recipient that is seasonal employer, as determined by the Administrator, the average number of full-time equivalent employees per month employed by the eligible recipient during the period beginning on February 15, 2019 and ending on June 30, 2019. (B) Calculation of average number of employeesFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the average number of full-time equivalent employees shall be determined by calculating the average number of full-time equivalent employees for each pay period falling within a month. (3) Reduction relating to salary and wages(A) In generalThe amount of loan forgiveness under this section shall be reduced by the amount of any reduction in total salary or wages of any employee described in subparagraph (B) during the covered period that is in excess of 25 percent of the total salary or wages of the employee during the most recent full quarter during which the employee was employed before the covered period. (B) Employees describedAn employee described in this subparagraph is any employee who did not receive, during any single pay period during 2019, wages or salary at an annualized rate of pay in an amount more than $100,000. (4) Tipped workersAn eligible recipient with tipped employees described in section 203(m)(2)(A) of title 29 may receive forgiveness for additional wages paid to those employees. (5) Exemption for re-hires(A) In generalIn a circumstance described in subparagraph (B), the amount of loan forgiveness under this section shall be determined without regard to a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent employees of an eligible recipient or a reduction in the salary of 1 or more employees of the eligible recipient, as applicable, during the period beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on the date that is 30 days after March 27, 2020. (B) CircumstancesA circumstance described in this subparagraph is a circumstance—(i) in which—(I) during the period beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on the date that is 30 days after March 27, 2020, there is a reduction, as compared to February 15, 2020, in the number of full-time equivalent employees of an eligible recipient; and (II) not later than December 31, 2020 (or, with respect to a covered loan made on or after December 27, 2020, not later than the last day of the covered period with respect to such covered loan), the eligible employer has eliminated the reduction in the number of full-time equivalent employees; (ii) in which—(I) during the period beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on the date that is 30 days after March 27, 2020, there is a reduction, as compared to February 15, 2020, in the salary or wages of 1 or more employees of the eligible recipient; and (II) not later than December 31, 2020 (or, with respect to a covered loan made on or after December 27, 2020, not later than the last day of the covered period with respect to such covered loan), the eligible employer has eliminated the reduction in the salary or wages of such employees; or (iii) in which the events described in clause (i) and (ii) occur. (6) ExemptionsThe Administrator and the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe regulations granting de minimis exemptions from the requirements under this subsection. (7) Exemption based on employee availabilityDuring the period beginning on February 15, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020 (or, with respect to a covered loan made on or after December 27, 2020, ending on the last day of the covered period with respect to such covered loan), the amount of loan forgiveness under this section shall be determined without regard to a proportional reduction in the number of full-time equivalent employees if an eligible recipient, in good faith—(A) is able to document—(i) an inability to rehire individuals who were employees of the eligible recipient on February 15, 2020; and (ii) an inability to hire similarly qualified employees for unfilled positions on or before December 31, 2020 (or, with respect to a covered loan made on or after December 27, 2020, on or before the last day of the covered period with respect to such covered loan); or (B) is able to document an inability to return to the same level of business activity as such business was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance with requirements established or guidance issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020 (or, with respect to a covered loan made on or after December 27, 2020, ending on the last day of the covered period with respect to such covered loan), related to the maintenance of standards for sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer safety requirement related to COVID–19. (8) Limitation on forgivenessTo receive loan forgiveness under this section, an eligible recipient shall use at least 60 percent of the covered loan amount for payroll costs, and may use up to 40 percent of such amount for any payment of interest on any covered mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation), any payment on any covered rent obligation, any payment on any covered operations expenditure, any payment on any covered property damage cost, any payment on any covered supplier cost, any payment on any covered worker protection expenditure, or any covered utility payment. (e) ApplicationExcept as provided in subsection (l), an eligible recipient seeking loan forgiveness under this section shall submit to the lender that is servicing the covered loan an application, which shall include—(1) 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 Internal Revenue Service; and (B) State income, payroll, and unemployment insurance filings; (2) documentation, including cancelled checks, payment receipts, transcripts of accounts, purchase orders, orders, invoices, or other documents verifying payments on covered mortgage obligations, payments on covered rent obligations, payments on covered operations expenditures, payments on covered property damage costs, payments on covered supplier costs, payments on covered worker protection expenditures, and covered utility payments; (3) 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, make payments on covered operations expenditures, make payments on covered property damage costs, make payments on covered supplier costs, make payments on covered worker protection expenditures, or make covered utility payments; and (4) any other documentation the Administrator determines necessary. (f) Prohibition on forgiveness without documentationNo eligible recipient shall receive forgiveness under this section without submitting to the lender that is servicing the covered loan the documentation required under subsection (e) or the certification required under subsection (l), as applicable. (g) DecisionNot later than 60 days after the date on which a lender receives an application for loan forgiveness under this section from an eligible recipient, the lender shall issue a decision on the an 1 application. (h) Hold harmless(1) DefinitionIn this subsection, the term “initial or second draw PPP loan” means a covered loan or a loan under paragraph (37) of section 636(a) of this title. (2) RelianceA lender may rely on any certification or documentation submitted by an applicant for an initial or second draw PPP loan or an eligible recipient or eligible entity receiving initial or second draw PPP loan that—(A) is submitted pursuant to all applicable statutory requirements, regulations, and guidance related to initial or second draw PPP loan, including under paragraph (36) or (37) of section 636(a) of this title and under this section; and (B) attests that the applicant, eligible recipient, or eligible entity, as applicable, has accurately provided the certification or documentation to the lender in accordance with the statutory requirements, regulations, and guidance described in subparagraph (A). (3) No enforcement actionWith respect to a lender that relies on a certification or documentation described in paragraph (2) related to an initial or second draw PPP loan, an enforcement action may not be taken against the lender, and the lender shall not be subject to any penalties relating to loan origination or forgiveness of the initial or second draw PPP loan, if—(A) the lender acts in good faith relating to loan origination or forgiveness of the initial or second draw PPP loan based on that reliance; and (B) all other relevant Federal, State, local, and other statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the lender are satisfied with respect to the initial or second draw PPP loan. (i) Tax treatmentFor purposes of title 26—(1) no amount shall be included in the gross income of the eligible recipient by reason of forgiveness of indebtedness described in subsection (b), (2) no deduction shall be denied, no tax attribute shall be reduced, and no basis increase shall be denied, by reason of the exclusion from gross income provided by paragraph (1), and (3) in the case of an eligible recipient that is a partnership or S corporation—(A) any amount excluded from income by reason of paragraph (1) shall be treated as tax exempt income for purposes of sections 705 and 1366 of title 26, and (B) except as provided by the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate), any increase in the adjusted basis of a partner’s interest in a partnership under section 705 of title 26 with respect to any amount described in subparagraph (A) shall equal the partner’s distributive share of deductions resulting from costs giving rise to forgiveness described in subsection (b). (j) Rule of constructionThe cancellation of indebtedness on a covered loan under this section shall not otherwise modify the terms and conditions of the covered loan. (k) RegulationsNot later than 30 days after March 27, 2020, the Administrator shall issue guidance and regulations implementing this section. (l) Simplified application(1) Covered loans up to $150,000(A) In generalWith respect to a covered loan made to an eligible recipient that is not more than $150,000, the covered loan amount shall be forgiven under this section if the eligible recipient—(i) signs and submits to the lender a certification, to be established by the Administrator not later than 24 days after December 27, 2020, which—(I) shall be not more than 1 page in length; and (II) shall only require the eligible recipient to provide—(aa) a description of the number of employees the eligible recipient was able to retain because of the covered loan; (bb) the estimated amount of the covered loan amount spent by the eligible recipient on payroll costs; and (cc) the total loan value; (ii) attests that the eligible recipient has—(I) accurately provided the required certification; and (II) complied with the requirements under section 636(a)(36) of this title; and (iii) retains records relevant to the form that prove compliance with such requirements—(I) with respect to employment records, for the 4-year period following submission of the form; and (II) with respect to other records, for the 3-year period following submission of the form. (B) Limitation on requiring additional materialsAn eligible recipient of a covered loan that is not more than $150,000 shall not, at the time of the application for forgiveness, be required to submit any application or documentation in addition to the certification and information required to substantiate forgiveness. (C) Records for other requirementsNothing in subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be construed to exempt an eligible recipient from having to provide documentation independently to a lender to satisfy relevant Federal, State, local, or other statutory or regulatory requirements, or in connection with an audit as authorized under subparagraph (E). (D) Demographic informationThe certification established by the Administrator under subparagraph (A) shall include a means by which an eligible recipient may, at the discretion of the eligible recipient, submit demographic information of the owner of the eligible recipient, including the sex, race, ethnicity, and veteran status of the owner. (E) Audit authorityThe Administrator may—(i) review and audit covered loans described in subparagraph (A); (ii) access any records described in subparagraph (A)(iii); and (iii) in the case of fraud, ineligibility, or other material noncompliance with applicable loan or loan forgiveness requirements, modify—(I) the amount of a covered loan described in subparagraph (A); or (II) the loan forgiveness amount with respect to a covered loan described in subparagraph (A). (2) Covered loans of more than $150,000(A) In generalWith respect to a covered loan in an amount that is more than $150,000, the eligible recipient shall submit to the lender that is servicing the covered loan the documentation described in subsection (e). (B) Demographic informationThe process for submitting the documentation described in subsection (e) shall include a means by which an eligible recipient may, at the discretion of the eligible recipient, submit demographic information of the owner of the eligible recipient, including the sex, race, ethnicity, and veteran status of the owner. (3) Forgiveness audit plan(A) In generalNot later than 45 days after December 27, 2020, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives an audit plan that details—(i) the policies and procedures of the Administrator for conducting forgiveness reviews and audits of covered loans; and (ii) the metrics that the Administrator shall use to determine which covered loans will be audited. (B) ReportsNot later than 30 days after the date on which the Administrator submits the audit plan required under subparagraph (A), and each month thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report on the forgiveness review and audit activities of the Administrator under this subsection, which shall include—(i) the number of active reviews and audits; (ii) the number of reviews and audits that have been ongoing for more than 60 days; and (iii) any substantial changes made to the audit plan submitted under subparagraph (A).

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