(Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan...

21
(Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness May 13, 2020

Transcript of (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan...

Page 1: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

(Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgivenessMay 13, 2020

Page 2: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 2

Agenda1 Paycheck Protection Program update2 (Re-)assessing need3 Positioning for forgiveness4 A look ahead – what’s next PresentersMac BernsteinPartner, Federal Law and Policy T: 202 799 [email protected] HoterAssociate, Corporate T: 202 799 [email protected] “Mick” HelmickiClient Development ExecutiveT +1 703 773 [email protected] HowiePartner, CorporateT +1 202 799 [email protected] VannPartner, EmploymentT +1 312 368 [email protected] information provided is not intended to constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only.

Page 3: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 3

Setting the stage▶ The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and protect payrolls in an unprecedented time▶ Accordingly, PPP loans have attractive features including the absence of guarantees and the ability to seek forgiveness for all or part of the loan▶ As a result, applicants need(ed) to certify that the loan was “necessary” in light of “current economic uncertainty” and meet other eligibility and usage criteria ▶ A second tranche of $310B in PPP funding passed into law on April 24▶ After a number of publicly held firms qualified for the program, Treasury said these and other companies with “adequate sources of liquidity” have until May 7 to repay the loan in full; subsequently extended to May 14▶ Congressional oversight provisions, including appointment of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis (with subpoena power) –sent letters May 8 demanding 5 large companies return PPP loans▶ Uncertainty remains – it is imperative to work with advisors to work through company specific issues relating to both need and forgiveness ‘‘ We have noted the large number of companies that have appropriately reevaluated their need for PPP loans and promptly repaid loan funds in response to SBA guidance reminding all borrowers of an important certification required to obtain a PPP loan. ’’Joint statement by Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Administrator JovitaCarranza on April 28, 2020

Page 4: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 4

PPP timeline: where we’ve beenApril 6: Q2-Q18 Published April 8: Q19-20 Published TREASURYGUIDANCEApril 6 April 13: Q21-Q25 Published; April 14: Q26-28 Published;April 15: Q29 Published; April 16: $349B Allocated &Applications ClosedApril 17: Q30 PublishedTREASURYGUIDANCE, FUNDS RUN OUTApril 13 April 23: Q31 PublishedApril 24: Q32-35 PublishedApril 24: Additional $310B Allocated to PPPApril 26: Q36 PublishedTREASURYGUIDANCE &ADDITIONAL PPPFUNDINGApril 20 April 28: Q37 PublishedApril 29: Q38-Q39 Published May 3: Q40-42 PublishedTREASURYGUIDANCEApril 27 May 5: Q43-Q44 PublishedMay 6: Q45 PublishedMay 7: Date to repay loan in full for public and other companies with “adequate sources of liquidity” TREASURY GUIDANCEMay 4 May 14: New date to repay loan in full for public and other companies with “adequate sources of liquidity” TREASURYGUIDANCEMay 11March 27:Foundation for the PaycheckProtection Program setCARES ACT ENACTEDMarch 23 April 3:Q1 Published TREASURYGUIDANCEMarch 30Week of:

Page 5: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 5

Blueprint for the days ahead(Re-)assess need Position for forgiveness Explore alternative programsConsider (re-)convening the board or management to reconfirm/reconsider “necessity” certification in light of new guidanceBoard or management to consider repayment (before or after May 14 and on accelerated or standard terms) vs. forgiveness Generally, loan amounts will be forgiven as long as:• Loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent and utility costs over the eight week period starting for the time that the loan proceeds are disbursed; and • Employee and compensation levels are maintainedPotentially a recertification of “necessity”For all loans over $2M, Secretary Mnuchinhas indicated full reviewBest option based on risks & circumstances Best practice for loan use, tracking & audit Others stimulus related programs may be (more) applicable based on circumstances:

• Deferral of employer taxes• Employee retention tax credit• Other tax programs• BARDA and other grant programs• Main Street Lending ProgramAlternatives to PPP that may be applicable

Page 6: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 6

Need: what does it mean?►Additional guidance (Q31) issued on April 23, 2020, clarified that a loan’s “necessity” needs to be determined in light of the applicant’s “current business activity” and “ability to access other sources of liquidity sufficient to support…ongoing operations in a manner that is not significantly detrimental to the business” ►Q31 and subsequent IFRs also introduced that applicants that applied before the guidance would be deemed to have made the certification in good faith if funds were returned by May 14►Continued focus on the facts and circumstances:- changed circumstances may matter (new company financing; improved outlook; etc.)- use of funds/other post loan activities►Additional scrutiny will likely be based on:- the borrower’s records and contemporaneous notes- consideration given to other sources of capital- loans over $2M (and possibly other loans) for which forgiveness is ultimately sought

Page 7: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 7

Assessing and documenting need►Companies strongly urged to consider all the facts and circumstances relating to loan necessity (including company’s current business activity and access to other sources of liquidity that won’t be significantly detrimental to its business), and to document in a board resolution (and in a memo to the file) the reasons in good faith company meets this revised “need” standard►Information for PPP Loan Memo – memo should consider the following factors in connection with establishing/reconfirming “need” for PPP Loan eligibility:

• loss of any current customers• report of the loss or extension of AR from customers• anticipated reduction in future customer/sales pipeline• any prior furloughs/RIFs/salary reductions• future furloughs/RIFs/salary reductions prevented or delayed by PPP Loan• availability of debt financing (eg, confirmation of no available offers for alternative debt financing at this time)• availability of equity financing from existing investors (eg, confirmation of no available offers for alternative equity/debt financing at this time) • confirmation no new investors have offered an alternative equity/debt financing, and acknowledgement that no new investors are likely to offer an alternative financing given the current state of the business and the economic crisis

• any other information evidencing the difficult financial state of the company (for example, significant liabilities, delayed or prolonged product development, anticipated events of default under credit facilities, etc.)• an assessment of cash balances as compared against the monthly burn rate and anticipated increased liabilities (eg, under credit facilities)• confirmation of fear that business and economy will become worse in the future

Page 8: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 8

Post PPP Loan planning: intended uses▶ We encourage directors and management to work with the company to underscore limited uses and, although not specifically required by the PPP, ensure that funds are segregated into a separate bank account:- Loan proceeds can only be used for the following:o Payroll costs (75% or greater of loan proceeds)o Interest on mortgage obligations, incurred before February 15, 2020o Rent, under lease agreements in force before February 15, 2020 ando Utilities, for which service began before February 15, 2020 (NOTE: the CARES Act limits utilities to electricity, gas, water, transportation, telephone or Internet access (CARES Act § 1106(b)(4).)- Draw a bright line: the company to open a new bank account that segregates loan proceedso No co-mingling of fundso Clean audit trail- Severe criminal and civil penalties for improper use of funds- Expect more clarification from the SBA on forgiveness in the coming weeks

Page 9: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 9

Post PPP Loan planning: payroll costs▶ Payroll costs that are eligible for loan forgiveness:- Salary, wages, commission or similar compensation (recent SBA guidance states that payroll costs include all cash compensation, including a housing stipend or allowance)- Payments for vacation, parental, family, medical or sick leave- Allowance for dismissal or separation- Payments for the provision of group health care benefits, including insurance premiums- Payments for retirement benefits- State or local payroll taxes (SUTA) ▶ Payroll costs specifically not eligible for loan forgiveness:- Payments to an independent contractor- Cash compensation in excess of $100,000- The employer’s share of federal payroll taxes- Qualified sick leave and qualified parental leave wages for which credit is allowed under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

Page 10: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com

Post PPP Loan planning: usageWeek 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8PayrollHealth benefitsRentUtilities EndForgivable PeriodLoanDisbursed Participants are eligible for loan forgiveness for the amounts spent on authorized expenses over the eight weeks after receiving the loan 75%+ of loan use<25% of loan use10

• 75% of the funds must be spent on payroll• A reduction to the loan forgiveness will be made if the average number of full-time employee equivalents (FTEs) per month during the eight-week period is less than the average number of employees per month during the look-back period • No reduction on a salary more than 25% per employee for those making under $100K, for those over $100K, salaries can be reduced to $100k

Page 11: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com

11

Post PPP Loan planning: exampleAnnual salary Weekly Annual cap Weekly cap 8-week capBob Edwards $ 250,000 $ 4,808 $ 100,000 $ 1,923 $ 15,385 Kim Fields $ 275,000 $ 5,288 $ 100,000 $ 1,923 $ 15,385 Jen Kim $ 80,000 $ 1,538 $ 80,000 $ 1,538 $ 12,308 Joe Smith $ 60,000 $ 1,154 $ 60,000 $ 1,154 $ 9,231 Salary registry Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 TotalBob Edwards $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $15,385 Kim Fields $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $ 1,923 $15,385 Jen Kim $ 1,538 $ 1,538 $ 1,538 $ 1,538 $ 1,538 $ 1,538 $ 1,538 $ 1,538 $12,308 Joe Smith $ 1,154 $ 1,154 $ 1,154 $ 1,154 $ 1,154 $ 1,154 $ 1,154 $ 1,154 $ 9,231 Total $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $52,309 Payroll spend plan detail Full cash compensation covered for 8 weeksPartial cash compensation covered for 8 weeks ($15,385 max per SBA guidance)Simple example profile• Four-person tech company• Employer paid healthcare

11

Page 12: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com

12

Post PPP Loan planning: exampleWeek 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 TotalPayroll $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $52,309 Health benefits $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $12,467RentUtilities Simple example profile• Four-person tech company• Employer paid healthcareThis number should map back to the average monthly payroll used to calculate the PPP loan amount; for example,$52,309 + $12,467 = $64,776 (for eight weeks or $32,388 monthly); therefore, it is likely that the PPP loan amount was:Average monthly payroll: $32,388 * 2.5 = $80,970Accounting for the $100,000 cash compensation cap, planned payroll and healthcare expenses equate to $64,776 or 80% of the PPP loan amount; this leaves $16,194 or 20% to allocate to rent, utilities and other allowable expenses

12

Page 13: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com

13

Post PPP Loan planning: exampleWeek 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 TotalPayroll $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $ 6,538 $52,309 Health benefits $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $ 1,558 $12,467RentUtilities Simple example profile• Four-person tech company• Employer paid healthcareEndforgivable periodLoandisbursed▶ Remember that any amount not spent in the period or amounts allocated to interest on any other debt obligation incurred before February 15, 2020 are not forgivable▶ Any portion of the loan that is not forgiven will carry an interest rate of 1.0% and is due to be paid back within two years; however, payments for the first six months can be deferred and there’s no pre-payment penalty

13

Page 14: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 14

Calculating the amount of loan forgiveness▶ Generally speaking (and subject to limitations noted below), the amount of loan forgiveness will be equal to the amounts the applicant can document that it paid in the eight weeks following the disbursement of the loan for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utilities▶ No amounts paid outside of the covered period will be forgiven nor will amounts allocated to interest on any other debt obligation incurred before February 15, 2020 ▶ Directors and company executives encouraged to plan for and manage spend and the various employment and payroll considerations associated with PPP loan forgiveness- Consistent with the policy of protecting jobs and salary during the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of forgiveness for a particular loan will be reduced if the borrower conducts layoffs or reduces salaries- However, where layoffs or salary cuts occur between February 15, 2020 and April 26, 2020, the loan forgiveness reduction formula will not penalize the borrower if the layoffs or salary cuts are reversed prior to June 30, 2020▶ Anticipate further guidance on forgiveness from lenders and the SBA

Page 15: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 15

Loan forgiveness haircuts▶ Loan forgiveness is predicated on how the loan proceeds are utilized over an eight-week period beginning on the date the lender makes the first disbursement of the loan▶ There are currently three haircut scenarios/tests in play:1. Use of loan proceeds: 75% or greater of loan proceeds must be spent on payroll costs; failure to maintain this ratio impacts forgiveness2. Average FTEs: Compare the average full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) during the eight-week period to the average FTEs from February 15, 2019 through June 30, 2019, or January 1, 2020 through February 29, 2020, depending on seasonality; a lower FTE number will result in a corresponding reduction in forgiveness3. Payroll reductions: If there has been a more than 25 percent reduction in salary and/or wages for any individual employee from the eight-week covered period in comparison to pay during the first quarter of 2020, it will result in a corresponding reduction in forgiveness; in order to truly understand the calculation behind this test, further guidance is required from the SBA

Page 16: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 16

Loan forgiveness process▶ Borrower can submit a request to the lender that is servicing the loan for forgiveness- request will include documents that verify the number of full-time equivalent employees and pay rates, as well as the payments on eligible mortgage, lease, and utility obligations- borrower must certify that the documents are true and that it used the forgiveness amount to keep employees and make eligible mortgage interest, rent, and utility payments ▶ Lender will likely compare forgiveness documents to documents submitted as part of the loan application- important to store documents submitted in the loan application process for comparison purposes ▶ In balancing loan need and PR risk, if the borrower’s circumstances have changed for the better, the borrower can pay back the loan (prior to May 14) and not seek forgiveness

Page 17: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 17

Audit preparation▶ Based on SBA and Treasury guidance, during the loan forgiveness process, many borrowers will be subject to audit▶ More guidance is expected, but in addition to board memos outlining the need for the PPP loan, companies should consider elements of the SBA 7(a) loan checklist which may be subject to audit as part of the loan forgiveness process:- 941s / period payroll reports- Lease(s)- Deed(s) for property- Mortgage(s) on property- Bills for rent- Bills for interest on mortgage- Utility bills- Proof of payment of payroll, rent, interest, utility- Business license- Financials from 2019- Financials for 1st and 2nd quarter 2020 - To bolster needo Forecast before COVID-19 o Forecast after COVID-19

Page 18: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com

Other programs to consider: tax relatedDeferred payment of employers portion of social security payroll tax (6.2%) otherwise due for the period ending December 31, 2020. Such deferred taxes are due in two installments: 50% by December 31, 2021, and 50% by December 31, 2022Deferral of employer Social Security taxes Refundable tax credit against employment taxes paid by eligible employers in an amount equal to 50% of the first $10,000 of “qualified wages” paid to employeesEmployee Tax Retention Credit Ability to utilize NOLs to offset taxable income and to generate refunds is substantially expanded Use ofnet operating losses (NOLs) Makes corporate AMT credits refundable in cash without regard to the income and other limitations of Section 53(c)Use ofcorporate AMT credits Increases the base for interest deductibility to 50% of EBITDA (from 30%) and allows taxpayers to elect to use EBITDA from 2019 for the taxable year 2020Increase in base for interest deductibility Permits 100% expensing/immediate write-off for costs incurred by a taxpayer to fund improvements to the interior portion of nonresidential real property Expensing of improvements18

Page 19: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com

Other programs to consider: Main Street Lending19

New loan facility Expanded loan facilityPriority loan facility▶ Borrower may apply to an eligible lender for term credit that has a four-year maturity with payments deferred during the first year, has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3%, and is pre-payable without penalty▶ As part of the loan application, the applicant will provide to the lender a number of certifications to establish that the applicant meets the criteria of an eligible borrower and will need to agree to restrictions on certain capital distributions and compensation▶ Ultimate decision whether to extend credit to the applicant will rest with the lenders who should "apply [their] own underwriting standards in evaluating the financial condition and creditworthiness of the borrower“▶ The Federal Reserve made clear that participation in the SBA PPP does not prohibit a borrower from also participating in the Main Street program▶ The Federal Reserve has indicated it shall purchase up to $600 billion in participating loans▶ The infrastructure and paperwork supporting the operations of the program have yet to be made public, but are forthcomingMinimum size $500,000 $500,000 $10,000,000Maximum size $25M or less based on 2019 adjusted EBITDA formulaSecurity and priority Need not be secured; must notbe contractually subordinatedto other loans or debt $25M or less based on 2019 adjusted EBITDA formula $200M or less based on 2019 adjusted EBITDA formulaSenior to or pari passu with other loans or debtinstruments Upsized tranche senior to or pari passu with other loans or debt instruments

Page 20: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

www.dlapiper.com 20

A look ahead: what’s next▶Continued scrutiny borrower “necessity” and forgiveness ▶Many interpretive questions, particularly on forgiveness, remain unanswered; Treasury and the SBA have indicated additional guidance by May 14 ▶Fourth COVID-19 response/relief/recovery package introduced May 12 in the House includes substantial revisions to PPP Loan program, including: - extension of the PPP Loan Program through 12/31/20- allowance for PPP recipients to also defer payroll tax payments- set-asides for businesses with fewer than 10 employees - set-asides for loans through community financial institutions and- broadened eligibility for critical care hospitals and local news media

Page 21: (Re-)assessing need and maximizing PPP Loan forgiveness/media/files/insights/events/2020/05/dla... · The PPP was designed to benefit “small” businesses to help save jobs and

21

Thank you