What You Need to Know About PPP Loans
If you are interested in using PPP loans, you need to know how they work. These loans can be used for business purposes, such as buying a restaurant or building a new office. You can also get a loan for your home, but the terms can be confusing.
Fortunately, we’ve put together some information to explain how they work.
What are PPP Loans?
PPP loans are low interest loans that are available to certain small businesses. They can be used to help with payroll costs. You must be able to meet certain criteria in order to get a loan.
The government and lenders involved with the PPP program are not allowed to charge any processing fees to small businesses. You must also prove that you need the loan in order to keep your business running.
One of the main purposes for these loans was to help small businesses protect their employees and property. However, there have been some instances of fraud with these loans. Fortunately, there are some guidelines to help you avoid falling into this trap.
The first thing you should do is set up a separate account to track your PPP funds. This way, you can ensure that you are following all of the correct laws. You should also consult a financial advisor or accountant to make sure that you are making the most of your PPP.
How do PPP Loans Work?
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a federally funded loan that helps businesses with payroll costs. These funds are provided through the Small Business Administration, credit unions, and banks. They help businesses retain their employees.
To qualify, a business must have less than 500 employees, be a private nonprofit organization, or be a veteran group. They must also have been in operation as of February 15, 2020.
The PPP provides up to $10 million in loans to small businesses. The loans come with a 1% interest rate for two years. However, they can be forgiven in part if they are used to pay for qualified expenses.
The first time an applicant applies for PPP, they may be eligible for up to 2.5 times their average monthly payroll. This amount is determined by the lender.
Did celebrities get PPP Loans and money?
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, several wealthy celebrities took advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program to keep their businesses running. These loans were supposedly designed to help struggling small businesses, but some recipients raised eyebrows due to their powerful political connections.
Jay-Z and Kanye West, for example, were among the high-profile stars that received millions of dollars in PPP loans. Their companies are estimated to be worth around $3 billion, and Kanye’s recently secured a ten-year collaboration with Gap.
Several other celebs, including Tom Brady and Reese Witherspoon, were also reported to have taken out PPP loans. However, it’s not clear who was involved in the lending process.
A business consultant in Atlanta was paid a fee for every loan that was funded. He’s listed as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in six other lawsuits, and the federal government has indicted 19 people in Georgia for fraud related to PPP loans.
Businesses that took PPP loans?
A number of businesses have taken out Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. These are forgivable loans meant to help small businesses through the coronavirus pandemic. The loans were part of a relief bill known as the CARES Act.
The loan was expected to be forgivable if a business kept employees on payroll. But many large companies took advantage of loose language in the rules to get PPP loans.
While the program was designed to benefit small businesses, billionaires and politicians got the lion’s share. Several of the companies that received PPP loans were publicly traded. They were able to use other sources of capital to repay their loans.
Other companies who received loans included the Los Angeles Lakers, Shake Shack and Ruth’s Steak House. One of the largest recipients was the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, which received $5 million to $10 million.
PPP Loans Summary
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are designed to protect paychecks and keep businesses in operation. PPP provides loans to small businesses, including restaurants, hotels, construction companies, medical practices, and car dealerships.
Businesses are eligible for loan forgiveness if they commit to using a certain percentage of the money on payroll costs. The amount you are required to use on payroll is different for each type of business. For example, businesses in the food and accommodation industries can get a higher amount.
The PPP was created as part of CARES Act, which passed during the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. It provided $659 billion in loans to small businesses. However, the program was poorly targeted, and three-quarters of the benefits went to unintended recipients.