Senate Nears Deal to Extend PPP Spending Window

WASHINGTON—The Senate worked to coalesce on a deal that would double the amount of time businesses have to spend loans obtained through the Paycheck Protection Program, which is designed to help keep workers on payroll during the coronavirus epidemic.

“We have an agreement in principle on the basis of the language. We’re awaiting technical feedback from our Democratic colleagues,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) told reporters, with senators aiming to pass it as early as Thursday through unanimous consent before leaving Washington until June.

The change to the program would extend the time period to 16 weeks, and must be approved by the House. Under the current rule, the earliest recipients of PPP funds must finish using them by May 29.

Separately, House Democrats are expected next week to bring to the floor a bill to change the $660 billion program’s time frame, and change accessibility requirements. To become law, either bill would have to pass both chambers and be signed by the president.

The Resilience of the Concierge Medicine Practice (Featuring Brian Kane, CPA)

Please join us for this fast paced webinar that will outline everything you need to know about The Concierge Medicine Practice.

Webinar title: The Resilience of the Concierge Medicine Practice

Webinar tagline: A Model for Thriving Professionally, Personally and Financially in Uncertain Times

 REGISTER HERE

Description/Learning objectives: For physicians committed to their independence, the COVID-19 crisis has been a pressure test, starkly revealing the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of traditional practices. The pandemic has also served as a genuine catalyst for change, providing physicians with a compelling reason to consider the professionally fulfilling and economically sustainable alternative of concierge medicine.

 

In this informative webinar, learn how the financial, clinical and operational hallmarks of a concierge practice are key to its resilience during COVID-19 and healthcare reform…and why the model is strong enough to withstand other challenges yet to come in a constantly evolving healthcare system.

 

Join us for a revealing, fast-moving discussion with:

  • Concierge physicians John Valenti, MD and Shalini Kaneriya, MD, who share their personal journeys of change to the membership medicine model, and how their practices continue to sustain during the pandemic.

  • Brian Kane, CPA, founder of BJ Kane & Co., a financial advisor who specializes in setting up efficient and profitable private practices for physician clients.

  • Terry Bauer, CEO of Specialdocs Consultants, a pioneer in transitioning and supporting successful concierge practices nationwide for almost two decades.

Details to follow, so follow us on our social media pages, @BJKaneandCo. Presented by Medical Economics and Specialdocs Consultants.

EIDL

Notice: Lapse in Appropriations

SBA is unable to accept new applications at this time for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding. 

Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information go to coronavirus-covid-19

Important PPP update

Many of you have applied for the PPP loan being offered by the government/SBA and expect your funds to be available within the next couple of weeks.  B.J. Kane & Company, P.C. is advising all of our clients to make sure that any and all PPP funds are deposited into a dedicated Corporate checking account. This means that most of you will probably need to open a second checking account with your current bank.  The purpose of having a dedicated PPP account is to have clear and concise tracking of all PPP funds and not to comingle these funds with any other Corporate monies.  At some point, the government/SBA will want records and documentation that PPP funds were only used for payroll, rent, and utilities. This will be much easier to prove with a dedicated checking account and will minimize the chances of having to pay back the loan, provided all other requirements were met.  Once you open your dedicated PPP checking account, please remember to give your new checking account information to your payroll processing company as well.

 

If you have any questions or need additional advice, please feel free to reach out to your primary point of contact at B.J. Kane & Company, P.C.  Wisihing you all continued health and safety!  

Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Program for Providers During COVID-19 Emergency

Medicare is accepting and processing the Accelerated/Advance Payment Requests during COVID-19 emergency.  Most providers will be able to receive up to 100% of the Medicare payment amount for a three-month period.  MD, DC, and PA Medicare (MD, DC, PA) carrier (Novitas) will calculate the maximum payment amount.  VA Medicare (Palmetto GBA) has a different form and VA divisions need to specify the request payment amount.

 The request form will be completed with your Medicare PTAN and Group NPI combination.  CMS will issue the payment check and recoupment of payment from your Medicare PTAN and Group NPI combination. 

 

The below link shows an informational fact sheet on the accelerated/advance payment program:

Fact Sheet

 

CMS anticipates that the payments will be issued within seven days of the provider’s request.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Information

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) INFORMATION SHEET: 

BORROWERS 

The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. All loan terms will be the same for everyone. 

The loan amounts will be forgiven as long as: 

 The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8 week period after the loan is made; and 

 Employee and compensation levels are maintained. 

Payroll costs are capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee. Due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs. 

Loan payments will be deferred for 6 months. 

When can I apply? 

 Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for and receive loans to cover their payroll and other certain expenses through existing SBA lenders. 

 Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply for and receive loans to cover their payroll and other certain expenses through existing SBA lenders. 

 Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans as soon as they are approved and enrolled in the program. 

Where can I apply? You can apply through any existing SBA lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. Visit www.sba.gov for a list of SBA lenders. 

Who can apply? All businesses – including nonprofits, veterans organizations, Tribal business concerns, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors – with 500 or fewer employees can apply. Businesses in certain industries can have more than 500 employees if they meet applicable SBA employee-based size standards for those industries (click HERE for additional detail). 

For this program, the SBA’s affiliation standards are waived for small businesses (1) in the hotel and food services industries (click HERE for NAICS code 72 to confirm); or (2) that are franchises in the SBA’s Franchise Directory (click HERE to check); or (3) that receive financial assistance from small business investment companies licensed by the SBA. Additional guidance may be released as appropriate. 

What do I need to apply? You will need to complete the Paycheck Protection Program loan application and submit the application with the required documentation to an approved lender that is available to process your application by June 30, 2020. Click HERE for the application. 

What other documents will I need to include in my application? You will need to provide your lender with payroll documentation. 

Do I need to first look for other funds before applying to this program? No. We are waiving the usual SBA requirement that you try to obtain some or all of the loan funds from other sources (i.e., we are waiving the Credit Elsewhere requirement). 

How long will this program last? Although the program is open until June 30, 2020, we encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap and lenders need time to process your loan. 

How many loans can I take out under this program? Only one. 

What can I use these loans for? You should use the proceeds from these loans on your: 

 Payroll costs, including benefits; 

 Interest on mortgage obligations, incurred before February 15, 2020; 

 Rent, under lease agreements in force before February 15, 2020; and 

 Utilities, for which service began before February 15, 2020. 

What counts as payroll costs? Payroll costs include: 

 Salary, wages, commissions, or tips (capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee); 

 Employee benefits including costs for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave; allowance for separation or dismissal; payments required for the provisions of group health care benefits including insurance premiums; and payment of any retirement benefit;  State and local taxes assessed on compensation; and  For a sole proprietor or independent contractor: wages, commissions, income, or net earnings from self-employment, capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee. 

How large can my loan be? Loans can be for up to two months of your average monthly payroll costs from the last year plus an additional 25% of that amount. That amount is subject to a $10 million cap. If you are a seasonal or new business, you will use different applicable time periods for your calculation. Payroll costs will be capped at $100,000 annualized for each employee. 

How much of my loan will be forgiven? You will owe money when your loan is due if you use the loan amount for anything other than payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities payments over the 8 weeks after getting the loan. Due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs. You will also owe money if you do not maintain your staff and payroll. 

 Number of Staff: Your loan forgiveness will be reduced if you decrease your full-time employee headcount. 

 Level of Payroll: Your loan forgiveness will also be reduced if you decrease salaries and wages by more than 25% for any employee that made less than $100,000 annualized in 2019. 

 Re-Hiring: You have until June 30, 2020 to restore your full-time employment and salary levels for any changes made between February 15, 2020 and April 26, 2020. 

How can I request loan forgiveness? You can submit a request to the lender that is servicing the loan. The 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. You must certify that the documents are true and that you used the forgiveness amount to keep employees and make eligible mortgage interest, rent, and utility payments. The lender must make a decision on the forgiveness within 60 days. 

What is my interest rate? 0.50% fixed rate. 

When do I need to start paying interest on my loan? All payments are deferred for 6 months; however, interest will continue to accrue over this period. 

When is my loan due? In 2 years. 

Can I pay my loan earlier than 2 years? Yes. There are no prepayment penalties or fees. 

Do I need to pledge any collateral for these loans? No. No collateral is required. 

Do I need to personally guarantee this loan? No. There is no personal guarantee requirement. ***However, if the proceeds are used for fraudulent purposes, the U.S. government will pursue criminal charges against you.*** 

What do I need to certify? As part of your application, you need to certify in good faith that: 

 Current economic uncertainty makes the loan necessary to support your ongoing operations. 

 The funds will be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or to make mortgage, lease, and utility payments. 

 You have not and will not receive another loan under this program. 

 You will provide to the lender documentation that verifies the number of full-time equivalent employees on payroll and the dollar amounts of payroll costs, covered mortgage interest payments, covered rent payments, and covered utilities for the eight weeks after getting this loan. 

 Loan forgiveness will be provided for the sum of documented payroll costs, covered mortgage interest payments, covered rent payments, and covered utilities. Due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs. 

 All the information you provided in your application and in all supporting documents and forms is true and accurate. Knowingly making a false statement to get a loan under this program is punishable by law. 

 You acknowledge that the lender will calculate the eligible loan amount using the tax documents you submitted. You affirm that the tax documents are identical to those you submitted to the IRS. And you also understand, acknowledge, and agree that the lender can share the tax information with the SBA’s authorized representatives, including authorized representatives of the SBA Office of Inspector General, for the purpose of compliance with SBA Loan Program Requirements and all SBA reviews. 

Tips for organizing your tax information 4

4. Start worksheets and lists for 2019 and 2020

If you plan to itemize your tax deductions, a good rule of thumb is to start a checklist of questions to gather pertinent information.

For example, you may need to get tax information from your child care provider, or you may need to figure out the number of square feet in your home office.

You should also keep a record showing how you estimated amounts or allocated them between different categories.

Aside from being necessary if the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ever questions your return, that information may be useful in future tax years.

Tips for organizing your tax information 2

2. Group tax documents by category

Depending on the complexity of your tax return, you may want to use file folders, paper clips, boxes, or other methods to categorize documents.

Entering information in TaxAct is much easier if you separate your income, deductions, and credits information.

If you have one or more businesses, you’ll need to keep each business’ information separate as well.

Tips for organizing your tax information

1. Designate an easy-to-access place for tax documents

If the place you want to keep documents isn’t easy to get to, it won’t get used consistently.

Even if you intend to scan documents, you need a place to store them temporarily.

Consider choosing something you can reach with one hand, like a shelf or folder, even while holding a stack of mail.

If you don’t let that Form W-2 or Form 1099 hit the kitchen counter, it won’t get lost.