PPP’s 2021 Return Offers Second Loan Opportunity for Small Businesses, and More Time to Prepare

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is now fully reopened. As of Tuesday, all lenders could offer loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration program that is designed to help firms weather the pandemic.

Following Congress’ $284 billion appropriation for PPP in its latest COVID-19 relief package, businesses that previously received one of the forgivable loans in 2020 can apply for a second draw in 2021. This option for a second loan is available for businesses of fewer than 300 employees who show a 25% decline in gross receipts when comparing a quarter in 2020 to the same quarter in 2019. (Requirements vary for first-round draws.)

With businesses getting ready once again, the reopening might rekindle memories of April 3, 2020, when the program opened for the first time. With the CARES Act just days old, that led to a scramble as the banks that were facilitating loans and the businesses applying for them figured out a new program that was still being built. With the program being advertised as first-come, first-served, it also led to a push by businesses to get in line fast.

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