COVID-19: SBA Clarifies PPP Loan for the Self-Employed with No Employees

The SBA resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020.

If you are self-employed, with no employees, you absolutely need to qualify for this loan and its forgiveness. Here are details you need to know.

The self-employed with no employees is eligible for a PPP loan if:

  • You were in operation on February 15, 2020.
  • You are an individual with self-employment income (such as an independent contractor or a sole proprietor).
  • Your principal place of residence is in the United States.
  • You have filed or will file a Form 1040 Schedule C for 2019.

Steps to follow:  

  1. Find your 2019 IRS Form 1040 Schedule C line 31 net profit. (If you have not yet filed your 2019 tax return, fill out the Schedule C now. You need it for the loan.) If the net profit amount is over $100,000, reduce it to $100,000.
  1. Calculate the average monthly net profit amount (divide the amount from line 1 by 12).
  1.  Multiply the average monthly net profit amount from line 2 by 2.5.

In addition to your 2019 Schedule C to solidify your loan amount, you need documents to prove you are self-employed, such as a 2019 IRS Form 1099-MISC, invoice, bank statement, or book of record. You also must establish that you were in operation on or around February 15, 2020, with a 2020 invoice, bank statement, or book of record.

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The loan amount that qualifies for forgiveness:

  1. Eight weeks’ worth (8/52) of your 2019 net profit (last year—from Schedule C).
  1. Mortgage interest paid during the covered period (eight weeks from loan receipt) on real or personal business property (the interest you deduct on Schedule C).
  1. Rent payments during the covered period on lease agreements in force before February 15, 2020, to the extent they are deductible on Form 1040 Schedule C (business rent payments).
  1. Utility payments under service agreements dated before February 15, 2020, to the extent they are deductible on Form 1040 Schedule C (business utility payments).

The SBA will reduce your loan forgiveness by any COVID-19 qualified sick or family leave tax credit you claimed.

 Example:

Loan amount. Say your Schedule C shows $120,000 of net profit. Your limit is $100,000. Divide that by 12, and your monthly amount is $8,333. Multiply that by 2.5, and your loan amount is $20,833.

Loan forgiveness. Your loan forgiveness is $15,385 (8/52 of $100,000) plus qualifying interest, rent, and utilities not to exceed total loan forgiveness of more than $20,513.

If you are wondering how the Paycheck Protection Program may benefit you, please contact Manay CPA for a virtual appointment.  We hope this summary will be helpful in your understanding of the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program available for you as a self-employed with no employees.

Together, we can get through this.

Good thoughts for you and your loved ones.

Burcu Bree Manay, CPA,MPAc, CTC
President & Managing Partner

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Manay CPA is a reputable, full-service CPA firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 2001, we provide comprehensive accounting and tax solutions to individuals and businesses across all 50 states.

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