Yes, agricultural producers could use the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on some USDA loans to retain people on the payroll and offset some of their operational costs. The PPP was established by the US Federal
Government in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak . The PPP and Health Care Enhancement Act, signed into law in late April, increased the program’s budget by $310 billion. The PPP Flexibility Act made significant improvements to the program, allowing more time to spend cash and making it easier to have a loan forgiven completely.
The following is a high-level description of the PPP loan program:
- Small enterprises of all sizes are eligible.
- The loan matures in two years, and the interest rate is one percent.
- A loan taken after June 5, 2020, will have a five-year term.
- Upon disbursement of the loan, the loan covers expenses for 24 weeks.
- There is no need to make loan payments until either your forgiveness application is finalized or your 24-week covered period finishes, which is 10 months.
- It is not necessary to provide collateral or a personal guarantee.
- There are no charges.
- The debt can be forgiven, effectively converting it into a non-taxable gift.
How does a Paycheck Protection Program Work?
Small businesses can get loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that can be forgiven tax-free. There has been a lot of interest in these loans, but there has also been a lot of misunderstanding about how to receive them. The following steps will help you know about the working of PPP
- Loan submission
- Loan processing
- Loan closing
- Funding
Pros and Cons of a Paycheck Protection Program
Pros
- If you play your cards well, your PPP loans can be forgiven completely.
- There is no need for collateral or a personal guarantee with PPP loans.
- The PPP interest rate is ridiculously low.
- Small businesses benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program, and monies are still available.
- PPP money can be used for any reasonable business expense.
Cons
- Applying for a PPP loan is difficult.
- You must request PPP loan forgiveness, and if you don’t spend it wisely or keep good records, you must repay the loan.
- You have only two years to repay the PPP loan completely (UPDATE: NOW 5 YEARS)
- You can only borrow up to 2.5 times your average monthly salary (FOR 2021, SOME CAN QUALIFY FOR 3.5X)
- You will almost certainly be audited if you borrow more than $2 million.
