FAQs About Round 2 Of The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.
In March 2020, the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act brought much-needed relief to small businesses with the first round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. These forgivable loans helped cover payroll expenses, rent, and utilities for small businesses struggling as a result of the pandemic.
Unfortunately, funds were depleted and PPP loans were no longer being issued. That is until the passage of legislation on December 27, 2020, which included additional funding for a second round of PPP funding.
Whether you’ve already been through the PPP application process or you’re searching for funding for the first time, this post is for you. We’re going to cover the most frequently asked questions surrounding the second round of PPP funding. We’ll cover topics such as the requirements you must meet to receive a loan, how funds can be used, and whether you can receive another PPP loan if you already received one (spoiler alert: you can!)
Keep reading to find the answers to your questions about PPP loans. Get your PPP FAQs, here:
Application & Eligibility
When is the deadline to apply for a PPP loan?
Applications for Round 2 of PPP loans open the week of January 11, 2021. The deadline for applying for a PPP loan is March 31, 2021.
How much money can I get from the PPP?
Borrowers can receive a PPP loan equal to 2.5 times average monthly payroll costs in 2019 or 2020. Borrowers in the accommodations and food services sectors can receive loans equal to 3.5 times average monthly payroll costs in 2019 or 2020. Maximum borrowing amounts are capped at $10 million for first-time borrowers and $2 million for borrowers taking a second loan.
Am I eligible for a PPP loan?
There are a few requirements for receiving a PPP loan. If this is your first PPP loan (first draw), you are eligible if you meet the size standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA). For most industries, this is 500 or fewer employees. If you have multiple business locations, you may still qualify provided each location meets the SBA’s size standards. Different size limitations may apply to specific industries.
If you are applying for a second PPP loan (second draw), the size standards are tightened up. You may not have more than 300 employees. For businesses with multiple locations, each location must have 300 or fewer employees.
Businesses applying for a second draw must also show a reduction of at least 25% in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.
Whether you’re taking your first or second draw, all eligible businesses must have been in operation prior to February 15, 2020.
Where can I apply for a round 2 PPP loan?
There are a number of banks and lenders that are or will be accepting applications for the second round of PPP loans. If you previously received a PPP loan, you can apply for a second loan with your original lender. Currently, there are no rules prohibiting you from selecting another lender for your second loan, if you so choose.
If you’re new to PPP loans, you can start your search with your own bank or financial institution. You can also explore other banks and credit unions in your area. And don’t just look to the big lenders — many borrowers in the first round found great success working with smaller, lesser-known lenders.
You can even find an online lender that simplifies the application process. Why go to your local bank when you can check out these online lenders that offer PPP loans from the comfort of your home or office?
Can I apply for a new PPP loan if I already got one?
If you received a PPP loan in the first round, you may qualify for a second draw provided you meet certain conditions. In order to receive a second draw, you must meet the following requirements:
- No more than 300 employees
- Funds from the first draw have been or will be spent on authorized expenses
- Must have had at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts during comparable quarters in 2020 relative to 2019
If your business has multiple locations, you may still qualify for funding provided each location has 300 or fewer employees. Publically-traded businesses or businesses with strong ties with the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong) are ineligible to receive PPP loans.
In some cases, you may be able to modify your original loan application if all or a portion of loan funds were not accepted. Talk with your lender to find out if you qualify.
What’s the difference between the first and second draw?
Businesses that are taking a first draw for the second round of PPP funding did not previously receive a PPP loan. If a business did not accept all or a portion of a loan in the first round of funding, they may be able to modify their original applications for a first draw.
If a business previously received a PPP loan and accepted the full amount, they may qualify for a second draw — in other words, a second loan.
There are a few key differences between the first and second draw in terms of how to qualify. To qualify for a second draw, businesses must have 300 or fewer employees. For a first draw, the requirement stands at 500 or fewer. There may be some size standard exceptions based on your industry.
Borrowers applying for a second draw must also demonstrate a reduction of at least 25% in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.
Does my first PPP loan have to be forgiven to get a second one?
Your first PPP loan does not have to be forgiven in order to qualify for a second one. However, you must have already spent or plan to spend all funds from your first loan in order to qualify for a second draw.
What is a CFI and am I eligible to apply through a CFI?
A CFI is a Community Financial Institution. CFIs include Community Financial Development Institutions (CDFI), Community Development Corporations (CDC), Minority Depository Institutions (MDI), and Microlender Intermediaries. Many CFIs are accepting PPP loan applications.
Applications from CFIs are being prioritized by the SBA. These applications will be the first in the second round of PPP funding to be accepted and processed by the SBA.
CFIs work with underserved businesses and communities. Allowing these lenders to submit applications first can help many businesses — particularly those that didn’t receive funding in the first round — get a PPP loan in this round.
You may be eligible to apply through a CFI if your business is located in a rural area or underserved community. Smaller businesses requiring smaller loans and businesses owned by women or minorities may also be eligible to apply. Contact CFIs in your area to find out if you’re eligible.
Using Your PPP Loan
How can I use my PPP funds?
For the second round of PPP funding, there are a number of ways you can spend your funds to receive loan forgiveness. Similar to the first round, you may receive loan forgiveness by using your loan to cover payroll expenses, mortgage or rent payments, or utilities.
With round two, there are additional qualifying uses for PPP funds. Funds can be used to purchase personal protective equipment for employees or to cover other expenses related to government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions. Funds may also be used to pay for software or cloud computing services used for inventory, accounting, record keeping, human resources, or supply tracking. Supplier costs necessary for the operations of the business are also covered. Finally, businesses that were impacted by riots or other civil unrest that did not have damages covered by property insurance or were not already compensated in other ways may use PPP funds to cover the costs of damages.
One last thing to keep in mind is that in order to receive full loan forgiveness, at least 60% of funds must be spent on payroll expenses.
Do the new loan usage guidelines apply to first draw PPP loans?
The expanded loan usage guidelines apply to all loans in the second round of PPP funding. This means that first draw PPP loans and second draw PPP loans may be used toward these new qualifying expenses.
Getting PPP Forgiveness
How do I apply for forgiveness?
You can apply for loan forgiveness once you have used all funds that you want to have forgiven. This can be all or a portion of your loan. Remember, to receive full loan forgiveness, you must have spent your loan on qualifying expenses, and at least 60% of loan funds must have been used for payroll expenses. You must also maintain your employee headcount and not decrease any employee’s salaries or wages by more than 25%; otherwise, your amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced.
When you’re ready to apply for loan forgiveness, contact your lender to receive the correct loan forgiveness application. If you meet specific conditions, you may be eligible to fill out a shortened version of the application.
In addition to your application, you will also need documentation supporting how loan funds were spent. This includes but is not limited to bank account statements, tax forms, receipts, canceled checks, or invoices. This documentation will be submitted to your lender along with your forgiveness application.
After you have completed your application and compiled your documentation, this packet will need to be submitted to your lender. Make sure to communicate with your lender throughout the process to determine the status of your application, if more documentation is needed, or if you have any questions about the process. Your lender will let you know if your application was accepted, the amount of loan forgiveness, and any loan amount that was not forgiven. If all or a portion of your loan is not forgiven, your lender will provide you with information on when you need to start repaying your loan.
One final thing to note is that your loan forgiveness application should be submitted prior to the maturity date of your loan. If you do not apply for loan forgiveness within 10 months of the last day of your covered period, your loan will no longer be deferred and you will need to start making payments.
Is PPP forgiveness going to be automatic?
While Congress is pushing for smaller loans to be automatically forgiven, there is no legislation in place as of yet. The SBA has simplified the loan forgiveness application for smaller loans, offering some relief to borrowers. We will continue to publish updates if legislation is passed in the future.
PPP & Taxes
Do the new tax deduction rules apply to the first round of PPP funding?
Initially, expenses paid for with PPP funds could not be claimed as deductions on income tax returns. Fortunately, Congress made a change in December 2020 that now allows expenses paid for using the second round of PPP funds to be deducted from a business tax return. Note: This new tax deduction rule does apply to the first round of PPP funding.
Tax time is approaching, and the new changes can be overwhelming to any small business owner. Make sure to check out How PPP Loans & EIDL Advances Will Affect Your 2020 Taxes before you file.
Erica Seppala
Erica is a writer based in Greenville, South Carolina. She is a graduate of Limestone College. Initially determined to be an accountant, she put away the calculator and picked up a laptop to pursue her dream of being a writer. Erica has spent the past 10 years writing blogs and articles for hundreds of private clients, and she loves sharing her love of research and the written word with everyone around her.
Latest posts by Erica Seppala (see all)
- Sunrise App Review For Small Business Bookkeeping - May 6, 2021
- How To File A Business Tax Extension In 2021 - April 14, 2021
- What Is The SBA Supplemental Targeted EIDL Advance & Is My Small Business Eligible? - April 7, 2021
- QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Review - March 23, 2021
- Education Tax Deduction For Businesses: What The New Stimulus Packages Means For Your Tax Deductions - February 18, 2021
I’m in lending submitted status for the ppp 2nd draw. My question is this…
I was asked this morning to submit my 2020 February bank statement to show a 25% reduction. My tax return was deposited during that time. Will that affect my approval?
Hi Jerrie!
Provided that your calculations for the 25% reduction in income are correct and you meet all other requirements, receiving a tax refund should not have an impact on your approval. According to SCORE, “If it is not clear which deposits listed on the bank statement constitute gross receipts (e.g., payments for purchases of goods and services) and which do not (e.g., capital infusions), the business must annotate them.”
You might want to reach out to your lender directly to make sure that it’s clear that the tax refund is not part of your gross receipts. If it’s not clear, you can find out from your lender how to resubmit documentation with the proper annotations.
Good luck!
if I have two businesses with two different EIN can I apply to both companies since both companies are suffering?
Hi Kenneth!
If you have two businesses with two separate EINs, you may be eligible to receive a PPP loan for each provided that they each meet all other requirements. Good luck!
I applied for my first PPP Loan ever on March 31st. It was approved and the funding was deposited in the bank on April 5th. I am a self employed schedule C filer that had ONE employee. The loan amount was calculated using the GROSS Income from my 2019 tax year information. I had One Full-time “seasonal” employee in 2019 that finished the season for the year and was supposed to return in the beginning of the 2020 season. The pandemic lockdowns etc. kept that employee from returning in the 2020 season. I claimed that employee’s income on my first PPP Loan. All this information is based on previous years (2019 and 2020). For my covered period that I have to spend my PPP funds… (the covered period is in 2021 – the time starting from the date the loan funds were disbursed to me). I was given $26533 for my total loan amount = $20,833 for myself being self employed and $5,700 for the employee’s payroll. I have tried to get that employee to return during this 2021 covered period so that I could PROPERLY spend the portion of the loan that was given based on an employee’s income. (Either He is drawing unemployment and does not want to return or he is working somewhere else and doesn’t want to tell me.) I can’t find anyone else that wants to fill the position. (It’s a dirty job! We haul livestock)
I want to make sure my loan(s) is/are FULLY FORGIVEN. So I have THREE QUESTIONS.
1 – For the loan to be fully forgiven, is it proper and sufficient enough to pay myself $20,833 in Payroll costs and spend the rest on Protection equipment, and the other eligible categories? I have plenty of expense that will qualify for the other categories!
2 – How long do I have to wait from the 1st draw PPP loan deposit date before I can apply for a second draw PPP Loan? All the language on every website I read is always talking about a WAITING PERIOD or the COVERAGE PERIOD.
3 – What good is “the insistence of a specified LENGTH of a coverage period” when you have been suffering for over a year from government imposed lockdowns or restrictions that have drastically reduced the work available to you as an independent contractor… “AND you have a very short time left to apply for the 2nd draw before funds run out?”
What I am trying to say here, is the emphasis on a coverage period being adhered to is preventing businesses from applying for a 2nd draw that they desperately need but they won’t have any time left if they wait 24, 11,10, or even 8 weeks! May 31st will be here before then. I have seen websites that state if you have an employee and are self employed… YOU MUST WAIT 11 weeks before you can apply for a 2nd draw! That pretty much tells you that you can’t apply for a 2nd draw because May 31st will be gone by then. Is the lender the problem? Are they the ones imposing a waiting period between each draw? Will Applying through a different lender solve this problem?
If you have any clear help or explanations that will help with these questions… it will be greatly appreciated and I’M POSITIVE it will help many others. THANK YOU for your time! 🙂
Hi Schelly,
Based on the rules of PPP loans, the $20,833 you’ve paid to yourself and other expenses in qualified categories can be forgiven.
The waiting period between the First and Second Draw is not something we’ve seen directly in any of the SBA’s PPP documentation. However, many of our readers have reported that lenders seem to have a waiting policy in place. We continue to keep an eye on the latest updates from the SBA to find this specific rule in writing. My best advice is to consult with your lender regarding any waiting periods.
As far as the problems regarding coverage periods, waiting periods, and other details, there is no clear-cut answer, unfortunately. The SBA has issued guidance for the PPP program, and it seems that lenders also have their own policies outside of this guidance. For any type of loan, whether it’s for COVID-relief or just your average small business loan, it’s always a good idea to shop around with lenders and understand their policies and borrowing criteria before applying.
I wish I had more specific answers for you, but unfortunately, even with our extensive research, sometimes there’s just not a clear answer. We do hope that this and any future relief programs become less problematic for our readers who have already faced so much stress as a result of the pandemic.
Question: I am an independent contractor who was funded for the first PPP six weeks ago. I just got approved for the second PPP, but when I went to sign I saw I had to have had the first for 8 weeks and have spent the money. I am on track to meet the payroll cost requirement at the end of this month, but not before the loan disbursement. Can I hold off on signing? Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Meghan,
The 8-week rule is lender-specific as far as we can tell. To date, we have not been able to locate any language from the SBA specifying this waiting period. So if you haven’t already, you’ll want to check with your lender on their requirements (lenders can add requirements in addition to the SBA rules). As for meeting the PPP1 spending requirements–To qualify for a second draw, borrowers must have already used or plan to use all funds from their first draw. Based on the info you’ve provided, it sounds like you’ve got plans for all of your PPP1 funds, so you should be good!
On my first PPP loan, due to circumstances I was unable to write a final payroll check for the eight weeks.
I was fogiven for the first seven weeks of payroll. As a result I am repaying the unused portion. My question is am I still qualified for round2? Thanks,
Hi Carson,
PPP1 forgiveness doesn’t impact PPP2 eligibility–You can absolutely qualify for PPP2 as long as you still meet all eligibility requirements. Good luck!
Change of ownership on dec 9, 2020. Can I apply for any ppp 1 or 2 ? Previous owner got ppp1. Is my business eligiable to ppp2 or 1 ?
Hi Jarman,
That sounds a bit tricky! We found this source that relates to your question, and our interpretation of it is that you should be able to get a loan but you might want to reach out to the SBA and/or speak to a lender regarding your specific situation. I hope that helps!
I applied for the PPP second round middle of January and then on 03/03 updated the application to a higher amount due to a wrong calculation (first was done 2.5 monthly payroll when was supposed to be 3.5 monthly payroll) then President Biden announced the updates mid of March… Still when i submitted the updated loan amount on 03/03 the loan was still under review and not approved. It was not until two weeks ago that was approved but came back with the incorrect amount approved based on the 2.5 calculation and not the 3.5 calculation (we are a full service family restaurant). Now they are asking me for the schedule c application, the full tax return and a bunch of stuff…. do I have the opportunity to get higher amount since when the guidance came was before my loan amount was approved and there were updates the lender did not made even it was showing in their portal the updated amount submitted 03/03? We are almost at the deadline of March 31st and need to understand since I am getting countless of different answers that do not make sense to me by the lender.
Hi Iris,
Thankfully we have until May 31st now! However, your situation is a bit tricky. The loan is considered approved when it is assigned an SBA number. So, there’s a possibility that the loan was already approved before you were actually notified or received funds. In this case, unfortunately, the only thing that we would recommend is continuing to reach out to the lender and/or the SBA. We wish you the best of luck.
I received a 2nd round ppp loan under old guidelines. Now that they are expanded to include up to 2.5 times payroll, can I reapply for this difference?
thank you.
Hi Sam,
This is what the SBA says:
Previously approved loans can’t be increased. However, in seeking a second draw loan, you can use that methodology to get a higher amount — it just won’t have any effect on previous loans.