What is the CARES Act?

The CARES Act (or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) was passed into law on March 26, 2020. The new law is a $2 trillion economic stimulus package designed to mitigate some of the economic damage caused by the Coronavirus and contains billions of dollars in loans, grants and direct payments to help individuals and businesses, medical care providers and states and localities hit hard by the Coronavirus. The Act contains numerous provisions, several of which have a large impact on small businesses:

Payroll Protection Program that provides low cost forgivable loans to small businesses in order that they can continue to fund employee payroll and benefits.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The CARES Act expands this longstanding Small Business Administration (SBA) program. The EIDL program assist businesses, renters, and homeowners located in regions affected by declared disasters.

$10,000 grants available to small businesses.

Employee Retention Tax Credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of the Coronavirus. The goal of the tax credits is to keep employees employed, to incentivize hiring back of employees, or to put employees on a paid furlough to make sure they have jobs to return to when the crises passes.

Helpful Resources

US Chamber of Commerce
CARES ACT: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Claremont Insurance Services and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.