*Editor’s Note: This blog has been updated as of January 18, 2021.

So you have hit “send” on your Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP2 loan application and the bank has told you the money is on the way, so now what’s next? For many who have applied, that confirmation call or email from the bank is a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. You will be avoiding layoffs and furloughs of your employees and you will have funds available to pay certain operating expenses such as rent and utilities for the next couple of months. Once you have that application in, there are a few things you need to do…read on.

What is PPP2?

Due to ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic, the new relief legislation establishes a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. We cover initial FAQs in our blog, PPP2 Application FAQs and check out our blog PPP2 App Opens January 19…Are You Ready?

Organize all your documents in a due diligence folder

Now that you have sent your application to the bank, it is the perfect time to start a due diligence folder to organize all your PPP related documents. This folder should contain:

• A copy of your application,

• Copies of any supporting documentation you provided to the bank,

• Copies of your PPP borrowing amount calculation (including all payroll related reports – Forms 940, 941, W3, W2s, etc.),

• For PPP2 Loans (or 2^nd Draw Loans) support for the 25% decline in gross receipts.

• A copy of any correspondence with your bank as to the submission and acceptance of the application,

• A timestamped print out of all official relevant laws/guidelines in effect on the date you submitted your application (remember things are changing daily)

• And most importantly a memo discussing your organization’s reasons why it took a PPP loan.

What should be included in the memo?

Like many applicants, before you applied you spent countless hours researching PPP loans. What you probably have not done at this point is put together a memo documenting why you applied for a PPP loan and why you are eligible to do so. I know you are probably thinking, isn’t it obvious why I am taking a loan? While that may be true, all the specific reasons why your organization took out this loan are “fresh” in your mind right now. As time passes, many details may be forgotten. Remember, hindsight is 20/20. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has the right to further review all loan applications and it is a good idea to have this information prepared ahead of time in case the SBA asks any questions in the future.

We suggest that any organization that applied for a PPP loan, document in a memo, to go along with the rest of their due diligence PPP folder documents, the following –

• The main reasons why the organization needed the PPP loan to avoid layoffs and to continue as an operating business. Remember - the main purpose of PPP loans is to help employers avoid layoffs or furloughs. Some of the supporting information, if applicable, you should include would be documentation regarding:
  -Decreased cash collections
  -Drop in future sales orders
  -Cash flow projections
  -Documentation of Government shutdown orders

• Reasons why you didn’t bring back all of your employees. Remember, one of the main purposes of taking a PPP loan was to keep workers employed and continue being paid their pre-COVID 19 wages. If you do not bring back all your employees, we suggest you document the reasons why you are not bringing them back and putting them on the payroll.

• Affiliated entities of the organization and your determination of why those entities were or were not included in your determination of eligibility for a PPP loan.

Navigating through all of the information and programs available to impacted businesses may be overwhelming. KLR advisors are available to assist you navigate the best path forward during this unprecedented crisis. With a completely remote workforce our advisors are always available.

Visit our PPP Headquarters for more information.