Small business

As a fresh round of federal relief loans is getting distributed to U.S. small firms hit by a pandemic crisis that will soon stretch to a year, new research shows that last year’s tranches of the Paycheck Protection Program covered less than a month of business expenses.

Small businesses in Nebraska, Oklahoma and other rural states have been the most successful at getting federal pandemic relief in the $284 billion round of aid that opened this month, buoyed by a new rule that authorizes loans to many farms that didn’t qualify before.

Senators and House members introduced legislation to help taxpayers survive the pandemic, with tax credits for developers revitalizing homes in “distressed” neighborhoods and enabling small businesses to pay essential expenses.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is pledging to improve the loan review process, even as it pursues a record number of fraud complaints.

Businesses who didn’t receive forgiveness on their Paycheck Protection Program loans can now claim a tax credit instead, thanks to a provision in last month’s coronavirus stimulus package.

AICPA CEO Barry Melancon gave an annual presentation for the Accountants Club of America that discussed accountants and small business clients.

The U.S. Small Business Administration released a one-page form aimed at simplifying the process of applying for forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loans, along with newly revised and updated forms to meet the requirements of the latest stimulus legislation.

The Internal Revenue Service hasn’t been properly vetting millions of dollars in deductions that could be erroneous, according to the inspector general.

From legal considerations to tax implications, these entrepreneurs face some unique challenges.

CPA firms will be in a great position to help their small business clients with the latest round of the Paycheck Protection Program, according to Barry Melancon.