The recently passed $900 billion stimulus package is now law. There are several key components of the legislation, including a new round of funding via Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which can help your freelance business if your income has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. However, you should also be aware of how participating in these programs (now or if you accessed them previously) may impact your freelance taxes.
Here is an overview of what freelancers can expect with this new round of “PPP2” funding and how it may impact their taxes.
Who is eligible for the new round of PPP2 loans?
Under the new law, first-time borrowers from the following groups can apply for PPP finding:
If you already received a PPP loan previously, a second round of forgivable PPP loans are available, but only if the following additional eligibility rules are met:
Essentially, in order to receive more PPP funding your freelance business must have employees.
How will a PPP loan affect freelance taxes?
There is very good news for freelancers who have PPP loans: the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness amount will not be considered taxable income at the federal level.
This could be a significant tax saving for your business. However, there is not any change in the guidance for state and local tax treatment of PPP funds. Therefore, be sure to check with your own State and local tax authorities for additional information.
In addition, the new bill allows the deduction of business expenses paid for with forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans.
There are likely to be further changes to the guidance regarding the latest stimulus bill and PPP loans, so please watch for further updates. However, regardless of any changes to specifics of these provisions, it is imperative that you always keep appropriate documentation of all funds received and how they were spent for tax purposes.
Jonathan Medows is a certified public accountant licensed in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. He is also a recognized expert in taxation for freelancers and the self-employed—often tapped for his expert knowledge and perspective on self-employment taxation by national and regional publications such as The New York Post, BusinessWeek, Forbes taxation blog, WebCPA, CPA Practice Advisor, and others. You can read some of Jonathan’s press coverage here.
©2021 MEDOWS CPA, PLLC