Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program-Revisions to Loan Forgiveness and Loan Review Procedures Interim Final Rules

Citation85 FR 38304
Record Number2020-13782
Published date26 June 2020
SectionRules and Regulations
CourtSmall Business Administration
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 124 (Friday, June 26, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 124 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 38304-38312]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-13782]
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                SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
                13 CFR Part 120
                [Docket No. SBA-2020-0038]
                RIN 3245-AH52
                DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                RIN 1505-AC70
                Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection
                Program--Revisions to Loan Forgiveness and Loan Review Procedures
                Interim Final Rules
                AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration; Department of the Treasury.
                ACTION: Interim final rule.
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                SUMMARY: On April 2, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
                posted on its website an interim final rule relating to the
                implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid,
                Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act) (published in
                the Federal Register on April 15, 2020). Section 1102 of the Act
                temporarily adds a new product, titled the ``Paycheck Protection
                Program,'' to the SBA's 7(a) Loan Program. Subsequently, SBA and
                Treasury issued additional interim final rules implementing the
                Paycheck Protection Program. On June 5, 2020, the Paycheck Protection
                Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (Flexibility Act) was signed into law,
                amending the CARES Act. This interim final rule revises interim final
                rules posted on SBA's and the Department of the Treasury's websites on
                May 22, 2020 (published on June 1, 2020, in the Federal Register), by
                changing key provisions to conform to the Flexibility Act. Several of
                these amendments are retroactive to the date of enactment of the CARES
                Act, as required by section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act.
                DATES:
                 Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective March 27,
                2020, except for the provision relating to the maturity date of PPP
                loans, which is effective June 5, 2020, and the provision relating to
                the cap on the amount of loan forgiveness for owner-employees and self-
                employed individuals, which is effective on June 24, 2020.
                 Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before July 27, 2020.
                ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by number SBA-2020-0038,
                through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
                Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
                [[Page 38305]]
                 SBA and Treasury will post all comments on www.regulations.gov. If
                you wish to submit confidential business information (CBI) as defined
                in the User Notice at www.regulations.gov, please send an email to [email protected]. Highlight the information that you consider to be CBI and
                explain why you believe SBA and Treasury should hold this information
                as confidential. SBA and Treasury will review the information and make
                the final determination whether it will publish the information.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A Call Center Representative at 833-
                572-0502, or the local SBA Field Office; the list of offices can be
                found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                I. Background Information
                 On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the ongoing Coronavirus
                Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude
                to warrant an emergency declaration for all states, territories, and
                the District of Columbia. With the COVID-19 emergency, many small
                businesses nationwide are experiencing economic hardship as a direct
                result of the Federal, State, and local public health measures that are
                being taken to minimize the public's exposure to the virus. These
                measures, some of which are government-mandated, have been implemented
                nationwide and include the closures of restaurants, bars, and gyms. In
                addition, based on the advice of public health officials, other
                measures, such as keeping a safe distance from others or even stay-at-
                home orders, have been implemented, resulting in a dramatic decrease in
                economic activity as the public avoids malls, retail stores, and other
                businesses.
                 On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid,
                Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act or the Act) (Pub. L.
                116-136) to provide emergency assistance and health care response for
                individuals, families, and businesses affected by the coronavirus
                pandemic. The Small Business Administration (SBA) received funding and
                authority through the Act to modify existing loan programs and
                establish a new loan program to assist small businesses nationwide
                adversely impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
                 Section 1102 of the Act temporarily permits SBA to guarantee 100
                percent of 7(a) loans under a new program titled the ``Paycheck
                Protection Program.'' Section 1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness
                of up to the full principal amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under
                the Paycheck Protection Program.
                 On April 24, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection
                Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 116-139), which
                provided additional funding and authority for the PPP. On June 5, 2020,
                the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of
                2020 (Flexibility Act) (Pub. L. 116-142), which changes key provisions
                of the Paycheck Protection Program, including provisions relating to
                the maturity of PPP loans, the deferral of PPP loan payments, and the
                forgiveness of PPP loans. Section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act provides
                that the amendments relating to PPP loan forgiveness and extension of
                the deferral period for PPP loans shall be effective as if included in
                the CARES Act, which means that they are retroactive to March 27, 2020.
                Section 2 of the Flexibility Act provides that the amendment relating
                to the extension of the maturity date for PPP loans shall take effect
                on the date of enactment (June 5, 2020). Under the Flexibility Act, the
                extension of the maturity date for PPP loans is applicable to PPP loans
                made on or after that date, and lenders and borrowers may mutually
                agree to modify PPP loans made before such date to reflect the longer
                maturity.
                II. Comments and Retroactive/Immediate Effective Date
                 This interim final rule is effective without advance notice and
                public comment because section 1114 of the CARES Act authorizes SBA to
                issue regulations to implement Title I of the Act without regard to
                notice requirements. In addition, SBA has determined that there is good
                cause for dispensing with advance public notice and comment on the
                grounds that it would be contrary to the public interest. Specifically,
                advance public notice and comment would defeat the purpose of this
                interim final rule given that SBA's authority to guarantee PPP loans
                expires on June 30, 2020, and that many PPP borrowers can now apply for
                loan forgiveness following the end of their eight-week covered period.
                Providing borrowers and lenders with certainty on both loan
                requirements and loan forgiveness requirements following the enactment
                of the Flexibility Act will enhance the ability of lenders to make
                loans and process loan forgiveness applications, particularly in light
                of the fact that most of the Flexibility Act's provisions are
                retroactive to March 27, 2020. Specifically, small businesses that have
                yet to apply for and receive a PPP loan need to be informed of the
                terms of PPP loans as soon as possible, because the last day on which a
                lender can obtain an SBA loan number for a PPP loan is June 30, 2020.
                Borrowers that have already applied for and received a PPP loan need
                certainty regarding how loan proceeds must be used during the covered
                period, as amended by the Flexibility Act, so that they can maximize
                the amount of loan forgiveness. Additionally, because some borrowers
                can apply for loan forgiveness now, those borrowers need updated
                direction on how to do so. These same reasons provide good cause for
                SBA to dispense with the 30-day delayed effective date provided in the
                Administrative Procedure Act. Although this interim final rule is
                effective on or before date of filing, comments are solicited from
                interested members of the public on all aspects of the interim final
                rule, including section III below. These comments must be submitted on
                or before July 27, 2020. The SBA and Treasury will consider these
                comments, comments received on the two interim final rules amended by
                this interim final rule, which were posted on SBA's website May 22,
                2020 and published on June 1, 2020, in the Federal Register, and the
                need for making any revisions as a result of these comments.
                III. Paycheck Protection Program--Revisions to Loan Forgiveness Interim
                Final Rule and SBA Loan Review Procedures and Related Borrower and
                Lender Responsibilities Interim Final Rule
                Overview
                 The CARES Act was enacted to provide immediate assistance to
                individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19
                emergency. Among the provisions contained in the CARES Act are
                provisions authorizing SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under a new
                7(a) loan program titled the ``Paycheck Protection Program.'' Loans
                guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will be 100
                percent guaranteed by SBA, and the full principal amount of the loans
                may qualify for loan forgiveness.
                 SBA and Treasury have posted several documents on the loan
                forgiveness provisions in the CARES Act on their websites. On April 2,
                2020, SBA posted its first PPP interim final rule (85 FR 20811)
                covering in part loan forgiveness. On April 8, 2020 and April 26, 2020,
                SBA also posted Frequently Asked Questions relating to loan
                forgiveness. On April 14, 2020, SBA posted an interim final rule
                covering in part loan forgiveness for individuals with self-employment
                income. On May 22, 2020,
                [[Page 38306]]
                SBA and Treasury jointly posted an additional interim final rule on
                loan forgiveness (85 FR 33004) (First Loan Forgiveness Rule). The SBA
                also posted an interim final rule on May 22, 2020 on SBA loan review
                procedures and related borrower and lender responsibilities (85 FR
                33010) (First Loan Review Rule). On June 11, 2020, SBA posted an
                interim final rule revising the first PPP interim final rule to
                incorporate Flexibility Act amendments, including those relating to
                loan forgiveness. On June 17, 2020, SBA posted an interim final rule
                revising the interim final rule covering individuals with self-
                employment income to incorporate Flexibility Act amendments, including
                those relating to loan forgiveness.
                 The Flexibility Act amends the CARES Act, including its provisions
                relating to loan terms and loan forgiveness. The purpose of this
                interim final rule is to update the First Loan Forgiveness Rule and the
                First Loan Review Rule in light of the amendments under the Flexibility
                Act. The First Loan Forgiveness Rule and First Loan Review Rule, as
                amended by this interim final rule, should be interpreted consistent
                with the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the PPP that are
                posted on SBA's website \1\ and the other interim final rules issued
                regarding the PPP.\2\
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                 \1\ See https://www.sba.gov/document/support--faq-lenders-borrowers.
                 \2\ See https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program.
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                1. Changes to the First Loan Forgiveness Rule
                a. General
                 Section 3(b) of the Flexibility Act amended the requirements
                regarding forgiveness of PPP loans to reduce, from 75 percent to 60
                percent, the portion of PPP loan proceeds that must be used for payroll
                costs for the full amount of the PPP loan to be eligible for
                forgiveness. Therefore, Part III.1 of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule
                (85 FR 33004, 33005) is revised by striking ``25 percent'' in the last
                sentence and replacing it with ``40 percent''.
                b. Maturity
                 Section 2(a) of the Flexibility Act provides a minimum maturity of
                five years for all PPP loans made on or after the date of enactment of
                the Flexibility Act (June 5, 2020), and permits lenders and borrowers
                to extend the maturity date of earlier PPP loans by mutual agreement.
                Section 3(c) of the Flexibility Act extended the deferral period for
                PPP loans to the date that SBA remits the forgiveness amount to the
                lender. Further, SBA has issued an alternative Loan Forgiveness
                Application Form, SBA Form 3508EZ. Therefore, in Part III.2 of the
                First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004, 33005), the introductory
                question is redesignated as paragraph a. and revised to read as
                follows:
                 2. Loan Forgiveness Process
                 a. What is the general process to obtain loan forgiveness?
                 To receive loan forgiveness, a borrower must complete and submit
                the Loan Forgiveness Application (SBA Form 3508, 3508EZ, or lender
                equivalent) to its lender (or the lender servicing its loan). As a
                general matter, the lender will review the application and make a
                decision regarding loan forgiveness. The lender has 60 days from
                receipt of a complete application to issue a decision to SBA. If the
                lender determines that the borrower is entitled to forgiveness of
                some or all of the amount applied for under the statute and
                applicable regulations, the lender must request payment from SBA at
                the time the lender issues its decision to SBA. SBA will, subject to
                any SBA review of the loan or loan application, remit the
                appropriate forgiveness amount to the lender, plus any interest
                accrued through the date of payment, not later than 90 days after
                the lender issues its decision to SBA. If applicable, SBA will
                deduct EIDL Advance Amounts from the forgiveness amount remitted to
                the Lender as required by section 1110(e)(6) of the CARES Act. If
                SBA determines in the course of its review that the borrower was
                ineligible for the PPP loan based on the provisions of the CARES
                Act, SBA rules or guidance available at the time of the borrower's
                loan application, or the terms of the borrower's PPP loan
                application (for example, because the borrower lacked an adequate
                basis for the certifications that it made in its PPP loan
                application), the loan will not be eligible for loan forgiveness.
                The lender is responsible for notifying the borrower of the
                forgiveness amount. If only a portion of the loan is forgiven, or if
                the forgiveness request is denied, any remaining balance due on the
                loan must be repaid by the borrower on or before the maturity date
                of the loan. The lender is responsible for notifying the borrower of
                remittance by SBA of the loan forgiveness amount (or that SBA
                determined that no amount of the loan is eligible for forgiveness)
                and the date on which the borrower's first payment is due, if
                applicable. If SBA determines that the full amount of the loan is
                eligible for forgiveness and remits the full amount of the loan to
                the lender, the lender must mark the PPP loan note as ``paid in
                full'' and report the status of the loan as ``paid in full'' on the
                next monthly 1502 report filed by the lender.
                 The general loan forgiveness process described above applies
                only to loan forgiveness applications that are not reviewed by SBA
                prior to the lender's decision on the forgiveness application. A
                separate interim final rule on SBA Loan Review Procedures and
                Related Borrower and Lender Responsibilities describes SBA's
                procedures for reviewing PPP loan applications and loan forgiveness
                applications.
                c. Deferral Period and Forgiveness
                 Section 3(c) of the Flexibility Act provides that if the borrower
                does not apply for forgiveness of a loan within 10 months after the
                last day of the covered period, the PPP loan is no longer deferred and
                the borrower must begin paying principal and interest. Therefore, the
                following text is added as a new paragraph b. at the end of Part III.2:
                 b. When must a borrower apply for loan forgiveness or start
                making payments on a loan?
                 A borrower may submit a loan forgiveness application any time on
                or before the maturity date of the loan--including before the end of
                the covered period--if the borrower has used all of the loan
                proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness. If the
                borrower applies for forgiveness before the end of the covered
                period and has reduced any employee's salaries or wages in excess of
                25 percent, the borrower must account for the excess salary
                reduction for the full 8-week or 24-week covered period, as
                described in Part III.5. If the borrower does not apply for loan
                forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered
                period, or if SBA determines that the loan is not eligible for
                forgiveness (in whole or in part), the PPP loan is no longer
                deferred and the borrower must begin paying principal and interest.
                If this occurs, the lender must notify the borrower of the date the
                first payment is due. The lender must report that the loan is no
                longer deferred to SBA on the next monthly SBA Form 1502 report
                filed by the lender.
                d. Payroll Costs Eligible for Loan Forgiveness
                 Under section 1106 of the CARES Act, certain provisions regarding
                the forgiveness of PPP loans are limited to the ``covered period.''
                ``Covered period,'' as that term is used in section 1106 of the CARES
                Act, was originally defined as the eight-week period beginning on the
                date of the origination of a covered loan. However, section 3(b) of the
                Flexibility Act extended the length of the covered period as defined in
                section 1106 of the CARES Act from eight to 24 weeks, while allowing
                borrowers that received PPP loans before June 5, 2020 to elect to use
                the original eight-week covered period. As set forth below, several
                provisions in Part III.3 of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule require
                revisions to conform to these amendments under Flexibility Act.
                 Part III.3.a of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004,
                33006) is revised to read as follows:
                 a. When must payroll costs be incurred and/or paid to be
                eligible for forgiveness?
                 In general, payroll costs paid or incurred during the covered
                period are eligible for
                [[Page 38307]]
                forgiveness. For purposes of loan forgiveness, the covered period is
                the 24-week period beginning on the date the lender disburses the
                PPP loan.\3\ Alternatively, a borrower that received a PPP loan
                before June 5, 2020 may elect for the covered period to end eight
                weeks after the date of disbursement of the PPP loan. Borrowers may
                seek forgiveness for payroll costs for the applicable covered period
                beginning on either:
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                 \3\ Under section 3(b)(1) of the Paycheck Protection Program
                Flexibility Act of 2020, the loan forgiveness covered period of any
                borrower will end no later than December 31, 2020.
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                 i. the date of disbursement of the borrower's PPP loan proceeds
                from the Lender (i.e., the start of the covered period); or
                 ii. the first day of the first payroll cycle in the covered
                period (the ``alternative payroll covered period'').
                 Payroll costs are considered paid on the day that paychecks are
                distributed or the borrower originates an ACH credit transaction.
                Payroll costs incurred during the borrower's last pay period of the
                covered period or the alternative payroll covered period are
                eligible for forgiveness if paid on or before the next regular
                payroll date; otherwise, payroll costs must be paid during the
                covered period (or alternative payroll covered period) to be
                eligible for forgiveness. Payroll costs are generally incurred on
                the day the employee's pay is earned (i.e., on the day the employee
                worked). For employees who are not performing work but are still on
                the borrower's payroll, payroll costs are incurred based on the
                schedule established by the borrower (typically, each day that the
                employee would have performed work).
                 The Administrator of the Small Business Administration
                (Administrator), in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury
                (Secretary), recognizes that the covered period will not always
                align with a borrower's payroll cycle. For administrative
                convenience of the borrower, a borrower with a bi-weekly (or more
                frequent) payroll cycle may elect to use an alternative payroll
                covered period that begins on the first day of the first payroll
                cycle in the covered period and continues for either (a) eight
                weeks, in the case of a borrower that received its PPP loan before
                June 5, 2020 and elects to use an eight-week covered period, or (b)
                24 weeks, in the case of all other borrowers. If payroll costs are
                incurred during this alternative payroll covered period, but paid
                after the end of the alternative payroll covered period, such
                payroll costs will be eligible for forgiveness if they are paid no
                later than the first regular payroll date thereafter.
                 The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary,
                determined that this alternative computational method for payroll
                costs is justified by considerations of administrative feasibility
                for borrowers, as it will reduce burdens on borrowers and their
                payroll agents while achieving the paycheck protection purposes
                manifest throughout the CARES Act, including section 1102. Because
                this alternative computational method is limited to payroll cycles
                that are bi-weekly or more frequent, this computational method will
                yield a calculation that the Administrator does not expect to
                materially differ from the actual covered period, while avoiding
                unnecessary administrative burdens and enhancing auditability.
                 Example: A borrower that received a PPP loan before June 5, 2020
                and elects to use an eight-week covered period has a bi-weekly
                payroll schedule (with payments made every other week). The
                borrower's eight-week covered period begins on June 1 and ends on
                July 26. The first day of the borrower's first payroll cycle that
                starts in the covered period is June 7. The borrower may elect an
                alternative payroll covered period for payroll cost purposes that
                starts on June 7 and ends 55 days later (for a total of 56 days), on
                August 1. Payroll costs paid during this alternative payroll covered
                period are eligible for forgiveness. In addition, payroll costs
                incurred during this alternative payroll covered period are eligible
                for forgiveness if they are paid on or before the first regular
                payroll date occurring after August 1. Payroll costs that were both
                paid and incurred during the covered period (or alternative payroll
                covered period) may only be counted once.
                 Part III.3.c of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004,
                33006) is revised to read as follows:
                 c. Are there caps on the amount of loan forgiveness available
                for owner-employees and self-employed individuals' own payroll
                compensation?
                 Yes. For borrowers that received a PPP loan before June 5, 2020
                and elect to use an eight-week covered period, the amount of loan
                forgiveness requested for owner-employees and self-employed
                individuals' payroll compensation is capped at eight weeks' worth
                (8/52) of 2019 compensation (i.e., approximately 15.38 percent of
                2019 compensation) or $15,385 per individual, whichever is less, in
                total across all businesses. For all other borrowers, the amount of
                loan forgiveness requested for owner-employees and self-employed
                individuals' payroll compensation is capped at 2.5 months' worth
                (2.5/12) of 2019 compensation (i.e., approximately 20.83 percent of
                2019 compensation) or $20,833 per individual, whichever is less, in
                total across all businesses.
                 In particular, C-corporation owner-employees are capped by the
                amount of their 2019 employee cash compensation and employer
                retirement and health insurance contributions made on their behalf.
                S-corporation owner-employees are capped by the amount of their 2019
                employee cash compensation and employer retirement contributions
                made on their behalf, but employer health insurance contributions
                made on their behalf cannot be separately added because those
                payments are already included in their employee cash compensation.
                Schedule C or F filers are capped by the amount of their owner
                compensation replacement, calculated based on 2019 net profit.\4\
                General partners are capped by the amount of their 2019 net earnings
                from self-employment (reduced by claimed section 179 expense
                deduction, unreimbursed partnership expenses, and depletion from oil
                and gas properties) multiplied by 0.9235. For self-employed
                individuals, including Schedule C or F filers and general partners,
                retirement and health insurance contributions are included in their
                net self-employment income and therefore cannot be separately added
                to their payroll calculation.
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                 \4\ See 85 FR 21747, 21749 (April 20, 2020).
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                 The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary,
                determined that it is appropriate to limit the forgiveness of owner
                compensation to either eight weeks' worth (8/52) of their 2019
                compensation (up to $15,385) for an eight-week covered period or 2.5
                months' worth (2.5/12) of their 2019 compensation (up to $20,833)
                for a 24-week covered period per owner in total across all
                businesses. This approach is consistent with the structure of the
                CARES Act and its overarching focus on keeping workers paid, and
                will prevent windfalls that Congress did not intend. Specifically,
                Congress determined that the maximum loan amount is generally based
                on 2.5 months of a borrower's average monthly payroll costs during
                the one-year period preceding the loan. 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)(E). For
                example, a borrower with one other employee would receive a maximum
                loan amount equal to 5 months of payroll (2.5 months of payroll for
                the owner plus 2.5 months of payroll for the employee). If the owner
                laid off the employee and availed itself of the exemption in the
                Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (Flexibility
                Act) related to reductions in business activity described in e.
                below, the owner could treat the entire amount of the PPP loan as
                payroll, with the entire loan being forgiven. This would not only
                result in a windfall for the owner, by providing the owner with five
                months of payroll instead of 2.5 months, but also defeat the purpose
                of the CARES Act of protecting the paycheck of the employee. For
                owners with no employees, this limitation will have no effect,
                because the maximum loan amount for such borrowers already includes
                only 2.5 months of their payroll.
                e. Nonpayroll Costs Eligible for Loan Forgiveness
                 Part III.4.a of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004,
                33007) is revised to read as follows:
                 a. When must nonpayroll costs be incurred and/or paid to be
                eligible for forgiveness?
                 A nonpayroll cost is eligible for forgiveness if it was:
                 i. Paid during the covered period; or
                 ii. incurred during the covered period and paid on or before the
                next regular billing date, even if the billing date is after the
                covered period.
                 Example: A borrower that received a loan before June 5, 2020
                uses a 24-week covered period that begins on June 1 and ends on
                November 15. The borrower pays its electricity bills for June
                through October during the covered period and pays its November
                electricity bill on December 10, which is the next regular billing
                date. The borrower may seek loan forgiveness for its June through
                October electricity bills, because they were paid during the covered
                [[Page 38308]]
                period. In addition, the borrower may seek loan forgiveness for the
                portion of its November electricity bill through November 15 (the
                end of the covered period), because it was incurred during the
                covered period and paid on the next regular billing date. The
                Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, has determined
                that this interpretation provides an appropriate degree of borrower
                flexibility while remaining consistent with the text of section
                1106(b). The Administrator believes that this simplified approach to
                calculation of forgivable nonpayroll costs is also supported by
                considerations of administrative convenience for borrowers, and the
                Administrator notes that the 40 percent cap on nonpayroll costs as a
                portion of the total loan forgiveness amount will avoid excessive
                inclusion of nonpayroll costs.
                f. Reductions to Loan Forgiveness Amount
                 As described above, section 3(b) of the Flexibility Act amended
                provisions of the CARES Act regarding the covered period and the
                portion of PPP loan proceeds that must be used for payroll costs for
                the full amount of the PPP loan to be eligible for forgiveness. As set
                forth below, these amendments necessitate several revisions to Part
                III.5 of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule. First, the introductory
                paragraph in Part III.5 of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR
                33004, 33007) is revised to read as follows:
                5. Reductions to Loan Forgiveness Amount
                 Section 1106 of the CARES Act, as amended by Section 3(b)(2) of the
                Flexibility Act, specifically requires certain reductions in a
                borrower's loan forgiveness amount based on reductions in full-time
                equivalent employees or in employee salary and wages, subject to an
                important statutory exemption for borrowers that have eliminated the
                reduction on or before December 31, 2020. Section 3(b)(2) of the
                Flexibility Act also adds exemptions from reductions in loan
                forgiveness amounts based on employee availability and business
                activity. In addition, SBA and Treasury have adopted a regulatory
                exemption to the reduction rules for borrowers that have offered to
                restore employee hours at the same salary or wages, even if the
                employees have not accepted. The instructions to the loan forgiveness
                applications and the guidance below explains how the statutory
                forgiveness reduction formulas work.
                 Section 1106(d)(2) of the CARES Act reduces the amount of the PPP
                loan that may be forgiven if the borrower reduces full-time equivalent
                employees during the covered period as compared to a base period
                selected by the borrower. Section 1106(d)(5) of the CARES Act
                originally waived this reduction in the forgiveness amount if the
                borrower eliminates the reduction in full-time equivalent employees
                occurring during a different statutory reference period by not later
                than June 30, 2020. Section 3(b)(2) of the Flexibility Act amended this
                provision to replace ``June 30'' with ``December 31.'' To conform the
                First Loan Forgiveness Rule to this amendment under the Flexibility
                Act, Part III.5.a of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004,
                33007) is revised by striking ``June 30, 2020'' and replacing it with
                ``December 31, 2020.'' Section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act provides
                that this amendment shall be effective as if included in the CARES Act,
                which was enacted on March 27, 2020.
                 As described above, section 3(b) of the Flexibility Act extended
                the length of the covered period as defined in section 1106 of the
                CARES Act from eight to 24 weeks, while allowing borrowers that
                received PPP loans before June 5, 2020 to elect to use the original
                eight-week covered period. For consistency with this amendment, the
                paragraph consisting of the example in Part III.5.e of the First Loan
                Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004, 33008) is revised to provide two
                examples that read as follows:
                 Example: A borrower is using a 24-week covered period. This
                borrower reduced a full-time employee's weekly salary from $1,000
                per week during the reference period to $700 per week during the
                covered period. The employee continued to work on a full-time basis
                during the covered period, with an FTE of 1.0. In this case, the
                first $250 (25 percent of $1,000) is exempted from the loan
                forgiveness reduction. The borrower seeking forgiveness would list
                $1,200 as the salary/hourly wage reduction for that employee (the
                extra $50 weekly reduction multiplied by 24 weeks). If the borrower
                applies for forgiveness before the end of the covered period, it
                must account for the salary reduction for the full 24-week covered
                period (totaling $1,200).
                 Example: A borrower that received a PPP loan before June 5, 2020
                has elected to use an eight-week covered period. This borrower
                reduced a full-time employee's weekly salary from $1,000 per week
                during the reference period to $700 per week during the covered
                period. The employee continued to work on a full-time basis during
                the covered period, with an FTE of 1.0. In this case, the first $250
                (25 percent of $1,000) is exempted from the loan forgiveness
                reduction. The borrower seeking forgiveness would list $400 as the
                salary/hourly wage reduction for that employee (the extra $50 weekly
                reduction multiplied by eight weeks).
                 In light of the amendments under the Flexibility Act described
                above, Part III.5.g of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004,
                33009) is revised by striking ``June 30, 2020'' each place that it
                appears and replacing it with ``December 31, 2020,'' and by striking
                ``75 percent'' and replacing it with ``60 percent.'' Section 3(d) of
                the Flexibility Act provides that these amendments shall be effective
                as if included in the CARES Act, which was enacted on March 27, 2020.
                 Lastly, section 3(b)(2)(B) of the Flexibility Act established two
                new exemptions based on employee availability and business activity,
                respectively, that would eliminate a reduction in the loan forgiveness
                amount that would otherwise be required due to a reduction in full-time
                equivalent (FTE) employees. Specifically, that section of the
                Flexibility Act states that the amount of loan forgiveness ``shall be
                determined without regard to a proportional reduction in the number of
                full-time equivalent employees'' if an eligible recipient, in good
                faith, (A) is able to document (i) an inability to rehire individuals
                who were employees of the eligible recipient on February 15, 2020; and
                (ii) an inability to hire similarly qualified employees for unfilled
                positions on or before December 31, 2020; or (B) is able to document an
                inability to return to the same level of business activity as such
                business was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance
                with requirements established or guidance issued by the Secretary of
                Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease
                Control and Prevention, or the Occupational Safety and Health
                Administration during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending
                December 31, 2020, related to the maintenance of standards for
                sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer safety
                requirement related to COVID-19. The new exemption pertaining to
                individuals who refuse an offer to be rehired is very similar, but not
                identical, to a de minimis exemption that was provided in the First
                Loan Forgiveness Rule; therefore, the Administrator and the Secretary
                have determined that this new statutory exemption should supersede the
                previous de minimis exemption relating to reductions in FTE employees.
                However, a related de minimis exemption in the First Loan Forgiveness
                Rule for borrowers that have reduced the hours of an employee and
                offered to restore the reduction in hours, but the employee declined
                the offer, is not addressed in the Flexibility Act and is therefore
                being retained.
                 In order to implement these exemptions, Part III.5.a of the First
                Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004, 33007) is revised to read:
                [[Page 38309]]
                 a. Will a borrower's loan forgiveness amount be reduced if the
                borrower reduced the hours of an employee, then offered to restore
                the reduction in hours, but the employee declined the offer?
                 No. In calculating the loan forgiveness amount, a borrower may
                exclude any reduction in full-time equivalent employee headcount
                that is attributable to an individual employee if:
                 i. The borrower made a good faith, written offer to restore the
                reduced hours of such employee;
                 ii. the offer was for the same salary or wages and same number
                of hours as earned by such employee in the last pay period prior to
                the reduction in hours;
                 iii. the offer was rejected by such employee; and
                 iv. the borrower has maintained records documenting the offer
                and its rejection.
                 The Administrator and the Secretary determined that this
                exemption is an appropriate exercise of their joint rulemaking
                authority to grant a de minimis exemption under section
                1106(d)(6).\5\ Section 1106(d)(2) of the CARES Act reduces the
                amount of the PPP loan that may be forgiven if the borrower reduces
                full-time equivalent employees during the covered period as compared
                to a base period selected by the borrower. Section 1106(d)(5) of the
                CARES Act waives this reduction in the forgiveness amount if the
                borrower eliminates the reduction in full-time equivalent employees
                occurring during a different statutory reference period \6\ by not
                later than December 31, 2020. The Administrator and the Secretary
                believe that the additional exemption set forth above is consistent
                with the purposes of the CARES Act and provides borrowers
                appropriate flexibility in the current economic climate. The
                Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, has determined
                that the exemption is de minimis for two reasons. First, it is
                reasonable to anticipate that most employees will accept the offer
                of restored hours in light of current labor market conditions.
                Second, to the extent this exemption allows employers to cure FTE
                reductions attributable to reductions in hours that occurred before
                February 15, 2020 (the start of the statutory FTE reduction safe
                harbor period), it is reasonable to anticipate those reductions will
                represent a relatively small portion of aggregate employees given
                the historically strong labor market conditions before the COVID-19
                emergency.
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 \5\ Section 1106(d)(6) is the sole joint rulemaking authority
                exercised in this interim final rule. All other provisions of this
                interim final rule are an exercise of rulemaking authority by SBA,
                except as expressly noted otherwise.
                 \6\ Section 1106(d)(5) specifies that this reference period is
                between February 15, 2020 and 30 days after the date of enactment of
                the CARES Act or April 26, 2020 (the safe harbor period).
                 In addition, Part III.5.b of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                33004, 33007-08) is revised by adding the following at the end thereof:
                 Borrowers are exempted from the loan forgiveness reduction
                arising from a proportional reduction in FTE employees during the
                covered period if the borrower is able to document in good faith the
                following: (1) An inability to rehire individuals who were employees
                of the borrower on February 15, 2020; and (2) an inability to hire
                similarly qualified individuals for unfilled positions on or before
                December 31, 2020. Borrowers are required to inform the applicable
                state unemployment insurance office of any employee's rejected
                rehire offer within 30 days of the employee's rejection of the
                offer.\7\ The documents that borrowers should maintain to show
                compliance with this exemption include, but are not limited to, the
                written offer to rehire an individual, a written record of the
                offer's rejection, and a written record of efforts to hire a
                similarly qualified individual.
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 \7\ Further information regarding how borrowers will report
                information concerning rejected rehire offers to state unemployment
                insurance offices will be provided on SBA's website.
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Borrowers are also exempted from the loan forgiveness reduction
                arising from a reduction in the number of FTE employees during the
                covered period if the borrower is able to document in good faith an
                inability to return to the same level of business activity as the
                borrower was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to
                compliance with requirements established or guidance issued between
                March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 by the Secretary of Health and
                Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
                Prevention (CDC), or the Occupational Safety and Health
                Administration related to the maintenance of standards for
                sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer
                safety requirement related to COVID-19 (COVID Requirements or
                Guidance). Specifically, borrowers that can certify that they have
                documented in good faith that their reduction in business activity
                during the covered period stems directly or indirectly from
                compliance with such COVID Requirements or Guidance are exempt from
                any reduction in their forgiveness amount stemming from a reduction
                in FTE employees during the covered period. Such documentation must
                include copies of applicable COVID Requirements or Guidance for each
                business location and relevant borrower financial records.
                 The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, is
                interpreting the above statutory exemption to include both direct
                and indirect compliance with COVID Requirements or Guidance, because
                a significant amount of the reduction in business activity stemming
                from COVID Requirements or Guidance is the result of state and local
                government shutdown orders that are based in part on guidance from
                the three federal agencies.
                 Example: A PPP borrower is in the business of selling beauty
                products both online and at its physical store. During the covered
                period, the local government where the borrower's store is located
                orders all non-essential businesses, including the borrower's
                business, to shut down their stores, based in part on COVID-19
                guidance issued by the CDC in March 2020. Because the borrower's
                business activity during the covered period was reduced compared to
                its activity before February 15, 2020 due to compliance with COVID
                Requirements or Guidance, the borrower satisfies the Flexibility
                Act's exemption and will not have its forgiveness amount reduced
                because of a reduction in FTEs during the covered period, if the
                borrower in good faith maintains records regarding the reduction in
                business activity and the local government's shutdown orders that
                reference a COVID Requirement or Guidance as described above.
                g. Documentation Requirements
                 Because SBA has issued an alternative loan forgiveness application,
                SBA Form 3508EZ, the parenthetical in the first sentence of Part III.6
                of the First Loan Forgiveness Rule (85 FR 33004, 33009) is revised to
                read as follows: ``(SBA Form 3508 or SBA Form 3508EZ, as applicable, or
                lender equivalent)''.
                2. Changes to the First Loan Review Rule
                a. Alternative Loan Forgiveness Application
                 The First Loan Review Rule informs borrowers and lenders of SBA's
                process for reviewing PPP loan applications and loan forgiveness
                applications. Because SBA has issued an alternative Loan Forgiveness
                Application, SBA Form 3508EZ, the following changes are necessary.
                 Parts III.1.b and III.1.e are revised by striking each reference in
                those sections to ``SBA Form 3508 or lender's equivalent form'' and
                replacing it with ``SBA Form 3508, 3508EZ, or lender's equivalent
                form''.
                b. The Loan Forgiveness Process for Lenders
                 As noted above, SBA has issued an alternative Loan Forgiveness
                Application Form, SBA Form 3508EZ. Further, Section 3(b)(2) of the
                Flexibility Act reduced, from 75 percent to 60 percent, the portion of
                PPP loan proceeds that must be used for payroll costs for the full
                amount of the PPP loan to be eligible for forgiveness. As set forth
                below, these developments necessitate several revisions to Part III.2
                of the First Loan Review Rule.
                 Part III.2.a. is revised to read as follows:
                a. What should a lender review?
                 When a borrower submits SBA Form 3508 or lender's equivalent form,
                the lender shall:
                 i. Confirm receipt of the borrower certifications contained in
                the SBA Form 3508 or lender's equivalent form.
                 ii. Confirm receipt of the documentation the borrower must
                submit to aid in verifying payroll and nonpayroll costs, as
                specified in the instructions to the SBA Form 3508 or lender's
                equivalent form.
                [[Page 38310]]
                 iii. Confirm the borrower's calculations on the borrower's SBA
                Form 3508 or lender's equivalent form, including the dollar amount
                of the (A) Cash Compensation, Non-Cash Compensation, and
                Compensation to Owners claimed on Lines 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 on PPP
                Schedule A and (B) Business Mortgage Interest Payments, Business
                Rent or Lease Payments, and Business Utility Payments claimed on
                Lines 2, 3, and 4 on the PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form, by
                reviewing the documentation submitted with the SBA Form 3508 or
                lender's equivalent form.
                 iv. Confirm that the borrower made the calculation on Line 10 of
                the SBA Form 3508 or lender's equivalent form correctly, by dividing
                the borrower's Eligible Payroll Costs claimed on Line 1 by 0.60.
                 When the borrower submits SBA Form 3508EZ or lender's equivalent
                form, the lender shall:
                 i. Confirm receipt of the borrower certifications contained in
                the SBA Form 3508EZ or lender's equivalent form.
                 ii. Confirm receipt of the documentation the borrower must
                submit to aid in verifying payroll and nonpayroll costs, as
                specified in the instructions to the SBA Form 3508EZ or lender's
                equivalent form.
                 iii. Confirm the borrower's calculations on the borrower's SBA
                Form 3508EZ or lender's equivalent form, including the dollar amount
                of the Payroll Costs, Business Mortgage Interest Payments, Business
                Rent or Lease Payments, and Business Utility Payments claimed on
                Lines 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the SBA Form 3508EZ or lender's equivalent
                form, by reviewing the documentation submitted with the SBA Form
                3508EZ or lender's equivalent form.
                 iv. Confirm that the borrower made the calculation on Line 7 of
                the SBA Form 3508EZ or lender's equivalent form correctly, by
                dividing the borrower's Eligible Payroll Costs claimed on Line 1 by
                0.60.
                 Providing an accurate calculation of the loan forgiveness amount is
                the responsibility of the borrower, and the borrower attests to the
                accuracy of its reported information and calculations on the Loan
                Forgiveness Application Form. Lenders are expected to perform a good-
                faith review, in a reasonable time, of the borrower's calculations and
                supporting documents concerning amounts eligible for loan forgiveness.
                For example, minimal review of calculations based on a payroll report
                by a recognized third-party payroll processor would be reasonable. By
                contrast, if payroll costs are not documented with such recognized
                sources, more extensive review of calculations and data would be
                appropriate. The borrower shall not receive forgiveness without
                submitting all required documentation to the lender.
                 As the First Interim Final Rule \8\ indicates, lenders may rely on
                borrower representations. If the lender identifies errors in the
                borrower's calculation or material lack of substantiation in the
                borrower's supporting documents, the lender should work with the
                borrower to remedy the issue. As stated in paragraph III.3.c of the
                First Interim Final Rule, the lender does not need to independently
                verify the borrower's reported information if the borrower submits
                documentation supporting its request for loan forgiveness and attests
                that it accurately verified the payments for eligible costs.
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 \8\ 85 FR 20811, 20815-20816 (April 15, 2020).
                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Part III.2.b. is revised to read as follows:
                 b. What is the timeline for the lender's decision on a loan
                forgiveness application?
                 The lender must issue a decision to SBA on a loan forgiveness
                application not later than 60 days after receipt of a complete loan
                forgiveness application from the borrower. That decision may take
                the form of an approval (in whole or in part); denial; or (if
                directed by SBA) a denial without prejudice due to a pending SBA
                review of the loan for which forgiveness is sought. In the case of a
                denial without prejudice, the borrower may subsequently request that
                the lender reconsider its application for loan forgiveness, unless
                SBA has determined that the borrower is ineligible for a PPP loan.
                The Administrator has determined that this process appropriately
                balances the need for efficient processing of loan forgiveness
                applications with considerations of program integrity, including
                affording SBA the opportunity to ensure that borrower
                representations and certifications (including concerning eligibility
                for a PPP loan) were accurate. When the lender issues its decision
                to SBA approving the application (in whole or in part), it must
                include the following:
                 i. For applications submitted using the SBA Form 3508 or
                lender's equivalent form:
                 (1) the PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form;
                 (2) PPP Schedule A; and
                 (3) the (optional) PPP Borrower Demographic Information Form (if
                submitted to the lender).
                 ii. For applications submitted using the SBA Form 3508EZ or
                lender's equivalent form:
                 (1) the SBA Form 3508EZ or lender's equivalent form; and
                 (2) the (optional) Borrower Demographic Information Form (if
                submitted to the lender).
                 The lender must confirm that the information provided by the lender
                to SBA accurately reflects lender's records for the loan, and that the
                lender has made its decision in accordance with the requirements set
                forth in 2.a. If the lender determines that the borrower is entitled to
                forgiveness of some or all of the amount applied for under the statute
                and applicable regulations, the lender must request payment from SBA at
                the time the lender issues its decision to SBA. SBA will, subject to
                any SBA review of the loan or loan application, remit the appropriate
                forgiveness amount to the lender, plus any interest accrued through the
                date of payment, not later than 90 days after the lender issues its
                decision to SBA. If applicable, SBA will deduct EIDL Advance Amounts
                from the forgiveness amount remitted to the Lender as required by
                section 1110(e)(6) of the CARES Act. The lender is responsible for
                notifying the borrower of remittance by SBA of the loan forgiveness
                amount (or that SBA determined that no amount of the loan is eligible
                for forgiveness) and the date on which the borrower's first payment is
                due, if applicable.
                 When the lender issues its decision to SBA determining that the
                borrower is not entitled to forgiveness in any amount, the lender must
                provide SBA with the reason for its denial, together with the
                following:
                 i. For applications submitted using the SBA Form 3508 or
                lender's equivalent form:
                 (1) the PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form;
                 (2) PPP Schedule A; and
                 (3) the (optional) PPP Borrower Demographic Information Form (if
                submitted to the lender).
                 iii. For applications submitted using the SBA Form 3508EZ or
                lender's equivalent form:
                 (1) the SBA Form 3508EZ or lender's equivalent form; and
                 (2) the (optional) Borrower Demographic Information Form (if
                submitted to the lender).
                 The lender must confirm that the information provided by the lender
                to SBA accurately reflects lender's records for the loan, and that the
                lender has made its decision in accordance with the requirements set
                forth in 2.a. The lender must also notify the borrower in writing that
                the lender has issued a decision to SBA denying the loan forgiveness
                application. SBA reserves the right to review the lender's decision in
                its sole discretion. Within 30 days of notice from the lender, a
                borrower may notify the lender that it is requesting that SBA review
                the lender's decision by reviewing the loan in accordance with 2.c.
                below. Within 5 days of receipt, the lender must notify SBA of the
                borrower's request for review. SBA will notify the lender if SBA
                declines a request for review. If the borrower does not request SBA
                review or SBA declines the request for review, the lender is
                responsible for notifying the borrower of the date on which the
                borrower's first payment is due. If SBA accepts a borrower's request
                for review, SBA will notify the borrower and the lender of the results
                of the review. If SBA denies forgiveness in whole or in part, the
                [[Page 38311]]
                lender is responsible for notifying the borrower of the date on which
                the borrower's first payment is due.
                 Enabling SBA to use the statutory 90-day period to review the PPP
                loan and forgiveness documentation is an appropriate procedural
                protection to prevent fraud or misuse of PPP funds, ensure that
                recipients of PPP loans are within the scope of entities that the CARES
                Act is intended to assist, and confirm compliance with the PPP
                requirements set forth in the statute, rules, and guidance. This
                protection is also important in light of the large number and diverse
                types of PPP lenders, many of which were not previously SBA
                participating lenders and which were approved rapidly in order to
                enable financial assistance to be provided as rapidly as feasible to
                millions of small businesses. SBA will use the 90-day period to help
                ensure that applicable legal requirements have been satisfied.
                 Part III.2.c.ii. is revised to read as follows:
                 ii. The Loan Forgiveness Application (SBA Form 3508, 3508EZ, or
                lender's equivalent form), and all supporting documentation provided
                by the borrower (if the lender has received such application). If
                the lender receives such application after it receives notice that
                SBA has commenced a loan review, the lender shall transmit
                electronic copies of the application and all supporting
                documentation provided by the borrower to SBA within five business
                days of receipt.
                 The lender must also request that the borrower provide the
                lender with the applicable documentation that the instructions to
                the Loan Forgiveness Application Form (SBA Form 3508, 3508EZ, or
                lender's equivalent) instruct the borrower to maintain but not
                submit (documentation listed under ``Documents that Each Borrower
                Must Maintain but is Not Required to Submit''). The lender must
                submit documents received from the borrower to SBA within five
                business days of receipt from the borrower.
                3. Additional Information
                 SBA may provide further guidance, if needed, through SBA notices
                which will be posted on SBA's website at www.sba.gov. Questions on the
                Paycheck Protection Program may be directed to the Lender Relations
                Specialist in the local SBA Field Office. The local SBA Field Office
                may be found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.
                Compliance With Executive Orders 12866, 12988, 13132, 13563, and 13771,
                the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35), and the Regulatory
                Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612)
                Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771
                 This interim final rule is economically significant for the
                purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, and is considered a major
                rule under the Congressional Review Act. SBA, however, is proceeding
                under the emergency provision at Executive Order 12866 Section
                6(a)(3)(D), based on the need to move expeditiously to mitigate the
                current economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency. This
                rule's designation under Executive Order 13771 will be informed by
                public comment.
                Executive Order 12988
                 SBA and Treasury have drafted this rule, to the extent practicable,
                in accordance with the standards set forth in section 3(a) and 3(b)(2)
                of Executive Order 12988, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity,
                and reduce burden. The rule has no preemptive or retroactive effect.
                Executive Order 13132
                 SBA and Treasury have determined that this rule will not have
                substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between
                the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power
                and responsibilities among the various layers of government. Therefore,
                SBA has determined that this rule has no federalism implications
                warranting preparation of a federalism assessment.
                Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35
                 SBA and Treasury have determined that this rule modifies existing
                information collection. The amendments to the PPP made by the
                Flexibility Act and implemented in this interim final rule require
                conforming revisions to the Paycheck Protection Program--Loan
                Forgiveness Application (SBA Form 3508), for use in collecting the
                information required to determine whether a borrower is eligible for
                loan forgiveness. In addition, SBA has developed a streamlined Paycheck
                Protection Program--PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508EZ (SBA
                Form 3508 EZ), which is available for borrowers meeting criteria
                described in the instructions accompanying the form. SBA has obtained
                OMB approval of the modification to the existing information
                collection, which is currently approved as an emergency request under
                OMB Control Number 3245-0407 until October 31, 2020.
                Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
                 The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that when
                an agency issues a proposed rule, or a final rule pursuant to section
                553(b) of the APA or another law, the agency must prepare a regulatory
                flexibility analysis that meets the requirements of the RFA and publish
                such analysis in the Federal Register. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. Specifically,
                the RFA normally requires agencies to describe the impact of a
                rulemaking on small entities by providing a regulatory impact analysis.
                Such analysis must address the consideration of regulatory options that
                would lessen the economic effect of the rule on small entities. The RFA
                defines a ``small entity'' as (1) a proprietary firm meeting the size
                standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA); (2) a nonprofit
                organization that is not dominant in its field; or (3) a small
                government jurisdiction with a population of less than 50,000. 5 U.S.C.
                601(3)-(6). Except for such small government jurisdictions, neither
                State nor local governments are ``small entities.'' Similarly, for
                purposes of the RFA, individual persons are not small entities. The
                requirement to conduct a regulatory impact analysis does not apply if
                the head of the agency ``certifies that the rule will not, if
                promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
                of small entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 605(b). The agency must, however, publish
                the certification in the Federal Register at the time of publication of
                the rule, ``along with a statement providing the factual basis for such
                certification.'' If the agency head has not waived the requirements for
                a regulatory flexibility analysis in accordance with the RFA's waiver
                provision, and no other RFA exception applies, the agency must prepare
                the regulatory flexibility analysis and publish it in the Federal
                Register at the time of promulgation or, if the rule is promulgated in
                response to an emergency that makes timely compliance impracticable,
                within 180 days of publication of the final rule. 5 U.S.C. 604(a),
                608(b). Rules that are exempt from notice and comment are also exempt
                from the RFA requirements, including conducting a regulatory
                flexibility analysis, when among other things the agency for good cause
                finds that notice and public procedure are impracticable, unnecessary,
                or contrary to the public interest. SBA Office of Advocacy guide: How
                to Comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Ch.1. p.9. Accordingly,
                SBA and Treasury are not
                [[Page 38312]]
                required to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis.
                Jovita Carranza,
                Administrator,Small Business Administration.
                Michael Faulkender,
                Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Department of the Treasury.
                [FR Doc. 2020-13782 Filed 6-24-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 8026-03-P
                

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