On October 2, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a Procedural Notice on Paycheck Protection Program Loans and Changes of Ownership.
The Procedural Notice sets forth a PPP borrower’s responsibilities in the event of a change of ownership, including clear guidance on when SBA prior approval is required and the procedures to request such approval.
Change in ownership definition
For purposes of the PPP, a change in ownership will be considered to have occurred when one of these conditions are met:
1. At least 20 percent of the common stock or other ownership interest of a PPP borrower is sold or otherwise transferred, whether in one or more transactions, one including to an affiliate or an existing owner of the entity.
2. The PPP borrower sells or otherwise transfers at least 50 percent of its assets (measured by fair market value), whether in one or more transactions
3. A PPP borrower is merged with or into another entity.
PPP borrower responsibilities
Regardless of any change of ownership, the PPP borrower remains responsible for:
Additionally, the PPP borrower remains responsible for obtaining, preparing, and retaining all required PPP forms and supporting documentation and providing those forms and supporting documentation to the PPP lender or the lender servicing the PPP loan or to the SBA upon request.
Prior to the closing of any change of ownership transaction, the PPP borrower must notify the PPP lender in writing of the contemplated transaction and provide the PPP lender with a copy of the proposed agreements or other documents that would carry out the proposed transaction.
SBA approval requirement
The nature of the procedures to be followed will differ to some extent depending on the status of the PPP loan immediately prior to a change of ownership transaction.
For instance, if the PPP loan is fully satisfied prior to closing the sale or transfer, there are no restrictions. The PPP loan can be satisfied by either repayment in full or full completion of the PPP loan forgiveness process.
If the PPP loan is not satisfied prior to closing the sale or transfer, SBA approval is NOT required in the following scenarios:
1. If the change of ownership is structured as an ownership sale and either (i) consists of 50% or less of the ownership interest of the PPP borrower or (ii) the PPP borrower completes and submits a forgiveness application together with any required supporting documentation and establishes an escrow account controlled by the PPP lender equal to the outstanding balance of the PPP loan.
2. If the change of ownership is structured as an asset sale for 50% or more of the PPP borrower’s assets (measured by fair market value) and the PPP borrower completes and submits a forgiveness application together with any required supporting documentation and establishes an escrow account controlled by the PPP lender equal to the outstanding balance of the PPP loan.
SBA prior approval IS required if a change of ownership of a PPP borrower does not meet the conditions described above.
Procedures for requesting SBA approval
To obtain the SBA’s prior approval of requests for changes of ownership, the PPP lender must submit a request to the SBA that includes:
Other items of interest
In the event of a change of ownership structured as an asset sale, SBA approval will be conditioned on the buyer assuming all of the PPP borrower’s obligations under the PPP loan.
The purchase or sale agreement must include appropriate language regarding the assumption of the PPP borrower’s obligations under the PPP loan by the buyer.
In the event of a change of ownership structured as an ownership sale, the original PPP borrower will remain subject to all obligations under the PPP loan.
How we can help
We can help you navigate the ever-changing PPP forgiveness landscape and any ownership changes involving entities with PPP loans. Whether you need just a short consultation or full support, we have a forgiveness package option for you.
Our PPP professionals are also available to provide educational webinars to trade groups, affiliated company groups, and banking clients with PPP loans. CLA’s Jack Rybicki assisted with the preparation of this article.
Michael Bosma, CPA, is Principal-in-Charge of the Reno office of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. His NNBW column, “Covering Your Assets,” focuses on effective planning strategies for every business owner. He’s also the host of “Bosma on Business,” which airs Saturdays at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 780 KOH. Reach him for comment at mike.bosma@claconnect.com.
-->On October 2, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a Procedural Notice on Paycheck Protection Program Loans and Changes of Ownership.
The Procedural Notice sets forth a PPP borrower’s responsibilities in the event of a change of ownership, including clear guidance on when SBA prior approval is required and the procedures to request such approval.
Change in ownership definition
For purposes of the PPP, a change in ownership will be considered to have occurred when one of these conditions are met:
1. At least 20 percent of the common stock or other ownership interest of a PPP borrower is sold or otherwise transferred, whether in one or more transactions, one including to an affiliate or an existing owner of the entity.
2. The PPP borrower sells or otherwise transfers at least 50 percent of its assets (measured by fair market value), whether in one or more transactions
3. A PPP borrower is merged with or into another entity.
PPP borrower responsibilities
Regardless of any change of ownership, the PPP borrower remains responsible for:
Additionally, the PPP borrower remains responsible for obtaining, preparing, and retaining all required PPP forms and supporting documentation and providing those forms and supporting documentation to the PPP lender or the lender servicing the PPP loan or to the SBA upon request.
Prior to the closing of any change of ownership transaction, the PPP borrower must notify the PPP lender in writing of the contemplated transaction and provide the PPP lender with a copy of the proposed agreements or other documents that would carry out the proposed transaction.
SBA approval requirement
The nature of the procedures to be followed will differ to some extent depending on the status of the PPP loan immediately prior to a change of ownership transaction.
For instance, if the PPP loan is fully satisfied prior to closing the sale or transfer, there are no restrictions. The PPP loan can be satisfied by either repayment in full or full completion of the PPP loan forgiveness process.
If the PPP loan is not satisfied prior to closing the sale or transfer, SBA approval is NOT required in the following scenarios:
1. If the change of ownership is structured as an ownership sale and either (i) consists of 50% or less of the ownership interest of the PPP borrower or (ii) the PPP borrower completes and submits a forgiveness application together with any required supporting documentation and establishes an escrow account controlled by the PPP lender equal to the outstanding balance of the PPP loan.
2. If the change of ownership is structured as an asset sale for 50% or more of the PPP borrower’s assets (measured by fair market value) and the PPP borrower completes and submits a forgiveness application together with any required supporting documentation and establishes an escrow account controlled by the PPP lender equal to the outstanding balance of the PPP loan.
SBA prior approval IS required if a change of ownership of a PPP borrower does not meet the conditions described above.
Procedures for requesting SBA approval
To obtain the SBA’s prior approval of requests for changes of ownership, the PPP lender must submit a request to the SBA that includes:
Other items of interest
In the event of a change of ownership structured as an asset sale, SBA approval will be conditioned on the buyer assuming all of the PPP borrower’s obligations under the PPP loan.
The purchase or sale agreement must include appropriate language regarding the assumption of the PPP borrower’s obligations under the PPP loan by the buyer.
In the event of a change of ownership structured as an ownership sale, the original PPP borrower will remain subject to all obligations under the PPP loan.
How we can help
We can help you navigate the ever-changing PPP forgiveness landscape and any ownership changes involving entities with PPP loans. Whether you need just a short consultation or full support, we have a forgiveness package option for you.
Our PPP professionals are also available to provide educational webinars to trade groups, affiliated company groups, and banking clients with PPP loans. CLA’s Jack Rybicki assisted with the preparation of this article.
Michael Bosma, CPA, is Principal-in-Charge of the Reno office of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. His NNBW column, “Covering Your Assets,” focuses on effective planning strategies for every business owner. He’s also the host of “Bosma on Business,” which airs Saturdays at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 780 KOH. Reach him for comment at mike.bosma@claconnect.com.
