The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act, also known as H.R.748, was introduced in the House on January 24, 2019, and became Public Law No. 116-136 on March 27, 2020. The Act provides financial support and assistance to small businesses, self-employed individuals, and disaster loan applicants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of the Act | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act |
Date it Became Law | March 27, 2020 |
Signed By | President Trump |
What You'll Learn
The CARES Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, was passed to provide economic relief and support to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 24, 2019, by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) and was passed by the House on July 17, 2019.
The CARES Act included a variety of provisions to assist individuals, families, and businesses impacted by the pandemic. This included expanded unemployment benefits, such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Emergency Unemployment Relief for governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. The Act also provided funding for the DOL Office of Inspector General to oversee unemployment provisions. Additionally, the CARES Act addressed issues related to small businesses, including the new SBA 7(a) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLS).
The timely implementation of the CARES Act was critical, especially for small businesses and self-employed Americans. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Treasury worked tirelessly to process loan applications and capital efficiently. However, the massive demand for capital presented a significant challenge. Small business owners had to remain flexible and adapt to the evolving application processes.
Furthermore, the CARES Act also included provisions for minority business development and loan forgiveness. It provided direct appropriations and granted the United States Treasury Program Management Authority. Additionally, it addressed the issue of subsidy for certain loan payments and bankruptcy. The Act also recognized the importance of providing resources and services in languages other than English to ensure accessibility for all.
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The Act amended the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The Act amended the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which is the body of law through which Congress typically enacts federal tax legislation. The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) is located in Title 26 of the United States Code (26 USC).
The CARES Act amended the IRC to repeal the excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage. This change to the tax code was one of many provisions in the CARES Act aimed at providing economic relief to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act also included measures to support small businesses, such as the SBA 7(a) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs).
The CARES Act also provided for loan forgiveness and direct appropriations, as well as assistance for American workers, families, and businesses. This included provisions for unemployment insurance, such as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Emergency Unemployment Relief for governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, the Act addressed the need for emergency state staffing flexibility and pandemic emergency unemployment compensation.
Furthermore, the CARES Act included measures to enhance the health care system during the pandemic, such as emergency rulemaking authority and funding for the DOL Office of Inspector General to oversee unemployment provisions. The Act also provided for resources and services in languages other than English to ensure accessibility for all Americans.
Overall, the amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 through the CARES Act were part of a comprehensive effort to provide economic relief and support to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes to the tax code were a critical component of the broader legislative response to the public health and economic crisis.
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The Act provided for loan forgiveness
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The Act was designed to provide financial support to small businesses, the self-employed, and entrepreneurs across the country.
The CARES Act introduced several measures to support small businesses, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLS). The PPP is a loan program designed to help small businesses keep their employees on payroll, while the EIDLS offers financial assistance to small businesses and non-profit organizations that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19.
The Act also provided for loan forgiveness for certain qualifying Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. A "covered loan" is a loan added under new Section 7(a)(36) of the Small Business Act, which was introduced by the CARES Act. To be eligible for loan forgiveness, businesses must adhere to three general guidelines during the Covered Period. Firstly, loan proceeds must be used for specific purposes, including payroll costs, rent, utilities, and interest on certain "covered mortgage obligations". Secondly, 75% of expenses paid must be used for payroll costs. Finally, the amount forgiven may be reduced if there have been employee layoffs or reductions in employee salaries and wages. It is important to note that the amount forgiven cannot exceed the principal amount of the loan.
The CARES Act has been critical in providing financial support to small businesses and self-employed Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The timely implementation of the Act and its various programs has been crucial in helping businesses navigate the economic challenges posed by the pandemic.
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The Act included provisions for small businesses and the self-employed
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The Act included several provisions designed to support small businesses and the self-employed.
The CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) to extend forgivable loans to small businesses, typically those with fewer than 500 employees. This was known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The SBA also offered Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLS), which could be converted into PPP loans. The SBA moved to a download-and-upload method for forms when applying for these loans to streamline the process.
The CARES Act also included provisions for minority business development, emergency grants, and resources and services in languages other than English. It provided assistance and guidance for implementing new programs and initiatives to help small businesses and entrepreneurs meet their diverse needs.
The timely implementation of these provisions was critical to the millions of small businesses and self-employed Americans across the country. The SBA and the U.S. Treasury worked around the clock to ensure loan applications and capital were efficiently processed, despite the massive demand. Small business owners were advised to stay flexible as the application process evolved.
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The Act provided for emergency state staffing flexibility
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump. The CARES Act, otherwise known as H.R.748, was introduced in the House on January 24, 2019, and became Public Law No. 116-136 on March 27, 2020.
The CARES Act was implemented to provide support to small businesses, self-employed Americans, and certain non-profits and other employers. It was designed to offer financial assistance and resources to help with recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The Act included provisions for loan applications and capital processing, with the SBA working to ensure efficient processing despite the massive demand.
The Act also included sections on loan forgiveness, direct appropriations, minority business development, and emergency rulemaking authority, among others. One of the key focuses was on keeping American workers paid and employed, with sections dedicated to paycheck protection, entrepreneurial development, and state trade expansion programs.
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Frequently asked questions
The CARES Act became law on March 27, 2020, when it was signed by President Trump.
The CARES Act stands for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
The CARES Act was introduced to provide financial support to small businesses and self-employed Americans during the COVID-19 crisis.
The CARES Act included provisions for loan forgiveness, direct appropriations, and emergency unemployment relief for governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. It also addressed the prevention, preparation, and response to the coronavirus pandemic domestically and internationally.