TITLE I of the CARES Act

TITLE I of the CARES Act – the “Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act.”

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law.

Among the many significant provisions of the CARES Act are the paycheck protection program and the terms and conditions for loan forgiveness included under Title I of the Act – the “Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act.”

The following summarizes these two significant provisions of Title I. This program, if executed efficiently and quickly by all of the stakeholders, should be a valuable resource for many businesses.

Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) will provide almost $350 billion in 100% federally guaranteed emergency loans to small businesses for payroll and cash-flow assistance. These loans will be administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and funded through SBA lenders.

More information for borrowers and the PPP loan application can be found on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website at: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses.

Who Qualifies to Apply and Application Deadline?

There is a list of types of businesses that qualify. Generally, all businesses with fewer than 500 employees can apply including sole proprietors and independent contractors.

Determining Eligibility

Lenders will determine whether the business was in operation on February 15, 2020 and had employees for whom the borrower paid salaries and payroll taxes, or paid independent contractors.

Loan Amount

Loans can be for up to two months of your average monthly payroll costs from the last year plus an additional 25% of that amount. That amount is subject to a $10 million cap. If you are a seasonal or new business, you will use different applicable time periods for your calculation. Payroll costs will be capped at $100,000 annualized for each employee.

Included Payroll Costs

Payroll costs include: (i) compensation (salary, wages, commissions or similar compensation, payment of cash tips or equivalent; (ii) payment of vacation, parental, family, medical or sick leave; (iii) allowance for dismissal or separation; (iv) payment for group health care benefits, including insurance premiums; (v) payment for retirement benefits; and (vi) payment of any state and local tax assessed on the compensation of employees.

Excluded Payroll Costs

Payroll costs do not include: (i) compensation to an employee in excess of $100,000; (ii) taxes imposed or withheld under chapters 21, 22 and 24 of IRS code during the covered period; (iii) compensation for employees whose principal residence is outside US; (iv) qualified sick leave wages and qualified family leave wages for which a credit is allowed under sections 7001 and 7003 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Use of Loan Proceeds

Payroll costs, including benefits; Interest on mortgage obligations, incurred before February 15, 2020; Rent, under lease agreements in force before February 15, 2020; and Utilities, for which service began before February 15, 2020.

General Loan Terms

The loan terms are extremely favorable. Very low interest rate (the last rate we have seen is 0.5%), no personal guarantees for entity borrowers, no payments for 6 months, repayment due within 2 years to the extent not forgiven. Portions of the emergency small business loans qualify for loan forgiveness if a borrower satisfies certain conditions.

Loan Forgiveness Terms and Conditions

In summary, borrowers will owe money when their loan is due if they use the loan amount for anything other than payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities payments over the 8 weeks after getting the loan. Due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs. Borrowers will also owe money if you do not maintain staff and payroll.

Summary

This program is emerging quickly so it remains to be seen how quickly funds will be advanced. This is intended as a general summary of the CARES Act. Please call any of our attorneys at (856) 427-4200 if you have questions. We look forward to assisting in these difficult times.

Del Duca Lewis & Berr Grows; Hunter S. Kintzing Joins Firm

Cherry Hill, NJ – – Del Duca Lewis & Berr announces that Hunter S. Kintzing, Esq. has joined the Firm as an associate in its Cherry Hill office.

Kintzing, a West Deptford resident, focuses his practice on a wide range of commercial and residential real estate matters in which he represents purchasers, sellers, landlords, tenants, lenders, borrowers and developers in all aspects of their transactions and land use projects. In addition, Kintzing has also represented local municipal governments and planning boards.

Working in close collaboration, Kintzing represents clients in the negotiation of complex purchase and sale agreements for commercial and residential properties, from inception to closing. He represents lenders and borrowers in various types of commercial and real estate loans and has also successfully negotiated retail, office and ground leases for both landlords and tenants.

Among his professional activities, Kintzing is active in the Gloucester County Workforce Investment Board and is a member of the Camden and Gloucester County Bar Associations and Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey. He received his law degree from Rutgers University School of Law – Camden and his B.A. degree from Bucknell University. Kintzing is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“We are pleased to welcome Hunter to the Firm as he is a fine practitioner and valuable advisor. He is committed to providing sound legal advice that is practical and efficient. We look forward to a bright future with Hunter aboard,” commented managing partner, Damien O. Del Duca, Esquire.

Del Duca Lewis & Berr is a full-service commercial law firm whose goal it is to provide clients with prompt, efficient and high quality personal service. The Firm handles all aspects of real estate and other commercial matters, from negotiation to closing, including leasing, acquisitions, land use approvals, and financing on behalf of lenders and borrowers, and all related issues.

Introducing Del Duca Lewis & Berr And Its New Image

Cherry Hill, NJ – – Local commercial real estate and business law firm Del Duca Law Firm unveils its new image and website and is pleased to announce that it is re-introducing itself as Del Duca Lewis & Berr with the naming of partner, Karen Taylor-Lewis, Esq.

“Karen and I have been working together for seven years and is a vital part of the practice. To continue delivering extraordinary service to our growing list of clients, re-naming the firm to include her name is a natural progression of our business relationship together,“ commented managing partner Damien O. Del Duca, Esq., a Haddonfield resident.

“I am delighted to transition into this next phase of my professional relationship with Del Duca Lewis & Berr and look forward to continue to grow the firm with Damien and other members of our team,” offered partner Karen Taylor-Lewis, a Gloucester Township resident.

Del Duca Lewis & Berr launches its new website as a resource and to foster closer communication with its clients, industry contacts, and others who may have pressing commercial legal needs.

Del Duca Lewis & Berr is a full-service commercial law firm whose goal it is to provide clients with prompt, efficient and high quality personal service. The firm handles all aspects of real estate and other commercial matters, from negotiation to closing, including leasing, acquisitions, land use approvals, and financing on behalf of lenders and borrowers, and all related issues.

Located in South Jersey, Del Duca Lewis & Berr services clients throughout the Delaware Valley.