State aid programs are rapidly changing as they reach capacity and as new sources of funding come online. This guide outlines existing programs, but they might not be immediately available, even for businesses that meet the criteria.
The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on many small businesses across California. It has forced companies to pause operations, close their brick-and-mortar stores, and, if possible, move their businesses online.
The state of California, together with the federal government, has taken various steps to help small businesses cope with the new situation, and recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
Besides the U.S. federal options available nationwide, there are also some financing options specific for California business owners.
To help businesses overcome this unprecedented situation, the state is offering multiple relief options for California taxpayers.
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) is offering a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments without any penalties or interest. That means small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns.
Business taxpayers also have additional time to file claims for refunds and appeals to the Office of Tax Appeals. Taxpayers looking to make refund claims with CDTFA during this period will have an additional 60 days to file. Similarly, taxpayers seeking an appeal of a CDTFA tax determination to the Office of Tax Appeals will have 60 additional days to file the appropriate request.
Eligibility
As of March 30, 2020, all taxpayers who file a return of less than $1 million will have an additional three months to file their return, until July 31, 2020.
How to apply
If you qualify for this extension, it is automatic, and you do not need to apply.
Another tax-relief option from the CDTFA allows small businesses with less than $5 million in annual sales to defer up to $50,000 in sales- and use-tax payments for up to 12 months.
Eligibility
Small business taxpayers, with less than $5 million in taxable annual sales.
How to apply
Payment plan requests can be made through the CDTFA online services system in the coming months. If you want to be notified when the system becomes available, you can fill out this form, or contact the customer service center at 1-800-400-7115.
The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has extended deadlines for all California taxpayers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new deadline for filing tax appeals, protests, and refund claims is July 15, 2020.
FTB is postponing the filing and payment deadlines for all individuals and business entities for:
2019 tax returns
2019 tax return payments
2020 1st and 2nd quarter estimate payments
2020 LLC taxes and fees
2020 Non-wage withholding payments
Eligibility
FTB is extending the relief to all California taxpayers.
How to apply
You don’t need to claim any special treatment or to call to qualify for this relief.
In addition to the nationwide relief funding options, there are some specific financing options available for California business owners.
San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) has created a resiliency fund for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The emergency loan fund will provide small businesses up to $50,000 in zero-interest loans that they can use to pay payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, and more. The loan will have a flexible repayment schedule, with terms determined on a case-by-case basis, based on each borrower’s ability to repay.
Eligibility
Your business must:
Be a for-profit business located in San Francisco
Have a total annual revenue under $2.5M
Demonstrate a 25% drop in revenues since January 1, 2020
Have 3 years remaining on lease
How to apply
You can find out more information about this fund and apply here.
The City of Los Angeles has a newly established Small Business Emergency Microloan Program that provides financing for small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The emergency microloans under this program are between $5,000-$20,000, with three repayment options:
0% for a term of up to 18 months, with repayment deferred for up to 6 months
3% for a term of up to 5 years, with repayment deferred for up to 12 months (for-profit businesses)
2% for a term of up to 5 years, with repayment deferred for up to 12 months (for tax-exempt businesses)
Eligibility
Your business must:
Be a for-profit or tax-exempt business located in Los Angeles
Have 100 or fewer employees
Be affected by COVID-19
Make an effort to continue or re-establish business operations and employees
How to apply
Businesses that meet the criteria may apply online.
The California Capital Access Program for Small Business is designed to encourage banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that are facing difficulties. This is a loan loss reserve program that may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of defaults.
The maximum loan amount is $5 million, and the maximum enrolled amount is $2.5 million. Individual borrowers are limited to a maximum of $2.5 million enrolled over a 3-year period. The loans under this program can be used for land acquisition, construction or renovation of buildings, start-up costs, equipment or inventory purchases, capital projects, and working capital.
Eligibility
Your business must:
Be classified as a small business under the U.S. SBA guidelines
Employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees
Have a business purpose that is one of the industries listed in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes list
Have a primary business, and at least 51% of the employees or its income, sales, or payroll come from business in California. Business activity resulting from the bank’s loan must be created and retained in California.
How to apply
If you meet the mentioned criteria, you can start the enrollment process by contacting a participating lender.
The Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) supports small businesses, helps them create and retain jobs, and encourages investment through a Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee and a Jump Start Loan Program. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced that the state is allocating $50 million to the IBank for loan guarantees to small businesses to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities.
This disaster program provides loan guarantees of up to $1 million for small business borrowers. Loan proceeds can be used for rent, payroll, and other uses for business continuity. The loan can be guaranteed up to 7 years and cover up to 95% of the loan.
Eligibility
This program is intended for small businesses located in California with 1-750 employees that have been negatively impacted or experienced disruption by COVID-19 and eligible nonprofits.
How to apply
Qualifying small business owners may apply directly with a participating lender; you can find the list here.
This program offers “microloans” from $500 to $10,000 to low-wealth entrepreneurs in declared disaster and emergency areas. Jump Start provides microloans, technical assistance, and financial literacy training. The loan term is up to 5 years.
Eligibility
This program is intended for small businesses located in California, businesses in underserved communities, and low net worth entrepreneurs.
How to apply
When this program becomes available, information on how to apply will be posted here.
There are some additional resources that can help California businesses adapt to the challenges of COVID-19, including:
The state is also allowing small businesses to defer payment of sales and use taxes of up to $50,000, for up to 12 months.
The state has requested that banks implement immediate moratoriums on commercial foreclosures and related evictions. This is only a request (not a requirement).
Several California cities and counties have banned commercial evictions during the COVID-19 Declared State of Emergency, including major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego. Consult with your local city or county website to confirm if there is a commercial eviction moratorium in your area.
Arts Relief Program (San Francisco): $2.5 million in support will go to working artists and arts and cultural organizations financially impacted by COVID-19.
The Angeleno Card — a no-fee debit card with up to $1,500 for families in need — is open to application for California residents who were beneath the federal poverty line before the COVID-19 crisis began and who had their income reduced by at least another 50% due to the outbreak.
There are local foundations and private funds that offer relief funds for small businesses affected by the coronavirus:
Small Business Relief Fund provides immediate support to struggling self-employed and small business owners. Hosted by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, in partnership with Opportunity Fund.
Small Business Grants Program by Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits.
Pacific Community Ventures offers free resources to help small business owners with finances, human resources, or crisis management.
Visit Stripe’s COVID-19 resources page for products, programs, and resources we are building to help your business adapt.