Support for Small Businesses

Reopening California 

The State of California is moving Beyond the Blueprint to safely and fully reopen the economy. For more information, please visit the State's website, https://covid19.ca.gov/safely-reopening/

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State and Federal Resources for Businesses

Resources are available to help small businesses financially impacted by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis.

The CARES Act, was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The act provides assistance to small businesses through emergency grants, forgivable loans and relief for existing loans. A summary of the Act’s small business provisions, which are being carried out by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is provided below. The SBA also put together The Small Business Owners’ Guide to the CARES Act.

• Paycheck Protection Program - Eligible businesses and organizations may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by eight weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount. Loan payments will be deferred for six months.If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first eight weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has compiled the Coronavirus Emergency Loan Guide and Checklist featuring more information on the Paycheck Protection Program.

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance - This program provides working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue. Small businesses are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.

• SBA Debt Relief - This  program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. Under this program:
  • SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.
  • SBA will pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020. 

SBA Capital Loans - SBA works with lenders to provide loans to small businesses. The agency doesn’t lend money directly to small business owners but sets guidelines for loans made by its partnering lenders, community development organizations that makes it easier for small businesses to get loans. Loans guaranteed by the SBA range from small to large and can be used for most business purposes, including long-term fixed assets and operating capital.  For more information, please visit sba.gov/funding-programs/loans.

SBA Disaster Loan Program - SBA is providing low-interest disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. For more information, please visit sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.

SBA Express Bridge Loan - SBA introduced a new loan for small businesses that currently have a business relationship with SBA Express Lenders to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses and assist with temporary loss of revenue, and can be used as term loans or to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. For more information, please visit sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-express-bridge-loans.

Federal Grant Resources - The California Governor's Office of Planning and Research developed a federal grant resources webpage that provides information on how to learn about and apply for federal grants. For more information, visit opr.ca.gov/clearinghouse/ceqa/federal-grants/resources.html.

CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK)

IBANK's Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program is currently available to small businesses needing assistance to overcome economic injury caused by COVID-19. Financial Development Corporation (FDC) partners throughout the State are assisting businesses in securing a 95% guarantee on bank loans of up to $1 million.

For additional information on the Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program, visit ibank.ca.gov/small-business-finance-center/.

Reduced Work Hours

Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs. Please visit the EDD's Work Sharing Program webpage to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.

Tax Assistance

Employee Retention Tax Credit - The IRS introduced an employee retention tax credit designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. This credit is available to employers if their business is fully or partially suspended by government order, or experience a decline in gross receipts by more than 50% in a quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019. The amount of credit is 50% of qualifying wages paid up to $10,000 in total. Wages paid after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021 are eligible for the credit. Wages taken into account are not limited to cash payments, but also include a portion of the cost of employer provided health care.  Learn more here.

Sales Tax Relief - On April 2, Governor Newsom announced that small businesses can defer their sales/use tax of up to $50,000. The reprieve on sales/use tax would serve as a 12-month bridge loan, with no interest or penalties. Eligible businesses must have less than $5 million in taxable sales. Payment plan requests can be made through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration's online portal. Learn more here.

CDTFA Extensions - On March 30, Governor Newsom signed an executive order that will provide tax, regulatory and licensing extensions for businesses. The executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. Small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns. Additionally, the order extends the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund by 60 days to accommodate tax and fee payers. Learn more here.

Other Important Tax Information:

• State and federal tax filing deadlines have been extended. The State Franchise Tax Board announced that tax file and pay deadlines have been extended to July 15, 2020.  The IRS and Treasury Department also extended the deadlines for federal tax filing and payments to July 15, 2020.

• Please visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website to apply for special assistance, including filing and payment extensions, and/or relief from interest and penalties.

• Employers experiencing a hardship may request up to a 60-day extension from the Employment Development Department to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. For more information, please call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center:

• Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886
• Hearing impaired (TTY): 1-800-547-9565
• Outside the U.S. or Canada: 1-916-464-3502

More State Resources to Help Small Business

• The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development has compiled helpful information for employers, employees and businesses in regards to COVID-19 on their business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/ webpage.

• In addition, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate has developed a FAQ list for California Small Businesses.

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Local Resources

Orange County Small Business Development Center

The Orange County Small Business Development Center (OC SBDC) offers business consulting, training and online courses to entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the Orange County at no cost. They have the latest information for businesses regarding COVID-19 and the resources to help businesses recover and reopen safely. OC SBDC also helps administer several COVID-19 grant and loan programs. Businesses can contact OC SBDC by calling 657-278-1801 or visiting https://ociesmallbusiness.org/.

Orange County Economic & Business Recovery Call Center

Orange County Community Services has implemented a call center to meet the needs of businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The call center offers information and resources to help Orange County businesses navigate the current economic climate. These resources will support businesses with challenges such as lay-off aversion, loans, utility reduction programs, and community resources mapping.  Businesses can call the Economic & Business Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.occommunityservices.org.

SCORE Orange County

SCORE Orange County offers no-cost personal mentoring at 23 locations throughout Orange County and provides free and low-cost workshops and webinars on a variety of business topics. Visit www.orangecounty.score.org or call 714-550-7369 for more information.

Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce

Local businesses can contact the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce at 949-729-4404 or steve@newportbeach.com for help with answering questions about the CARES act and other business assistance.

Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce

The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 949-673-4050 or via email to info@cdmchamber.com.

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Private Sector Resources

Facebook Online Business Toolkit

Facebook has created a Business webpage with free resources and tools on how to get your business online. In response to COVID-19, they have created toolkits tailored to each industry on how to adapt and respond to the changing marketplace. 

For businesses with existing social media platforms, Facebook has partnered with Square and Kabbage to help set up your business with the ability to sell gift cards online.