How many PPP loans were forgiven?

Asked by: Dr. Lea Gislason DVM  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (56 votes)

Update: 10.5 million PPP loans were forgiven. Here's why. Pandemic Oversight.

Did anyone repay PPP loans?

Let's say you got a loan and you didn't have to pay it back. You'd probably celebrate. But some people did something unusual. They got loans from the government's Paycheck Protection Program, which helped small businesses during COVID, and they were eligible for loan forgiveness, but they repaid the money anyway.

Why were some PPP loans not forgiven?

So, why haven't some loans been forgiven? There are a few reasons. Perhaps a business owner didn't spend at least 60 percent of their PPP loan on payroll – one of the requirements for forgiveness. It's also possible that some businesses repaid their loans.

Did PPP loans help the economy?

One such study conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed “an 8% increase in employment, 11.5% increase in wages, and a 5.8% decline in the likelihood of closure within one month of PPP approval.” The Bipartisan Policy Center emphasized that studies showed that the PPP's impact extended beyond the businesses ...

Who passed PPP loan forgiveness?

The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 417–1 on May 28. The Senate passed the bill by voice vote on June 3. President Trump signed the bill into law on June 5, 2020.

People Are Telling Me to Get the PPP Loan, Should I?

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How many people got PPP loans forgiven?

Update: 10.5 million PPP loans were forgiven. Here's why. Pandemic Oversight.

Will PPP loans under $150,000 be audited?

Who will be audited? PPP loans in excess of $2 million are automatically triggered for an audit by the SBA. The SBA has created a safe harbor for any PPP loan borrower that, together with its affiliates, received loans of less than $2 million.

Where exactly did $800 billion in PPP money go?

A new National Bureau of Economic Research study found that 66% to 77% of the money from the program did not go to paychecks. Instead, most of money ended up in the hands of business owners and shareholders.

Where did all the PPP money go?

PPP funds were paid to businesses that used the funds to pay retained and previously unemployed workers. Roughly 25% of PPP loan funds were used for that purpose. Of the remaining 75% of funds, creditors who would not have been paid also became beneficiaries.

What is the advantage of PPP to the government?

Reduce risk for the public sector

The transfer of part of the project risks to private partners is one of the key incentives generated by public private partnerships and directly results in a better control by the public sector of the overall project cost, delivery time frame and quality of outputs.

Did Tom Brady get a PPP loan?

However, there were also those who defended the former quarterback, pointing out that he had already returned the PPP loan before he purchased the yacht with his own money. But the question remains: did Tom Brady actually apply for the PPP loan and use it to buy a yacht? The answer is yes.

What happens if you can't pay back your PPP loan?

The SBA can: (1) report the status of the loan(s) to credit bureaus, (2) hire a collection agency to collect the loan, (3) offset income tax refunds or other amounts due to the borrower from the Federal Government, (4) suspend or debar you or your company from doing business with the Federal Government, or (5) refer ...

What is the average PPP loan amount?

*Net Approved Dollars do not reflect the amount required for reimbursement to lenders per statute within the CARES Act. Overall average loan size is $206K.

Will the IRS audit PPP loans?

Typically, the SBA has been responsible for PPP loan audits. But now, the IRS, too, is targeting businesses who may have fraudulently received loan forgiveness. That's because loan forgiveness granted on the basis of misrepresentations or omissions is included in taxable income.

Did PPP loans actually go to employees?

These numbers imply that only 23 to 34 percent of PPP dollars went directly to workers who would otherwise have lost jobs; the balance flowed to business owners and shareholders, including creditors and suppliers of PPP-receiving firms.

How do you know if your PPP loan is being investigated?

Generally, if you are flagged for PPP fraud, you will be contacted by a federal agent from a law enforcement agency or other federal authorities regarding your loan under the CARES Act. Your bank might also inform you that your bank accounts have been frozen or seized as part of investigations into PPP Loan fraud.

How many jobs did PPP save?

The PPP was a very large and very timely fiscal-policy intervention, saving about 3 million jobs at its peak in the second quarter of 2020 and distributing $800 billion well within two years of the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

How were PPP loans forgiven?

Borrowers qualify for loan forgiveness if they use at least 60% of the funds for payroll costs between 8 and 24 weeks after the loan disbursement date. A loan forgiveness application must be submitted before the maturity date of the loan, which is either two or five years from the date the loan originated.

Who is not eligible for a PPP loan?

Could I be ineligible for a PPP loan even if I meet the requirements? obtained a direct or guaranteed loan from SBA or any other Federal agency that is currently delinquent or has defaulted within the last seven years and caused a loss to the government.

Who benefited from PPP loans?

Overall, PPP loans appeared to reach about 76 percent of US small businesses and to have covered 97 percent of a 10-week period of their payrolls. In addition, PPP loans of $5.3 billion were provided to 335,982 businesses that we identified as likely having no employees.

What was PPP supposed to be used for?

This program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

Do you have to report your PPP loan on taxes?

No. Loan proceeds received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are not taxable income, regardless if the loan was forgiven or not. Forgiven PPP loans are not considered cancellation of debt income, and as such, you should not report these loan proceeds on your tax return.

Will SBA loans be forgiven?

Business owners defaulting on their SBA loan can apply for loan forgiveness, but that does not guarantee the SBA will approve the request. It is more commonly referred to as an "offer in compromise". The SBA evaluates your case and discusses the matter with the lender.

Can a PPP loan be audited after forgiveness?

The PPP loan audit period does not end with loan forgiveness, as borrowers may still be subject to an SBA PPP loan audit after forgiveness. The SBA may audit a borrower's PPP loan up to six years after the loan is forgiven.