5 Fundamentals of the Corporate Transparency Act: Impacts on Small Businesses
On January 1, 2021, Congress enacted the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. In an effort to strengthen the fight against money laundering and the funding of terrorist activities, it included broad amendments to the U.S. Anti-Money Laundering Act, the most significant of which was the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The CTA will greatly impact the way businesses are formed and how they operate, and it will require regular reporting practices that businesses need to prepare for before the CTA takes effect. Below are . . . Read More
Federal Trade Commission Updates HSR Thresholds
The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (HSR Act) requires that certain mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures be cleared by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) if they exceed certain valuation and monetary thresholds. If your transaction exceeds the HSR thresholds, and therefore requires antitrust scrutiny, this can materially alter the structure and timing of the proposed transaction. Pursuant to the HSR Act, the FTC is required annually to . . . Read More
SBA Provides Direction for PPP Round Deux Loans and Second Draw Loans
On January 6, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued its first round of formal guidance for the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the second-draw PPP loans, which we first discussed here . SBA also gave some indication of plans for the second round of the PPP. SBA’s guidance can be found here for the next phase of PPP and here for the second-draw program. Below are key updates for businesses that need access to this important source of relief funding. As . . . Read More
Purchase Agreement Components, Part 2: Indemnification Provisions
In an acquisition, particularly an equity acquisition, a buyer must perform extensive due diligence on the target company to understand, as thoroughly as possible, the risks associated with the acquisition. In most cases, however, the buyer cannot fully evaluate or even identify all sources of risk that it will assume post-closing. To address these uncertainties and allocate these potential risks, the buyer and seller negotiate indemnification provisions that set forth the scope of each party’s obligation to reimburse the other . . . Read More
PPP Round Deux: Who Qualifies, For How Much, and Forgiveness Changes
While the President vetoed the 2021 NDAA—and has put COVID relief into question—he has not yet acted on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which contained the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (the Act) dealing with the second round of PPP Loans. So, while the Act may be in jeopardy of a veto also, it has not yet occurred and, regardless, it is likely many of the PPP Loan provisions contained in the Act will be . . . Read More
Unsure Whether You’ll Lose Tax Deductions for a Forgiven PPP Loan? Wait Until 2021 to File for Forgiveness
As it hashes out the details of the next COVID-19 relief package, Congress is facing pressure from business groups to allow businesses to write off expenses covered by forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The groups explain that, without write offs, “millions of small businesses . . . will face a surprising, and, in many cases, insurmountable tax bill next year.” We have received questions about the quagmire of regulations covering tax treatment for businesses when PPP loan balances are . . . Read More
Got Millennials? Two New Trends for Private Company Boards of Directors
Recent trends in corporate governance best practices for privately held companies show a shift away from the previous view of Boards of Directors solely as a formality. Increasingly, private companies are realizing the value of boards as a powerful strategic tool to achieve a more cohesive, efficient, and valuable company. Drawing from governance and reporting requirements for public companies under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, private companies are creating their own governance structures that mirror those of publicly traded companies, . . . Read More
SBA Releases Loan Necessity Questionnaire for PPP Borrowers
On October 26, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a notice in the Federal Register that, among other updates, announced two new forms, 3509 and 3510 (the Forms), related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Form 3509 is for for-profit businesses, while 3510 applies only to non-profit entities. These Forms will be sent by PPP lenders only to PPP borrowers who received a principal loan amount of $2 million or more, and borrowers will have ten days to complete it. According to . . . Read More
Important Considerations When Structuring M&A Transactions for Government Contractors: Post-Transaction Pitfalls—Part 3 of a 3-Part Series
M&A transactions involving government contractors are subject to a host of regulatory and industry-specific considerations. This blog series covers key concerns that can impact a deal. Parts 1 and 2 focus on common problems that arise before and during a transaction. They are available here and here . Below we drill down on post-transaction pitfalls in government contractor M&A transactions that can jeopardize the value of the target company. Security Clearances Many contracts require a company to maintain a facility security clearance. . . . Read More
8 Tips to Manage Risks in Healthcare Transactions
In a typical investment or acquisition, the buyer conducts due diligence of the target company. Due diligence involves extensive review of the target company’s history, finances, and operations, including its contracts, customer and supplier relationships, and employees, to understand the risks and opportunities associated with the investment or acquisition. Healthcare companies have their own unique requirements and structures, so a buyer’s due diligence must consider and thoroughly evaluate these additional factors to mitigate the buyer’s risk post-closing. Professional Corporations and . . . Read More