COVID-19

Lack of State and Local Aid Frustrates Small Business Owners Nationwide

by
Sonu Shukla
on
12/16/2020
Lack of State and Local Aid Frustrates Small Business Owners Nationwide

The global pandemic has disrupted life in countless ways, and the damage that has been done to small businesses would have been unimaginable a year ago. The losses that have been suffered have been exacerbated by the perceived lack of state and local support, but that perception may not be reality. A recent survey found that despite its availability, over 85% of small business owners have not received aid.

The survey was conducted by Fundera, an organization that provides small businesses with the answers that they need regarding financial resources. In analyzing the various programs that have been offered to small businesses in this most challenging of years, the company found a mixed bag in terms of companies taking advantage of what was available. The Paycheck Protection Program and other government sponsored grants and relief programs were available, but despite their struggles most businesses did not even apply, whether it was for help with payroll, rent, or any other expenses. 

Most Small Businesses Opted out of COVID Aid

There are many reasons why the majority of small businesses chose not to access the financial assistance that state and local programs offered, but lack of funding was not one of them. In fact, state and local financial aid programs specifically for small businesses were available in at least 24 states and the District of Columbia. The Fundera survey asked small business owners for the reasons that they had not gotten involved in the government programs, and 23% of respondents indicated that the terms of aid were too murky for them. Roughly 21% indicated a distaste for getting into further debt, and 13% expressed a general “distrust of government-backed financial programs." 

Business Owners Express Frustration and Sense of Abandonment

Despite the availability of funding and their own decision not to take advantage of them, the small business owners that participated in the survey expressed a sense of being left out and abandoned. Said one, “I would love a grant or loan, but the only options my state gave were for brick-and-mortar businesses. They wouldn’t even consider mobile or online businesses.”

The truth is that more than 50 percent of those that decided to pursue support were approved for it, and one third ended up taking the funds. Among those accepting support, 8% applied their loans to rent relief and 5% applied the grants to alleviating their tax burden in the face of the shutdown’s challenges.

There are many important takeaways from the Fundera survey, but perhaps the most important of all is that businesses need to make sure that they stay current on the help that is available and make sure that they understand all of its advantages. Local government and relief agencies could also improve their communications regarding their terms to make them less intimidating to those who are experiencing financial stress.

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Sonu Shukla

Sonu Shukla

Sonu Shukla is a CPA, accountant, and tax preparer based in Orlando, FL. Sonu Shukla can assist you with your tax preparation and planning needs. Sonu is more than just another accountant in Orlando, Florida; he is a small business owner himself. It is a position in life that grants him the perspective and insight to emphasize with his clients, bringing them the best service possible. A Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner, Sonu possesses the skills, education and experience to demonstrate unerring business acumen and passionately planned financial strategies. Being proactive is key for Sonu, tailoring highly efficient tax plans for his small business clients, all in a one on one environment where he and the client can bounce ideas around until every detail is worked out.

SONU SHUKLA, CPA, P.A.
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