Paycheck Protection Program

Whether you’re a sole proprietor, self-employed, a small business owner with employees, or an independent contractor, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offers low-interest loans that may be 100% forgiven.

While the second round of PPP was scheduled to run through May 31, 2021, we’ve been notified by the SBA that funding has nearly run out. As such, we stopped accepting new loan applications at the end of the day on May 4, 2021.

Paycheck Protection Program and Square Capital at a glance

Who can apply

  • If this is your second PPP loan
    Sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed persons, and small businesses with up to 300 employees in operation at least since February 15, 2020, who experienced at least a 25% decrease in revenue in a quarter in 2020 relative to a quarter in 2019 (or the full year of 2020 relative to 2019), and who have already used or will use the full amount of their first PPP loan, are eligible to apply. See here for information on how to calculate a revenue decline.

  • If this is your first PPP loan
    Sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed persons, and small businesses with up to 500 employees in operation at least since February 15, 2020.

Amounts up to $2 million

If this is your second PPP loan, and your business is not a restaurant or hotel, get up to 2.5x or 250% of your 2019 or 2020 average monthly payroll expenses (or average monthly net profit for non-employers). If your business is a restaurant or hotel, get up to 3.5x or 350% of your 2019 or 2020 average monthly payroll expenses (or average monthly net profit for non-employers).

If this is your first PPP loan, the PPP loan amount will be equal to your 2019 or 2020 average monthly payroll (excluding payroll costs over $100,000) x 2.5.

100% forgiveness

You can apply for full or partial loan forgiveness.* Full forgiveness can be approved if:

  • Your entire loan is used toward qualifying costs, and at least 60% of the loan is used for qualifying payroll costs.
  • If your loan is equal to or under $150,000, you can qualify for forgiveness if you can attest that your business complied with program requirements.

5-year repayment term

You will have five years from the date your loan was deposited to repay any amount not forgiven. All loan payments are deferred until your loan forgiveness decision date (or until about 16 months after receiving your loan if you don’t apply for forgiveness). Interest will accrue during this time.

1% fixed interest rate

Low, fixed annual interest rate on any loan amount not forgiven.

*In order to apply for loan forgiveness, you’ll need to document how you use the loan. Loan forgiveness does not happen automatically. Check our PPP forgiveness page for updates.

How can these funds be used?

  • Payroll costs (salary, wages, commission, tips)
  • Employee benefits (healthcare and retirement benefits)
  • Mortgage interest payments (not including payments on the mortgage principal)
  • Property damage caused by public disturbances in 2020
  • Operations costs (software or cloud computing service)
  • Worker protection expenses (masks, plexiglass shields, gloves, and more)
  • Supplier costs
  • Rent
  • Utilities



Loans used to cover these costs are eligible for forgiveness, if at least 60% of the loan is used toward qualifying payroll costs and the rest of the loan is used toward the other uses listed here. Any funds going toward non-covered expenses will not be forgiven.

For more information on loan forgiveness, check out our PPP Forgiveness Page or visit the SBA’s PPP website.

Start preparing to apply

Preparing your 2019 or 2020 taxes or getting a payroll report from your payroll provider (if you have one) are the best things you can do ahead of time.

If you don’t have employees, you’ll need to have a prepared 2019 or 2020 1040 Schedule C form to upload (your taxes don’t have to be filed yet). Whether you apply through Square Capital or with another lender, you’ll need the same documents and information.

If you are applying for a second PPP loan, your business needs to have experienced at least a 25% decline in revenue in a quarter in 2020 relative to the same quarter in 2019

This can be calculated on a quarterly basis using quarterly financial statements or bank statements, or on an annual basis using tax forms for the full year 2020. See here for information on how to calculate this decline.

Please note:

Make sure any numbers you enter in the application match your supporting documents exactly. It’s also important to upload the exact documents required during the application process. Incorrect documents could result in a delay of your application. For the most up-to-date requirements, visit the SBA website.

Determine if you are an employer or non-employer

You are an employer if you filed a W-2 for at least one employee including yourself. You are a non-employer if your business didn’t file a W-2 for any employee including yourself.

Calculate your average monthly payroll or income

If you’re an employer, it’s payroll. Non-employers will calculate net profit.

Organize business and personal information

You’ll need things like your government ID, SSN, and EIN to complete the application.

Verify your business was operational on February 15, 2020

The PPP does not apply to businesses started after this date.

Confirm if you had employees on February 15, 2020

If you don’t employ anyone, your requirements will be different. Either way, the SBA needs to see documentation.

What to expect from Square Capital

We’ve designed an easy, intuitive application experience:

  1. We’ll reach out via email and your Square Dashboard if you’re eligible to apply. Then you can complete the PPP loan application on your Square Dashboard.

  2. Applications will then be reviewed by Square Capital. Next, the Small Business Administration (SBA) reviews applications on their own timeline.

  3. If your application is approved by the SBA, funds will then be deposited into your linked bank account in 1 to 10 calendar days after SBA approval.

Frequently asked questions

  • What’s the deadline to apply?

    Under the new law, the program is set to end May 31, 2021. All applications must be submitted to the SBA by that date.

  • Can I apply for a PPP loan with more than one lender?

    Yes, you can apply with more than one lender for a PPP loan, but you can only be approved for one PPP loan. Also, if you’ve previously received a PPP loan, you can either apply through the same lender or a different participating lender.

  • Can I receive a PPP loan and a loan through Square Capital?

    Yes. PPP loans are administered through the SBA and are not associated with the business loan program offered to Square sellers through Square Capital. Eligibility for a loan offer through Square Capital will not impact your eligibility to receive a PPP loan.

  • How is my PPP loan amount calculated?

    The SBA has issued specific instructions for how all PPP lenders must calculate the loan amount.

    If this is your second PPP loan, and your business is not a restaurant or hotel, the PPP loan amount will be equal to your 2019 or 2020 average monthly payroll (excluding payroll costs over $100,000) x 2.5. For businesses that are restaurants or hotels, the PPP loan amount will be equal to your 2019 or 2020 average monthly payroll (excluding payroll costs over $100,000) x 3.5.

    If this is your first PPP loan, the PPP loan amount will be equal to your 2019 or 2020 average monthly payroll (excluding payroll costs over $100,000) x 2.5.

  • Can my PPP loan be forgiven in whole or in part?

    Yes. PPP loans (the full principal amount and any accrued interest) may be forgiven, meaning they don’t have to be repaid if you meet certain requirements. If you don’t apply for forgiveness, you’ll have to repay the loan.

  • How long does the PPP application review process take?

    We will work to process your application as fast as we can. Processing times can depend on PPP application volume, internal SBA systems, and the completeness of all documentation you submit to support your loan application. We will notify you through email and your Square Dashboard once a credit decision has been made.

Square, the Square logo, Square Capital, and others are trademarks of Square, Inc. and/or Square Capital, LLC. Square Capital, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square, Inc., d/b/a Square Capital of California, LLC in FL, GA, MT, and NY. All loans are issued by Square Capital, LLC, a PPP lender licensed by the SBA. The individual authorized to act on behalf of the business must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old. Valid U.S. bank account and Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number are required. Eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program or any other loan product is not guaranteed. All loans, if offered, will be subject to approval and qualification under the program standards. Square Capital, LLC is a licensed servicer and debt collector with the following License Information.