CEBA Loan Repayment Deadline – What Can Small Buisinesses Do?

The Canada Emergency Bank Account (CEBA) loan repayment deadline is set for January 18, 2024. The CEBA program provided up to $60,000 in interest-free loans to small businesses and non-profits across Canada to help them navigate the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government loaned out $49 billion in CEBA funds to nearly 900,000 businesses. If businesses repay the majority of the loan by the deadline, up to $20,000 will be forgiven. Businesses unable to make the payments by the deadline will have until 2026 to repay the amount, but a 5% interest applies over the next three years[1][3][4][7][9][12].

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that there will be no extension on the deadline to repay CEBA loans, despite requests from organizations like Restaurants Canada and the St. John’s Board of Trade for a two-year extension[3]. This has raised concerns about potential bankruptcies, particularly among businesses in the hospitality industry that have struggled to recover from the pandemic[1][3][4][7][9][12].

According to a survey by the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, up to a quarter of local businesses that responded will have difficulty repaying those loans. The CEO of the chamber, Rakesh Naidu, expressed concern about the remaining 25% of businesses that have not recovered from the pandemic slump and are not yet back on their feet[7]. Similarly, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has been receiving calls from panicked small business owners who are struggling to repay their loans[12].

The repayment deadline could have significant implications for Canada’s economy. The CFIB has warned that thousands of Canadian businesses could be on the brink of closure due to the upcoming repayment deadline[12]. The Bank of Canada has also reported shaky confidence in the economy among small businesses and consumers at the start of the year[1].

However, the Department of Finance has highlighted the flexibility of the CEBA program. Katherine Cuplinskas, spokesperson for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, stated that if a small business owner does not currently have the funds to repay their CEBA loan, they now have three years to repay it in full[1][4].

We are keeping our eyes peeled on both the CRA and the media for updates for small business owners. Be sure to join the CRAStories community for support, advice and help dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Citations:
[1] https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/fears-of-bankruptcy-as-small-businesses-stare-down-federal-ceba-loan-deadline-1.6728113
[2] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canada-stuck-in-population-trap-needs-to-reduce-immigration-bank/
[3] https://vocm.com/2024/01/16/ceba-repayments-trudeau/
[4] https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/covid-loan-deadline-threatens-business-survival-north-van-chamber-warns-8113398
[5] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/international-business/article-as-davos-crowd-gathers-governments-urged-to-rein-in-billionaire-class/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc6dMCXRd7g
[7] https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/many-windsor-businesses-still-struggling-as-covid-loan-deadline-looms
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noIXMwth4JI
[9] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ceba-brandon-repayment-1.7076372
[10] https://ca.news.yahoo.com/fraudster-avoids-prison-halifax-judge-135537596.html
[11] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/international-business/article-chinas-military-and-government-acquire-nvidia-chips-despite-us-ban/
[12] https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2024/01/thousands-of-small-businesses-in-canada-on-the-brink-with-ceba-repayment-deadline-due-this-week-video-interview/
[13] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-denmarks-king-frederik-x-takes-the-throne-as-his-mother-steps-down/
[14] https://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/news/small-businesses-still-facing-difficulties-ahead-of-ceba-loan-repayment-deadline-1.21325017
[15] https://globalnews.ca/video/10203202/small-businesses-push-to-extend-ceba-loan-repayment-deadline
[16] https://morinvillenews.com/2023/11/15/cfib-calls-for-extension-on-ceba-loans-as-january-18-deadline-looms/
[17] https://discovermoosejaw.com/articles/mj-chamber-reminds-businesses-ceba-deadline-is-jan-18th