The Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act, Division N, Title IV, Subtitle B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, authorizes the Department of the Treasury to provide grants to eligible motorcoach companies, school bus companies, passenger vessel companies, and pilotage companies (Recipients) that have experienced annual revenue losses of 25% or more as a result of COVID-19. Recipients must generally prioritize the use the grants for payroll costs, though grants may be used for certain operating expenses (including the acquisition of services and equipment needed to protect workers and customers from COVID-19) and the repayment of debt accrued to maintain payroll. Funds not used for eligible activities within one year of receipt of the grant must be returned to the Treasury Department. Additional non-Federal income tax information on the CERTS Act grant program can be found at the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Program webpage. Q1. Is the receipt of a CERTS Act grant taxable to the Recipient under the Internal Revenue Code (Code)? (added July 6, 2021) A. Yes. The receipt of a CERTS Act grant is not excluded from the Recipient's gross income under the Code and therefore is taxable. Q2. When a Recipient uses the funds received from the CERTS Act grant program for eligible activities, such as for certain payroll costs and for the acquisition of services and equipment needed to protect workers and customers from COVID-19, are all of those expenses deductible under the Code? (added July 6, 2021) A. Yes, to the extent the costs are otherwise deductible under the Code. The Code generally permits the payment of wages, salaries, and benefits to employees and other amounts paid to carry on a trade or business to be deducted as ordinary and necessary business expenses.
