Managing Transactions under the Paycheck Protection Program in Zoho Books

Managing Transactions under the Paycheck Protection Program in Zoho Books

As you might know, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is an incentive provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for businesses affected by COVID-19 in the US. The PPP aims to provide funds for at least eight weeks in order to help businesses pay off all basic operating charges such as employee wages, rent, interest or other utilities and retain their workforce. Read more about the Paycheck Protection Program from our blog.


In case you have applied and qualified for this program, you will have to account for all the cash flowing in and out of your business. If you're using Zoho Books, the best way to manage it would be to record the fund received as a liability account, track transactions with reporting tags and generate reports. Here's a step by step account on how to do this:

1. Create a reporting tag


To start off, you will have to create a reporting tag with which you can associate all transactions concerning PPP. To create a new tag:
  • Go to Settings > Reporting Tags and create a new tag.
  • Enter a Name for the tag (say, PPP) and the Option Name (say, PPP Funds).
  • Save and proceed.



2. Record the fund received


As the fund received from the government is a liability unless it's forgiven, you will have to record the amount deposited under a liability account. You can create a new liability account from Chart of Accounts to keep a track of the amount received or spent. Let's call it the Paycheck Protection Program Loan account.



Once that's done, you can record the fund received:
  • Go to the Banking module and select the account in which you receive the fund.
  • Click the +Add Transaction drop-down and under Money In and select Deposit from Other Accounts.
  • Enter the details of the deposit and, in the From Account, choose the liability account (Paycheck Protection Program Loan) you had created.
  • Associate the tag PPP Funds and Save.


3. Manage operating expenses


Because it's necessary to submit detailed reports at the end of the eight weeks on what the fund was spent on, you will have to keep a track of all incurred expenses (particularly, if they are covered under the PPP). Remember, it is important to account for your expenses in order to qualify for forgiveness. To record them:

  • Go to Purchases > Expenses and create a new expense.
  • Enter the details of the expense and in the Paid Through account choose the bank account through which you received the fund.
  • Associate the tag PPP Funds and Save.


4. Generate reports


To get an overview of all the funds spent on expenses, you can run the Account Transactions report that's filtered by the PPP Funds tag. Here's how:

  • Go to Reports > Account Transactions report.
  • Select Customize Report and click + Add Filter under Advanced Filters.
  • Select Reporting Tags as the field, select a comparator and choose PPP Funds.


  • Add another filter by clicking +Add More. Then, select Account as the field, select a comparator and choose your bank account.
  • Click Run Report to view them.

Repayments and forgiveness


In case your business qualifies for forgiveness (completely or partially), you can transfer the fund amount from the Liability account to an Income account using a manual journal to reduce the liability.

If you have to repay the loan amount, the payments can be recorded as Expenses. Enter the details of the expense, choose the Expense Account as the liability account you created (Paycheck Protection Program Loan) and your Paid Through account will be your bank account.


Note: The Paycheck Protection Program is currently closed. However, the government is considering adding more funds to the program and might reopen the program if the bill is passed.

We understand that this is a stressful period for everyone and we are committed to serving you in these times. Should you have any questions, please reach out to us at support@zohobooks.com for any further assistance.

    Access your files securely from anywhere

        All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.







                              Zoho Developer Community




                                                    • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                    • Digest


                                                    • Functions


                                                    • Meetups


                                                    • Kbase


                                                    • Resources


                                                    • Glossary


                                                    • Desk Marketplace


                                                    • MVP Corner


                                                    • Word of the Day


                                                    • Ask the Experts





                                                              Manage your brands on social media



                                                                    Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                        Zoho CRM Plus Resources

                                                                          Zoho Books Resources


                                                                            Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                                                                              Zoho Projects Resources


                                                                                Zoho Sprints Resources


                                                                                  Qntrl Resources


                                                                                    Zoho Creator Resources



                                                                                        Zoho CRM Resources

                                                                                        • CRM Community Learning Series

                                                                                          CRM Community Learning Series


                                                                                        • Kaizen

                                                                                          Kaizen

                                                                                        • Functions

                                                                                          Functions

                                                                                        • Meetups

                                                                                          Meetups

                                                                                        • Kbase

                                                                                          Kbase

                                                                                        • Resources

                                                                                          Resources

                                                                                        • Digest

                                                                                          Digest

                                                                                        • CRM Marketplace

                                                                                          CRM Marketplace

                                                                                        • MVP Corner

                                                                                          MVP Corner









                                                                                            Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                            Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                            Get Started Now


                                                                                              Zoho Show Resources

                                                                                                Zoho Writer

                                                                                                Get Started. Write Away!

                                                                                                Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                                                                                                  Zoho CRM コンテンツ




                                                                                                    Nederlandse Hulpbronnen


                                                                                                        ご検討中の方




                                                                                                                • Recent Topics

                                                                                                                • 553 Relaying disallowed. Invalid Domain - gzkcompany.ro

                                                                                                                  Hi there, Can you please assist me in getting the right domain settings? I just renewed my domain subscription, after expired and i got error: 553 Relaying disallowed. Invalid Domain - gzkcompany.ro Zoho mail can receive emails, but its impossible to
                                                                                                                • Not able to receive emails for a while

                                                                                                                  I am not able to receive emails for a while now.
                                                                                                                • Confirmation requested: eligibility and process to downgrade to Forever Free — tenant bigbanghawking.com

                                                                                                                  Thank you for your reply. I am testing Zoho Mail from Brazil with the tenant bigbanghawking.com (endpoint: mail.zoho.com) and we are currently on the Premium trial that expires 21/01/2026. Before deciding whether to pay or cancel, I need written confirmation
                                                                                                                • Zoho API v2.0 - get ALL users from ALL projects

                                                                                                                  Hello,        I've been trying to work on an automatization project lately and I find it difficult to work with this strict structure. To be more explicit, if i would like to get all users participating in a project i would need to get all projects first.       Same thing with projects. If i want to get all projects, I would need to get all portals first.        The problem with this aproach is that it consumes a lot of time and resources.             I want to ask if there is another way of getting
                                                                                                                • الموقع لا يقوم بالسداد

                                                                                                                  السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته وبعد من أمس وانا احاول السداد للدومين YELLOWLIGHT ولا اتمكن من السداد اقوم بتعبئة جميع البيانات ولكن دون جدوى يطلع لى حدث خطأ ما
                                                                                                                • New in Office Integrator: Enhanced document navigation with captions and cross references

                                                                                                                  Hi users, We're pleased to introduce captions, table of tables and figures, and cross-references in the document editor in Zoho Office Integrator. This allows you to structure documents efficiently and simplify document navigation for your readers from
                                                                                                                • Where Do I set 24h time format in Cliq?

                                                                                                                  Where Do I set 24h time format? Thanks
                                                                                                                • 🎉 ¡Seguimos trayendo novedades a Español Zoho Community! 🎉 Confirmada la agenda y ubicación para los Workshops Certificados

                                                                                                                  Si todavía no te has hecho con tu entrada para nuestros Workshops Certificados del próximo 26 y 27 de marzo o, por el contrario, estabas esperando que confirmáramos dónde los celebraremos, ¡este post es para ti! 📍¿Dónde nos vemos?📍 Nuestros Workshops
                                                                                                                • User is already present in another account error in assigning users to marketing automation

                                                                                                                  Hello everyone Greeting, I had a problem in assigning user in marketing automation, when I try to add it I see this error: (User is already present in another account error) what should I do?
                                                                                                                • How do I get complete email addresses to show?

                                                                                                                  I opened a free personal Zoho email account and am concerned that when I enter an email address in the "To", "CC", fields, it changes to a simple first name. This might work well for most people however I do need to see the actual email addresses showing
                                                                                                                • What's New in Zoho POS - January 2026

                                                                                                                  Hello everyone, Welcome to Zoho POS’s monthly updates, where we share our latest feature updates, enhancements, events, and more. Let’s take a look at how January went. Sort and resolve conflicts Conflicts are issues that may arise when registers and
                                                                                                                • Outlook is blocking incoming mail

                                                                                                                  Outlook is blocking all emails sent from the Zoho server. ERROR CODE :550 - 5.7.1 Unfortunately, messages from [136.143.169.51] weren't sent. Please contact your Internet service provider since part of their network is on our block list (S3150). It looks
                                                                                                                • Not receiving email from customers and suppliers

                                                                                                                  I am getting error . most of the customers tell me not able to send me email please check i have attached screenshot
                                                                                                                • Create user

                                                                                                                  Hello I want to create user, but i get this error Unusual activity detected from this IP. Please try again after some time.
                                                                                                                • File emails in Shared email folder

                                                                                                                  Hi, I am unable to allow users to collaborate in Shared email folders: User 1 shares a folder let's say "SharedTopic" with full permissions Users 2 and 3 can see this folder but are unable to add emails to this folder or search in this folder. For example,
                                                                                                                • Consolidated report for multi-organisation

                                                                                                                  I'm hoping to see this feature to be available but couldn't locate in anywhere in the trial version. Is this supported? The main aim to go to ERP is to have visibility of the multi-organisation in once place. I'm hopeful for this.
                                                                                                                • How to Switch from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows

                                                                                                                  The most often used file formats for users to manage crucial data are OLM and PST files. PST files keep a copy of data on the configured system from Outlook, while the OLM file contains the Mac Outlook data items, which are only accessible with Outlook
                                                                                                                • Name autocomplete

                                                                                                                  Hi, During searching emails the web tool does not always propose the auto-completion of the saved emails. As a result I either have to go to contacts and look up the exact email, or the exact full name including the middle name and any dots, which is
                                                                                                                • Are custom portals accessible on the Zoho learn smartphone app?

                                                                                                                  In other words, can users external to my organisation, once signed up, use the app in the same way as internal users? Thanks
                                                                                                                • How to increase my Zoho sign limit.

                                                                                                                  I cannot send a document/contract for signature. Zoho sign says I reached my monthly limit. May I know how to fix this please? Thanks! 
                                                                                                                • Can not add m365 outlook account to zohomail.

                                                                                                                  I am attempting to use zoho mail as an imap client to add my outlook.com m365 account. In the m365 exchange admin center i have made sure the imap is enabled. In zoho mail i go to settings, mail accounts, add account, add imap account, i select "outlook",
                                                                                                                • Unable to attach Work Order / Service Appointment PDF to Email Notifications (Zoho FSM)

                                                                                                                  I’m trying to include the Work Order PDF or Service Appointment PDF as an attachment in Email Notifications (automation/notification templates), but I don’t see any option to attach these generated PDFs. Is this currently supported in Zoho FSM? If not,
                                                                                                                • local file csv import problem

                                                                                                                  The issue occurs when I upload a CSV file via Databridge. In the preview, everything looks correct — the values are in the proper columns. However, after clicking Import, the first column becomes empty, and the values from that column appear in a new
                                                                                                                • Función Deshacer y Rehacer

                                                                                                                  Hola. Soy un reciente usuario de Zoho Notebook que he migrado desde Evernote. He encontrado en falta una función que considero muy importante: un botón para "deshacer". Es frustrante cuando se borra un parte del texto o un archivo de una nota, generalmente
                                                                                                                • Tip #59- Technician Console: Exploring View option- 'Insider Insights'

                                                                                                                  Hello Zoho Assist Community! Ever wondered how technicians adapt quickly during a live support session? Imagine a customer reaching out with an issue that’s disrupting their work. The technician starts a remote session and begins troubleshooting right
                                                                                                                • MRP or Manufacturing Module for Zoho

                                                                                                                  We have been searching for options for a production planning or MRP that will integrate with Zoho.   Zoho Creator is pushed as a platform that can have an MRP built from scratch but we would like to find more of an out of the box solution and modify it to fit our needs.  Are there any recommendations? Would Zoho consider creating a custom solution in Creator to support this need?
                                                                                                                • encountering an error when attempting to associate an email with a Deal using the Zoho CRM extension in Zoho Mail.

                                                                                                                  When I click "Yes, associate," the system displays an "Oops!! Something went wrong" error message. I have attached a screenshot of the issue for reference.
                                                                                                                • Can 1 Zoho CRM instance sync with 2 Zoho Marketing Automation instances?

                                                                                                                  Can 1 Zoho CRM instance sync with 2 Zoho Marketing Automation instances?
                                                                                                                • Can I add Conditional merge tags on my Templates?

                                                                                                                  Hi I was wondering if I can use Conditional Mail Merge tags inside my Email templates/Quotes etc within the CRM? In spanish and in our business we use gender and academic degree salutations , ie: Dr., Dra., Sr., Srta., so the beginning of an email / letter
                                                                                                                • Zoho mail account ownership transfer

                                                                                                                  We recently took over another company and have assumed responsibility for its Zoho account, including Zoho Mail and all related services. We would like to formally transfer ownership of this account to our organization. Could you please outline the complete
                                                                                                                • Email Authentication is Failing

                                                                                                                  I'm trying to setup gitlab with email authentication. I used the following configs picked up from: https://docs.gitlab.com/omnibus/settings/smtp/ gitlab_rails['smtp_enable'] = true gitlab_rails['smtp_address'] = "smtp.zoho.com" gitlab_rails['smtp_port']
                                                                                                                • DMARC reports for mail I didn't send: how to deal with?

                                                                                                                  I know the enthusiastic amateur's bare minimum about e-mail; am able to set up a Thunderbird account and know the basic acronyms. I have a Zoho Mail account connected to my domain, and have set up SPF, DMARC and DKIM successfully according to Zoho's instruction
                                                                                                                • ms

                                                                                                                  Email set up for communication
                                                                                                                • Fix the speed

                                                                                                                  It takes ages to load on every step even though my dataset is quite small.
                                                                                                                • Capture Bank Charges for Invoice Payments

                                                                                                                  We've added the Bank Charges field in the "Add Payments" page both in Zoho Invoice & Zoho Books. So all you need to do is to enter the bank charges when you record a payment for the invoices. This bank charge will be included to the amount paid for that invoice. Steps to add the bank charges while you record the payment:       1. Click the "Invoices" sub-tab under the "Money-In" tab.       2. Click the 'add payment' link for the invoice that you wish to record the payment for.       3. On the add
                                                                                                                • Image field in custom module

                                                                                                                  Hi guy, Is there any hope of adding a custom image field in the custom module? We created a custom module to keep track of assets, and it would be helpful if we could attach an image to the record. Thanks Rudy
                                                                                                                • Deluge Function to Update Custom Field

                                                                                                                  I'm trying to get a Deluge function (which will run as part of a Schedule in Desk) that retrieves all tickets with the status "Recurring" and updates the custom field checkbox "cf_recurring" to "true". Here's what I have, which doesn't work: searchValue
                                                                                                                • "View ticket" link is broken

                                                                                                                  The "View ticket" link in our Zoho ticketing system confirmation emails is broken (please see attached). Impacts ability to update/review details, and, refresh recollection at a later date. Any help would be much appreciated.
                                                                                                                • import data from Apollo.ai into zoho crm via zoho flow

                                                                                                                  I might be asking this question in the wrong forum. We use Apollo.ai to find potential new leads for our business, there are around 10000 leads that we have initially found. We have an Apollo.ai account but just to do searches, we dont use it as a crm.
                                                                                                                • Woocommerce Line Item Information

                                                                                                                  I'd like to add each line item from a Woocommerce order to a zoho creator form record. The line items are found within the line items array, but I'm not sure how to get each item out of the array? Any help would be much appreciated.
                                                                                                                • Next Page