Guides for owners
The SBA document checklist. The complete version.
SBA files don't stall because the agency is slow. They stall because documents arrive one at a time over six weeks. Gather everything once, before anyone asks.
Identity & structure
- Driver's licenses for all owners of 20% or more
- Articles of organization / incorporation
- Operating agreement or bylaws
- EIN letter (IRS CP 575 or 147C)
Business financials
- Last 3 years of business tax returns
- Current-year interim P&L and balance sheet, dated within 90 days
- Accounts receivable and accounts payable aging reports
Personal financials (each 20%+ owner)
- Last 3 years of personal tax returns
- Personal financial statement — SBA Form 413
Banking & debt
- Last 3–6 months of business bank statements
- Schedule of existing business debt: lender, balance, payment, rate, collateral
Use of funds
- Quotes, purchase agreements, or contractor bids as applicable
- For acquisitions: the target's 3 years of returns, interim financials, asset list, and the purchase agreement or LOI
- For real estate: purchase contract or current mortgage statements (the lender orders the appraisal)
Most owners have 80% of this within arm's reach. Our packaging team assembles
the rest with you on a single call, then the lender gets a complete file on day
one. That's most of the difference between our timelines and the horror stories.
Three document mistakes that cost weeks
- Name mismatches. The returns say "Acme LLC," the bank account says "Acme Holdings LLC." Explain it before the underwriter finds it.
- Unsigned returns. E-filed returns need the signature page or the e-file authorization attached.
- Stale interims. A P&L from five months ago triggers a re-request late in underwriting, at the worst possible moment.