SBA loan documentation checklist
The SBA forms, financial statements and legal documents lenders ask for, organized by loan purpose.
Most SBA loan delays come from missing paperwork, not credit. Have the items below ready before you call a lender and you can cut weeks off approval. Requirements vary by lender and loan size; SBA Express and small 7(a) loans need less.
SBA forms
| Form | Who fills it out | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| SBA Form 1919 (Borrower Information Form) | The business and each owner of 20% or more | Ownership, the loan request, eligibility questions, criminal history and federal debt |
| SBA Form 413 (Personal Financial Statement) | Each owner of 20% or more, and spouses in some cases | Personal assets, liabilities, income and contingent debts |
| SBA Form 912 (if asked) | Owners with certain criminal history | Statement of personal history; many lenders no longer require it |
| IRS Form 4506-C | The business and owners | Lets the lender verify your tax returns with the IRS |
| SBA Form 1244 (504 loans) | The business, through the CDC | The 504 application |
Financial documents
- Business federal tax returns for the last three years (two is enough for some lenders).
- Personal federal tax returns for each 20%+ owner for the last three years.
- Year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet, dated within 90 days.
- Business debt schedule: every loan, lease and line of credit with lender, balance, payment, rate and maturity.
- Accounts receivable and payable agings, for businesses that sell on credit.
- Recent business bank statements (lenders often ask for 3 to 12 months).
Business and legal documents
- Articles of incorporation or organization, operating agreement or bylaws, and certificate of good standing.
- Business licenses and permits, including industry licenses (liquor, medical, contractor, CDL).
- Your lease, or a letter of intent from the landlord. The lease should run at least as long as the loan term, including options.
- Franchise agreement and FDD, if you're a franchise. The brand should be on the SBA Franchise Directory.
- Resumes for each owner and key manager, showing relevant experience.
Extra documents by loan purpose
| If you are... | Also prepare |
|---|---|
| Buying a business | Purchase agreement or LOI, the seller's last three years of tax returns and interim financials, list of assets included, and any seller note terms |
| Starting a business | Business plan with monthly projections for year one and annual for years two and three, source of your equity injection, and market research |
| Buying or building real estate | Purchase contract, construction budget and contractor bids, and the property address for appraisal and environmental review |
| Buying equipment | Vendor quotes or invoices with model numbers |
| Refinancing debt | Original note and statements for the debt being refinanced, showing payment history |
Tips that speed up approval
- Write a one-page loan request: how much, what for, how you'll repay, and what collateral you have.
- Explain anything unusual up front: a down year, a credit issue, a gap in tax filings.
- Document your equity injection: bank statements showing the cash has been in your account (lenders often ask for two months of history), or gift letters.
- Send everything as clearly named PDFs in one batch.
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Get matched with an SBA lender
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Questions
How many years of tax returns do I need for an SBA loan?
Most lenders ask for three years of business and personal federal returns. Some accept two for smaller loans, and start-ups provide personal returns plus projections instead.
What is SBA Form 1919?
The Borrower Information Form. The business and every owner of 20% or more complete it. It covers ownership, the loan request and eligibility questions such as federal debt and criminal history.
What is SBA Form 413?
The Personal Financial Statement. Each owner of 20% or more lists personal assets, liabilities and income so the lender can assess personal guarantees and liquidity.
How long does SBA loan approval take?
With a complete file, SBA Express loans can be approved in days and standard 7(a) loans from Preferred Lenders in a few weeks. Real estate and 504 loans often take 45 to 90 days to close because of appraisals and environmental reviews.
Sources: SBA 7(a) terms, conditions and maximum variable rates; Federal Reserve H.15 selected interest rates (bank prime loan rate); November 2026 SBA 504 debenture pricing, as published by CDCs; SBA FOIA 7(a) and 504 loan-level data.