{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-gift-funds-from-a-non-u-s-relative-count-towards-my-sba-7-a-down-payment","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/can-gift-funds-from-a-non-u-s-relative-count-towards-my-sba-7-a-down-payment","question":"Can gift funds from a non-U.S. relative count towards my SBA 7(a) down payment?","topic":"Down payment & Equity","audience":"new","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"Yes, gift funds from a non-U.S. relative can count towards your equity injection, provided they are properly documented, unconditional, and the funds are legally transferred and verifiable.","rule":"The SBA permits gifts for equity injection, including from non-U.S. relatives, as long as the gift is unconditional, without any expectation of repayment, and the source of funds can be clearly verified. Lenders will require a gift letter and full traceability of the funds to ensure they are genuinely at-risk capital.","example":"Your aunt in another country gifts you $40,000 for your business purchase. You would need to provide a translated gift letter, proof of the funds originating from her account, and evidence of the legal transfer to your U.S. account.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders scrutinize foreign gift funds more closely to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and to verify the legitimate source and unconditional nature of the gift. Documentation from foreign sources must be clear and acceptable.","required_facts":["Non-U.S. relative","Unconditional gift","Fund traceability","Legal transfer","Source verification"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can I use funds from a friend as equity for my SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-i-use-funds-from-a-friend-as-equity-for-my-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What is the minimum equity injection (down payment) for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-minimum-equity-injection-down-payment-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can I use a gift from my parents for my SBA 7(a) loan down payment?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-i-use-a-gift-from-my-parents-for-my-sba-7-a-loan-down-payment"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Gift funds","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/gift-funds"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) program","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-program"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan"},{"term":"U.S. non-citizen national","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/u-s-non-citizen-national"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) Loan Program","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan-program"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) loan guaranty","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan-guaranty"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-gift-funds-from-a-non-u-s-relative-count-towards-my-sba-7-a-down-payment","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}