Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
A legal claim by the IRS or state/local government against a person or business's assets due to unpaid taxes. This can block an SBA loan closing.
An Active Tax Lien, whether personal or business, must be paid off or formally subordinated by the government agency before an SBA loan can close. Lenders will discover these during their lien searches. If a seller has one, make its resolution a condition of closing; if you have one, resolve it immediately.
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
Know what you'll need before you apply
Tell us about the deal and who's buying — we'll flag the guaranty, eligibility, and paperwork issues that slow SBA approval before they cost you time.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day