SBA loan basics
Short answer
Yes, eligible closing costs, including attorney fees, lender's packaging fees, appraisal costs, and environmental report fees, can typically be included in the total project costs financed by an SBA 7(a) loan.
The SBA allows reasonable and customary closing costs to be financed as part of the total loan amount. These costs must be directly related to the loan transaction and properly documented. This helps borrowers avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses at closing beyond their equity injection.
A $450,000 business acquisition loan has $15,000 in closing costs (legal, appraisal, environmental). The SBA 7(a) loan can be for $465,000, covering both the purchase price and these associated closing expenses.
Insider move
Lenders review all proposed closing costs to ensure they are reasonable, customary, and eligible under SBA rules. They provide a detailed breakdown of these costs to the borrower and ensure proper documentation for each expense.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
7(a) Loan Program — Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility
U.S. Small Business Administration · Official SBA source
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Last checked 2026-06-14. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-14. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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