SBA loan basics
Short answer
You'll generally need personal and business financial statements, tax returns, a business plan, legal documents for your business, and personal identification. Your lender will provide a detailed checklist.
A comprehensive application package typically includes personal financial statements (SBA Form 413), personal and business tax returns for the past three years, interim financial statements, a detailed business plan, projections, articles of incorporation/organization, business licenses, and owner résumés. The lender uses these to assess eligibility and creditworthiness.
For a loan application, a borrower would submit their last three years of personal and business tax returns, a balance sheet and profit & loss statement for the business, a statement of personal history (SBA Form 1919), and a written description of how the loan funds will be used.
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
SBA Form 1919 - Borrower Information Form
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. 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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