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Is There a Statute of Limitations on SBA Loans?

Yes, there is a statute of limitations that applies to defaulted SBA loans. But the government can still collect from you.

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Is There a Statute of Limitations on SBA Loans?

Yes, there is a statute of limitations that applies to defaulted SBA loans.  But the government can still collect from you.

Statute of limitations for SBA loan

The Federal Government is Limited to a 6 Year Statute of Limitations on Defaulted SBA Loans

When your business obtains an SBA loan, you sign a personal guarantee, which means that you agree to be personally liable for the debt of your business should it default.

The law specifically states that every action for money damages brought by the United States or an officer or agency thereof which is founded upon any contract express or implied in law or fact, shall be barred unless the complaint is filed within six years after the right of action accrues or within one year after final decisions have been rendered.

Therefore, if the government fails to bring suit against you within 6 years from the date its right to sue for breach of contract starts, it cannot sue you for the debt.

However, the Government Can Still Collect From You Through "Offset"

Unless Congress explicitly provides for a limitations period, federal agencies, including the SBA, will not be time barred from collecting their debts through any means, including offset. In general, there is no

statute of limitations for offset.   Offset is the process where the government takes all or some of payments you receive from it.

Even when a statute of limitations for pursuing a civil action has expired, the United States can still collect via offset.  Therefore, the SBA can collect against you by taking your tax refund or part of your Social Security, disability, military pension and other government benefits.  Moreover, the SBA can take the full amount of some other payments such as travel reimbursements from the government, rent from a government rented building you own, etc.  If you are a federal employee, you may have up to 15% of your pay offset.

The Government Can Also Garnish Your Wages

Administrative wage garnishment (AWG) is a process in which a federal agency may collect delinquent SBA debt by garnishing the wages of a delinquent debtor without first obtaining a court order.  You do have an opportunity for a hearing and to present evidence.

But, as with the offsets addressed above, no statute of limitations exists to prohibit the government from garnishing your wages. Even if state law provides for a limitations period, it does not apply to the federal government. This means even if you defaulted on your SBA loan 10 years ago, the government can still garnish your wages.

You Have Options Available With Your SBA Loan

Protect Law Group can provide you with options to deal with an SBA loan default before the government sues or otherwise tries to take your hard earned money.  An offer in compromise, where you pay a fraction of the debt as a settlement, or a payment plan may provide available options.

Contact Protect Law Group Today If You Are Facing an SBA Debt

Don't let the federal government take your money.  Our experienced and aggressive attorneys can provide you with solutions to your SBA loan default problem.  Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation.

Why Hire Us to Help You with Your Treasury or SBA Debt Problems?

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Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure

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Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements

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Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN – NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN – NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Client’s small business obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000.  He and his wife signed personal guarantees and pledged their home as collateral. The SBA loan went into default, the term or maturity date was accelerated and demand for payment of the entire amount claimed was made.  The SBA lender’s note gave it the right to adjust the default interest rate from 7.25% to 18% per annum. The business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but was dismissed after 3 years due to its inability to continue with payments under the plan. Clients wanted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which would have been a mistake as their home had significant equity to repay the SBA loan balance in full as the Trustee would likely seize and sell the home to repay the secured and unsecured creditors. However, the SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection to the SBA. Clients then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and hired the Firm to respond to it and negotiate on their behalf. Clients disputed the SBA’s alleged balance of $148,000, as several payments made to the SBA lender during the Chapter 11 reorganization were not accounted for. To challenge the SBA’s claimed debt balance, the Firm Attorneys initiated expedited discovery to obtain government records. SBA records disclosed the true amount owed was about $97,000. Moreover, because the Clients’ home had significant equity, they were not eligible for an Offer in Compromise or an immediate Release of Lien for Consideration, despite being incorrectly advised by non-attorney consulting companies that they were. Instead, our Firm Attorneys recommended a Workout of $97,000 spread over a lengthy term and a waiver of the applicable interest rate making the monthly payment affordable. After back and forth negotiations, SBA approved the Workout proposal, thereby saving the home from imminent foreclosure and reducing the Clients' liability by nearly $81,000 in incorrect principal balance, accrued interest, and statutory collection fees.

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED STRUCTURED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$150,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED STRUCTURED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. COVID-19 caused the business to fail, and the loan went into default with a balance of $133,000. Client initially hired a non-attorney consultant to negotiate an OIC. The SBA summarily rejected the ineligible OIC and the debt was referred to Treasury’sBureau of Fiscal Service for enforced collection in the debt amount of $195,000. We were hired to intervene and initiated discovery for SBA and Fiscal Service records. We were able to recall the case from Fiscal Service back to the SBA. We then negotiated a structured workout with favorable terms that saves the client approximately $198,000 over the agreed-upon workout term by waiving contractual and statutory administrative fees, collection costs, penalties, and interest.

$220,000 SBA 7A LOAN -DOT WAIVER OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES & COSTS

$220,000 SBA 7A LOAN -DOT WAIVER OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES & COSTS

Clients personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan that was referred to the Department of Treasury for collection.  Treasury claimed our clients owed over $220,000 once it added its statutory collection fees and interest.  We were able to negotiate a significant reduction of the total claimed amount from $220,000 to $119,000, saving the clients over $100,000 by arguing for a waiver of the statutory 28%-30% administrative fees and costs.

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