Yes, there is a statute of limitations that applies to defaulted SBA loans. But the government can still collect from you.
Book a Consultation CallStatute of limitations for SBA loan
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Client personally guaranteed SBA 504 loan balance of $375,000. Debt had been cross-referred to Treasury at the time we got involved with the case. We successfully had debt recalled to the SBA where we then presented an SBA OIC that was accepted for $58,000.
Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $350,000. The small business failed but because of the personal guarantee liability, the client continued to pay the monthly principal & interest out-of-pocket draining his savings. Client hired a local attorney but quickly realized that he was not familiar with SBA-backed loans or their standard operating procedures. Our firm was subsequently hired after the client received the SBA's official 60-day notice. After back-and-forth negotiations, we were able to convince the SBA to reinstate the loan, retract the acceleration of the outstanding balance, modify the original terms, and approve a structured workout reducing the interest rate from 7.75% to 0% and extending the maturity date for a longer period to make the monthly payments affordable. In conclusion, not only we were able to help the client avoid litigation and bankruptcy, but we also save him approximately $227,945 over the term of the workout.
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