Can a Business Loan be Forgiven if the Business Fails?
Discover key factors regarding business loan repayment obligations after a business failure. Explore SBA loan forgiveness options and consult with Protect Law Group.
For instance, if you are applying for an FHA loan, that is, a loan backed by the United States government, your lender will access the CAIVRS system to determine your eligibility. If you have a prior default on an FHA loan or other federal debt, such as an SBA loan or a school loan, more than likely you will show up on CAIVRS and may lose your opportunity to obtain the credit you are seeking. As such, it can be very important to know this information and how to deal with a report on CAIVRS.
FHA CAIVRS Exception
Lenders must use CAIVRS to screen all borrowers , including nonprofit agencies acting as borrowers. You are not eligible for Federally-related credit if CAIVRS indicates that you are presently delinquent on a Federal debt, or have had a claim paid by a federal agency based on a debt you incurred such as a foreclosure or an SBA loan default. For FHA loans, a claim will affect you if such a claim has been paid within the previous three years on a loan made and insured on your behalf by HUD
A debt is in "delinquent status" for purposes of CAIVRS reporting if the debt has not been paid within 90 days of the payment due date. The payment due date is the date specified in the creditor agency's initial written demand for payment or applicable agreement or instrument (including a post-delinquency repayment agreement).
Each federal agency may have its own exceptions to CAIVRS reporting. For instance, FHA-insured mortgages have certain exceptions for divorce, bankruptcy, or case in which a subsequent assuming party defaulted.
You can apply for a CAIVRS waiver from the government agency that you are applying for credit. That is, if you are apply for an SBA backed business loan, but had a CAIVRS claim pay by HUD, you will have to request a CAIVRS waiver from the SBA, not HUD.
A waiver can only be granted by the head of a government agency or the chief financial officer. Your CAIVRS waiver request must meet certain guidelines and provide the requisite information prescribed by Federal law.
If you are dealing with a CAIVRS reporting issue, assertive legal counsel versed in Federal debt workouts can be a great asset. You may have other avenues for eliminating your CAIVRS claim reporting in addition to a waiver request. Protect Law Group focuses on Federal debt issues, including CAIVRS claim reporting issues and waiver requests. Contact one of our Federal debt workout attorneys today for a case evaluation at 1-888-756-9969.
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’s ureau 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's small business obtained an SBA COVID EIDL for $301,000 pledging collateral by executing the Note, Unconditional Guarantee and Security Agreement. The business defaulted on the loan and the SBA CESC called the Note and Guarantee, accelerated the principal balance due, accrued interest and retracted the 30-year term schedule.
The loan was transferred to the Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service which resulted in the statutory addition of $90,000+ in administrative fees, costs, penalties and interest with the total debt now at $391.000+. Treasury also initiated a Treasury Offset Program (TOP) levy against the client's federal contractor payments for the full amount each month - intercepting all of its revenue and pushing the business to the brink of bankruptcy.
The Firm was hired to investigate and find an alternate solution to the bankruptcy option. After submitting formal production requests for all government records, it was discovered that the SBA failed to send the required Official 60-Day Pre-Referral Notice to the borrower and guarantor prior to referring the debt to Treasury. This procedural due process violation served as the basis to submit a Cross-Servicing Dispute to recall the debt from Treasury back to the SBA and to negotiate a reinstatement of the original 30-year maturity date, a modified workout, cessation of the TOP levy against the federal contractor payments and removal of the $90,000+ Treasury-based collection fees, interest and penalties.
Our firm successfully assisted a client in closing an SBA Disaster Loan tied to a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The borrower obtained an EIDL loan of $153,800, but due to the prolonged economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business was unable to recover and ultimately closed.
As part of the business closure review and audit, we worked closely with the SBA to negotiate a resolution. The borrower was required to pay only $1,625 to release the remaining collateral, effectively closing the matter without further financial liability for the owner/officer.
This case highlights the importance of strategic negotiations when dealing with SBA settlements, particularly for businesses that have shut down due to unforeseen economic challenges. If you or your business are struggling with SBA loan debt, we focus on SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) solutions to help settle outstanding obligations efficiently.
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