A loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration can open a lot of doors for a business. They could use the funds to purchase real estate, equipment or even to finance their debts. Unfortunately, because this economy is still not completely back on track following the recent recession, it's quite possible a company will run into problems paying their SBA loan. Although it might be possible for a business owner to negotiate a settlement after they receive an SBA demand letter, it could be much easier to manage with the help of an attorney.
SBA loan default is a serious matter and each case is as different as every business that uses this loan program. Default could result in SBA loan foreclosure or seizure of business or even personal tax refunds through the Tax Offset Program. Neither of these options are going to be very appealing to a business owner who is struggling to keep their company afloat. The first step a business owner should take when they are faced with this situation is to find an attorney who has enough experience in this area to analyze each case individually and devise a solution that could benefit the business owner and the SBA.
Any business owner who has defaulted on an SBA loan can send an SBA Offer in Compromise to attempt to settle the debt. The SBA carefully evaluates each request for this type of loan forgiveness and if there are any errors, omissions or misrepresentations, the application is likely to be denied and the business owner will have to find another way to resolve the debt. Instead of going through this process alone, an entrepreneur might have a much better chance of success if they work with an attorney who has a proven track record.
This is not something business owners need to handle alone. Getting professional help is essential to having a favorable outcome in this complicated debt situation. Once an entrepreneur knows what they want to get out of the process, they should contact an attorney to give them the best chance of getting something close to that result.
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.
Clients obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $324,000 to buy a small business and its facility. The business and real estate had an appraisal value of $318,000 at the time of purchase. The business ultimately failed but the participating lender abandoned the business equipment and real estate collateral even though it had valid security liens. As a result, the lender recouped nearly nothing from the pledged collateral, leaving the business owners liable for the deficiency balance. The SBA paid the lender the 7(a) guaranty money and was assigned ownership of the debt, including the right to collect. However, the clients never received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and were denied the opportunity to negotiate an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or a Workout directly with the SBA before being transferred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service, which added an additional $80,000 in collection fees. Treasury garnished and offset the clients' wages, federal salary and social security benefits. When the clients tried to negotiate with Treasury by themselves, they were offered an unaffordable repayment plan which would have caused severe financial hardship. Clients subsequently hired the Firm to litigate an Appeals Petition before the SBA Office & Hearings Appeals (OHA) challenging the legal enforceability and amount of the debt. The Firm successfully negotiated a term OIC that was approved by the SBA Office of General Counsel, saving the clients approximately $205,000.
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.
Clients personally guaranteed an SBA 504 loan balance of $337,000. The Third Party Lender had obtained a Judgment against the clients. We represented clients before the SBA and negotiated an SBA OIC that was accepted for $30,000.
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