Business funding
Business Funding Documents Checklist: What to Have Ready Before You Apply
The documents lenders commonly ask for when a small business applies for a loan, line of credit or equipment financing, and how to prepare them so nothing slows you down.
Why it matters
Delays and declines often come down to paperwork: a missing month, a name that does not match, an out-of-date tax return. Every lender sets its own list, and SBA-backed loans usually ask for more (SBA: loans). The list below covers what is commonly requested.
The core folder
- Business bank statements: the most recent months, all pages, in the business's name
- Business tax returns: usually the last two years filed
- Personal tax returns for each owner, often the last two years
- Year-to-date profit and loss statement and, if you have one, a balance sheet
- Business registration (articles of organisation or incorporation) and any DBA filing
- EIN confirmation from the IRS (IRS: employer identification number)
- Government photo ID for each owner
- Voided business check or bank letter for deposits
- Business lease or proof of address, if asked
Free funding check
Tell celerfunding.com what the money is for. We will say which types of business funding may fit and what to fix first. We are not a lender and never charge you a fee.
Extras for specific products
| Product | Often also asked for |
|---|---|
| Equipment financing | Seller's quote or invoice for the equipment |
| Line of credit | Accounts receivable list, recent statements |
| Commercial real estate | Purchase contract, property details |
| SBA-backed loan | SBA forms, business plan, debt schedule |
Make every document agree
- The legal business name and address should match on registration, bank statements, tax returns and the application.
- Revenue on the application should be in line with deposits on your bank statements.
- If something looks odd (a one-off large deposit, a slow season), write one sentence explaining it.
Keep it safe
These files hold sensitive personal and business information. Share them only through the lender's secure portal or a secure link, never as open email attachments, and only after you have checked who you are dealing with.
Go deeper
Already past the basics? celerfunding.com's guide to the documents lenders need goes product by product, for the US and Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a business plan to get funding?
Not always. Many working-capital products do not ask for one; SBA loans and start-up funding often do.
Can I apply without tax returns?
Some products rely mainly on bank statements, but they often cost more. Having recent returns filed widens your options.
Why do lenders want personal tax returns for a business loan?
Owners of small businesses are often asked to guarantee the funding personally, so lenders look at the owner's finances as well as the business's.
celerfunding.com is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. We refer businesses to independent third-party lenders and funding companies, which may pay us a referral fee. We never charge you a fee. All financing is subject to the lender's own approval, terms and pricing. Business (commercial) financing only. General information, not financial, tax or legal advice.