Business Tax Returns
What your business tax returns show the SBA, why two years are needed, and how to pull them quickly—even if your CPA’s busy.
WHY
The SBA uses your tax returns to verify that your business has steady, reliable income over time. They’re not just looking at your revenue—they’re looking for signs that your business is real, active, and in good standing.
They ask for two years so they can spot trends:
Did revenue go up or down? Are expenses in line?
This helps the bank feel confident saying yes—and helps prevent extra questions later.
What
Your last two years of federal business tax returns.
Depending on your business type, they’ll be one of these forms:
-
1120 – C Corporation
-
1120S – S Corporation
-
1065 – Partnership or LLC with multiple members
If your business is a sole proprietorship, this is usually Schedule C from your personal return.
No state returns needed—just federal.
How
-
Ask your CPA or accountant to email you a PDF
-
OR download them from your tax software (QuickBooks, TurboTax, etc.)
-
OR request a transcript copy from the IRS (if you don’t have the full return)
📣 Pro Tips:
-
Include all pages—not just the summary. If you’re on extension, upload the IRS extension form + a YTD Profit & Loss.
-
Check that the business name and EIN match your loan application
-
If ownership changed since these were filed, upload any updated docs as well
FAQ
Q: What if I changed business structure (e.g., from LLC to S-Corp) between years?
A: Just upload both years as-is. Let us know the change happened so we can flag it early.
Q: Can I just send a summary?
A: No—banks need the full return (not just the cover page). PDF is best.
Q: What if I only have one year of returns?
A: Let us know right away. Some lenders require two full years, but we may have options depending on your case.