Short answer
- The FY2027 SBA guaranty fee runs about 1.7% to 2.8% of the loan, depending on size.
- Add the valuation, legal, lender costs, Florida doc stamps and, at $3M+, a QoE.
- Your 10% equity applies to the total project cost.
The short version
The price is only part of what you need. An SBA acquisition also carries the SBA guaranty fee, an independent valuation, legal and lender costs, Florida documentary stamp tax on the notes, working capital, and for purchases of $3M or more, a Quality of Earnings report. Your 10% equity is measured on that total project cost, not just the price. The calculator below adds it up.
SBA closing cost calculator
The SBA guaranty fee
For 7(a) loans numbered from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 (FY2027), the upfront guaranty fee is charged on the SBA-guaranteed portion of the loan, which is 85% for loans up to $150,000 and 75% above that:
| Loan amount | Upfront fee on the guaranteed portion |
|---|---|
| $150,000 or less | 2% |
| $150,001 to $700,000 | 3% |
| $700,001 to $5 million | 3.5% up to $1M of guaranteed portion, plus 3.75% above |
A $2,000,000 loan carries a fee of about $53,750. Loans of $700,000 or less to manufacturers, qualifying food supply chain businesses and rural businesses can have a 0% fee. The fee can usually be financed. The 0.55% annual service fee is paid by the lender and can't be passed to you.
Third-party costs
- Independent valuation. Required on every SBA change of ownership since October 1, 2026, from a credentialed appraiser. Ask your lender for the quote; it's often a few thousand dollars on smaller deals.
- Quality of Earnings. Required at $3M+ purchase prices and ordered by the lender. Small-deal QoEs often cost $5,000 to $15,000 with boutique firms and more with larger firms. See what a QoE covers.
- Your attorney. Purchase agreement, lease assignment, entity setup and closing. Get a fixed quote.
- Lender and closing costs. Packaging fees, lien searches, UCC filings, insurance and title work if real estate is involved.
- Florida documentary stamp tax. $0.35 per $100 on promissory notes. Unsecured notes are capped at $2,450.
Valuation and QoE costs can count toward your equity injection under the current SBA rules.
How much cash you actually need
At least 10% of the total project cost, from your own cash or a personal loan repaid from outside the business. Up to half of that can come from a seller note on full standby, combined with any investors who own less than 20%. Then add a cash cushion: most buyers who struggle in year one didn't run out of profit, they ran out of cash.
Can the business carry the debt?
The lender needs 1.25x debt coverage on historical earnings after a market salary for whoever runs the business. The calculator shows the cash flow you'd need. If the business doesn't produce it today, the deal doesn't work at this price, no matter how good your plan is. See the full SBA buyer guide.
FAQ
What are closing costs on an SBA loan to buy a business?
The SBA upfront guaranty fee, an independent valuation, legal fees, lender and packaging costs, Florida documentary stamp tax on the notes, and for $3M+ purchases, a Quality of Earnings report.
How much is the SBA guaranty fee in 2027?
For FY2027 loans, 2% of the guaranteed portion up to $150,000, 3% from $150,001 to $700,000, and 3.5% up to $1M of guaranteed portion plus 3.75% above for larger loans. A $2M loan pays about $53,750.
Can closing costs be financed in an SBA loan?
Often yes, including the guaranty fee, but your 10% equity is measured on the total project cost, so financed costs raise the equity you need.
Sources
- FY2027 SBA 7(a) fees (NAGGL)
- FY2027 fee examples (Distilled Funding)
- SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 summary (Accredited)
- Florida documentary stamp tax (DOR)
- QoE cost (WebAcquisition)
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. SBA rules and Florida law change; confirm current terms with your lender, attorney and CPA.