Small business

8(a) Eligibility: Ownership, Disadvantage, and Applying

Assess your business against SBA 8(a) size, ownership, control, and financial requirements, with a self-check for documentation and application readiness.

SBA 504 Eligibility: Project, Ownership, and Refinancing Tests

Check SBA 504 eligibility for business finances, fixed-asset use, owner occupancy, and borrower contributions before discussing your project with a CDC.

Growth Accelerator Fund Competition: Find Startup Support

Use past GAFC awardee lists to find startup support, distinguish provider funding from business services, and check whether a specific competition is open.

HUBZone Program: Federal Contracts for Businesses in Underutilized Zones

HUBZone certification opens federal contracting opportunities for qualifying businesses. Check office location, employee residency, and application requirements.

MREIDL: Operating Costs During an Essential Employee’s Military Service

MREIDL offers working-capital loans when an essential employee's military call-up harms a small business. Review eligibility, records, and SBA application steps.

Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit: A Guide for Businesses

Review the R&D tax credit's four-part eligibility test, qualifying research expenses, calculation methods, and records needed for a Form 6765 claim.

SBA 504 Certified Development Company (CDC) Loan Program Explained

SBA 504 loans finance major business fixed assets through a CDC and a private lender. Explore eligible projects, borrower equity, and application steps.

SBA 7(a) Loan Program: Up to $5 Million for Small Businesses

SBA 7(a) loans are made through participating lenders with an SBA guarantee. Review eligible uses, repayment factors, and documents for a lender application.

SBA Disaster Loan Programs: Physical Damage & Economic Injury Explained

Compare SBA physical-damage and economic-injury disaster loans, check declaration-specific deadlines, and prepare records of losses and business finances.

SBA Manufacturing Grants: Correcting the DMEG Claim

The $50 million E2G award funds manufacturing training providers. Find the actual training and loan routes, and the correction to the earlier DMEG claim.

SBA Microloan Program: Small Business Loans & Counseling

SBA microloans offer up to $50,000 through local nonprofit lenders. Learn allowed uses, repayment terms, lender requirements, and where to apply.

SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Explained

Check STEP business eligibility, your state application, approval timing, matching costs, and reimbursement records before spending on export development.

Section 179 Deduction: 2026 Limits and Form 4562

Section 179 lets businesses expense qualifying property subject to tax limits. Check business use, placed-in-service rules, and the Form 4562 election.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) & Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Programs

Compare SDVOSB and VOSB contracting programs for veteran-owned businesses, including ownership and control requirements, registration, and certification steps.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: Federal Funding for R&D

SBIR supports small-business research with commercial potential. Explore funding phases, project eligibility, and how to respond to an agency solicitation.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program: Funding for R&D Partnerships

STTR funds collaborative research between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. Check partner roles, funding phases, and agency proposal steps.

WOSB and EDWOSB: Eligibility, Financial Tests, and Certification

Compare WOSB and EDWOSB federal contracting eligibility, women-owned business control rules, financial tests, and documents for SBA certification.

WOTC: Covered Hires, Certification, and the 2026 Lapse

Review WOTC certification for hires who started work by December 31, 2025, and check authorization before claiming credits for later hires.

8(a) Business Development Program: Benefits and Applying

Decide when to seek 8(a) certification, screen ownership and disadvantage, prepare the application, and build a federal contract plan after approval.