SBA Form 1919 is the borrower information form required by the SBA. This form includes personal identifying information as well as responses to 26 questions. Questions range from citizenship status to the potential jobs created or retained through the loan. Following the right steps when filling out SBA Form 1919 can prevent delays in your application.
Who Completes SBA Form 1919
All SBA loan applicants need to fill out the SBA 1919 form. This includes the business entity applicant and its 20 percent or more owners, as well as anyone hired by your company to manage its day-to-day business operations. Depending on how your business is structured, other people may also be required to complete the SBA borrower information form.
Based on your business structure, the individuals who need to fill out SBA Form 1919 are:
- Sole proprietorships: The sole proprietor of the business needs to complete the form.
- General partnerships: All general partners and all limited partners owning 20 percent or more equity of the business must complete the SBA borrower information form.
- Corporations: All individuals owning at least 20 percent equity in the corporation, as well as each officer and director, need to complete the SBA 1919 form.
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): All members owning 20 percent or more of the company, as well as each officer, director, and managing member, are required to complete SBA Form 1919.
- All Companies: Any person (aka key employee) hired by the business to manage its day-to-day operations, and any other person who is required by the SBA to provide a guarantee on the loan, must provide the borrower information form.
If you don’t want to mess with all the paperwork an SBA loan brings, then we suggest partnering with a loan provider like SmartBiz, which will take care of it for you. To qualify, you must be in business for 2 or more years, have a credit score of 680+, and be profitable. You can get pre-qualified in just a few minutes with SmartBiz, and funded in as quick as 30 days.
What Each Question in SBA Form 1919 Means
It can be difficult for you to know what to disclose on SBA Form 1919 or how to answer each question. It’s important to get the information requested correct, as failing to do so could result in your loan being denied or delayed.
Descriptions of each of the SBA Form 1919 sections and questions are:
Section I: Applicant Business Information
This first section of Form 1919, which includes the first 16 questions, is to be completed for the applicant business. Once the information is provided, an authorized representative of your company will need to sign the form to attest to the accuracy of the borrower information being reported.
Applicant Business Identifying Information
In this section, an authorized representative of your company will provide the following basic identifying borrower information:
- Applicant Business Legal Name: Include your company’s legal name as reported on your organizational documentation and most recent federal tax returns. Also, indicate if your business is an operating company (OC) or eligible passive company (EC).
- DBA or Trade Name: If you are “doing business as” (DBA) another name or use a trade name that’s different from the legal name of your business, list it in this section.
- Applicant Business Primary Business Address: Provide the current address of your business.
- Project Address: If you are looking to finance property or business operations located at a different location than your primary business address, include that address in this section.
- Applicant Business Tax ID: Provide the tax identification number for your business.
- Applicant Business Phone: Include the phone number for the primary business contact in this section.
- Primary Contact: List the name of the primary contact person here. This should most likely be the same as the authorized representative of your company who is preparing the borrower information form. Make sure you’ve also included the phone number for this person on the form.
- Email Address: Provide the email address for the primary contact person.
- Amount of Loan Request: Include the dollar amount of the loan you are requesting in this section.
- Purpose of the Loan: List the purpose of the loan in this section for SBA Form 1919. Example loan purposes include purchasing existing real estate, refinancing existing debt, or purchasing fixed assets. Check out our article on 6 Types of SBA Loans, which provides information on eligible uses of loan proceeds by SBA loan type.
- Number of Existing Employees Employed by the Business: Include the number of employees your business currently employs, excluding its owners.
- Number of Jobs to Be Created as a Result of the Loan: Estimate the number of jobs that your business will create as a result of this loan. There is no defined methodology for calculating this number, but try to provide a reasonable estimate that you feel good about achieving.
- Number of Jobs to Be Retained as a Result of the Loan: Estimate the number of jobs that your business will preserve as a result of this loan. As with the number of jobs created, there is no defined methodology. Rather, do your best to provide an achievable estimate.
- Small Business Applicant Ownership: Provide the name, title, ownership percentage, and address for each business owner. Make sure you reflect 100 percent of the ownership in this section. If you don’t have enough room to list all the owners, you can attach another sheet with the requested borrower information. Just make sure to include the name of the applicant business on the attachment, note it is a supplement to SBA Form 1919 Section I, include all the required fields, and sign the attachment.
Descriptions of the SBA Form 1919 Section I questions and how they should be answered are:
Question 1: Co-Applicants
The purpose of this question is to identify if there will be any co-applicants on the loan. If the answer is “yes,” then the Section I: Applicant Business Application section of the SBA 1919 form needs to be completed and signed by an authorized representative for each applicant.
Questions 2-3: Past SBA Loan Applications & Other Restrictions
These questions address whether you have previously applied for an SBA loan or are subject to any restrictions. If the answer to question 2 is “yes,” then you’re required to provide a separate attachment explaining the circumstances surrounding your prior loan application.
The third question addresses if you have been suspended, debarred (actual or proposed), or otherwise deemed ineligible or excluded from participation in the SBA loan program by any Federal department or agency. If the answer to this question is “yes,” then you won’t be approved for an SBA loan. You can work with your loan provider to understand more about what this means to you, or consider alternative financing sources if an SBA loan is not an option.
Question 4: Franchise Businesses
This question determines whether your business operates under a franchise agreement (aka franchise, license, distributor, member, dealer, or jobber). It’s often easier for a franchise to qualify for SBA financing than a non-franchise business because there’s a proven business model to analyze. You should refer to the SBA Franchise Directory to identify if your franchise is included on the list.
Question 5: Business Affiliates
This question determines whether your business has any official affiliates. According to the SBA, an “affiliate” includes:
- A parent company
- Subsidiaries and other companies that are owned or controlled by the Applicant
- Companies in which an officer, director, general partner, managing member or party owning 20 percent or more of the business is also an officer, director, general partner, managing member or 20 percent or greater owner
- Companies or individuals with unexercised options owning 50 percent or more of the business’ stock
- Companies that have entered into agreements to merge with the business
If you have any affiliates, provide the legal names of the entities as included on the most recent federal income tax forms. Refer to this SBA guide for more information about affiliates. Many of the subsequent questions refer to your affiliates, so make sure you are considering both the applicant business and any affiliates when answering.
Question 6: Bankruptcy Protection
This question on the borrower information form deals with whether your business or any of its affiliates have ever filed for bankruptcy protection (you’ll deal with individual owner bankruptcy in Question 24). If there was a prior loss to the government resulting from a bankruptcy filing protection on the part of your business or any guarantors, then your loan cannot be approved.
The extent to which a prior bankruptcy that did not result in a government loss will be factored into the credit decision is partially at the discretion of the SBA and your lender. That said, you should be prepared to provide as much as information as possible to your lender about the factors surrounding any prior bankruptcy filings.
Question 7: Pending Legal Actions
If your business or any of its affiliates are currently involved in a pending legal action, then you need to respond “yes” to this question. While having a pending legal action does not necessarily mean your application will be denied, you need to be prepared to provide your loan provider with information about the situation. Make sure to be honest and transparent with your lender, as this will go a long way towards building your case and establishing credibility with your loan provider.
Question 8: Past Government Loans
This section of the SBA Form 1919 requires you to detail whether you have previously taken any other government loans. This includes, for instance, other SBA loans, FHA home loans, veterans loans, student loans, and disaster loans. Sub-questions (a) and (b) also require you to indicate whether any of these loans were ever delinquent or in default.
Question 9: Export Activities
This question evaluates your export activities. If you’re using this loan to expand your exports or begin exporting for the first time, try to estimate the total export sales that you will have if you’re approved for this loan. There is no defined methodology for this calculation, but do your best to provide a reasonable dollar amount.
Question 10: Help with Your Application
This question determines whether you have received any outside help with your SBA loan application. If you hired a packager, provider (like SmartBiz), broker, accountant, lawyer, etc., who has specifically helped you with the loan application answer “yes.” If “yes,” the person you hired is required to fill out SBA Form 159.
Question 11: Business Revenue from Gambling
This question determines whether any of your revenues are derived from activities related to gambling, loan packaging, or displays that are overtly sexual. If your business falls into these ineligible categories, then you won’t be approved by the SBA.
Questions 12-16: Conflicts of Interest
This section of Form 1919 includes true or false questions that determine whether there is a conflict of interest between any member of your company and the SBA or any other government agency. If you answer “False” to any questions, this does not mean that your loan will be denied, only that you will have to use different SBA procedures.
You may have to answer “False” on these questions if:
- You, your spouse, or another member of your household work for the SBA.
- Any employee, owner, partner, attorney, agent, owner of stock, officer, director, creditor or debtor of the applicant has worked for the SBA within the past year.
- A member of Congress, an appointed official of the judicial or legislative branch, or family member of such individual is a sole proprietor, general partner, officer, director, or stockholder with a 10 percent or more interest in the business.
- A government employee with a grade GS-13 or household member of such individual is a sole proprietor, general partner, officer, director, or stockholder with a 10 percent or more interest.
- A member or employee of the Small Business Advisory Council, a SCORE volunteer, or household member of such individual is a sole proprietor, general partner, officer, director, or stockholder with a 10 percent or more interest.
Don’t Forget to Sign SBA Form 1919
Once you have completed Section I of the borrower information form and truthfully answered all the questions, an authorized representative of the applicant business must sign, date, and print their name and title. For more about the application process, read our guide on how to apply for an SBA loan.
Section II: Principal Information
Section II of the SBA borrower information form includes questions 17 through 26, and is to be completed by every individual required to prepare SBA Form 1919. This includes individuals and entities with 20 percent or more ownership and key employees—each person who needs to prepare their version of SBA Form 1919. Once the information is provided, the individual or authorized business representative needs to sign the form to attest to the accuracy of the information reported.
Principal Identifying Information
In this section of the SBA 1919 form, as a principal of the business you’ll begin by providing the following basic identifying information:
- Principal Name: Include your full legal name.
- Social Security Number or Tax ID: Provide your Social Security number or tax identification number.
- Date of Birth: List your birth date in this section.
- Place of Birth: If you were born in the U.S., list the city and state in which you were born. If born outside the U.S., list the name of the foreign country.
- Home Address: Provide your current address (if this is completed for a business entity, include the current address of the business).
- Home Phone: In this section, provide the number where you can most easily be reached. This is most likely your cell phone number.
- Percent of Ownership in the Small Business Applicant: Indicate your percent of ownership in the company in this section.
- Veteran, Gender, Race, & Ethnicity Data: You can choose to voluntarily disclose this information, which is collected only for program reporting purposes. The information provided in this section has no bearing on the credit decision made by the SBA or your loan provider.
Descriptions of the SBA Form 1919 Section II questions and how they should be answered are:
Question 17: Current Legal Proceedings
The SBA does not support loans to people currently under indictment, on parole, or on probation. All criminal investigations must be resolved, and all parole and probations lifted before you can be considered for eligibility under an SBA loan program. If you have to answer “yes” to this question, you and the applicant business are ineligible for an SBA loan at this time.
Questions 18-19: Past Criminal Activity
These questions on the borrower information form deal with past legal offenses. If you answer “yes” to these questions, you may still be eligible for an SBA loan, but you will need to complete SBA Form 912 in addition to SBA Form 1919. That will give the lender the information it needs to conduct a background check and character determination to see if you and your company are still eligible for an SBA loan.
You must report all of your criminal offenses (excluding minor vehicle violations), including convictions, guilty pleas, no contest pleas, pretrial diversions, paroles, and probations, regardless of how long ago they took place. Note: Having past criminal activity doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from getting approved.
Do not lie or leave off information in this section, even if it was a felony from 20 years ago. If you leave off this information, then not only will you not get a loan, but you’ll actually be committing a crime when you knowingly sign the SBA Form 1919, stating that all information is correct.
Question 20: Application Prohibitions
This question addresses whether you are currently prohibited from applying for this type of loan. If you have been suspended, debarred (actual or proposed), or otherwise deemed ineligible or excluded from participation in the SBA loan program by any Federal department or agency, then you won’t be approved for an SBA loan. You can work with your lender to understand more about what this means to you, or consider alternative financing sources if an SBA loan is not an option.
Question 21: Child Support Payments
This question applies to individuals who own 50 percent or more of the business applicant, and asks if you are more than 60 days delinquent on any legally-required child support payments. If this answer to this question is “yes,” then the SBA will not be able to approve your loan request.
Question 22: U.S. Citizenship
This section of Form 1919 determines whether you are a U.S. citizen or have received lawful permanent resident status. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, provide your Alien Registration Number. Lawful permanent residents are eligible for loans like U.S. citizens. Some non-U.S. citizens are also eligible for SBA loans but need to meet additional requirements to qualify. Having real estate collateral and operations located in the U.S., a management team made up of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, or an established business with more than one year of operational history can all help a non-U.S. citizen qualify.
Question 23: Affiliated Business Interests
This borrower information form question pertains to whether you have any ownership in businesses that are considered affiliates of the applicant. You can identify whether other businesses you own are considered affiliates by referring to Question 5 in Section I of SBA Form 1919.
Question 24: Bankruptcy Protection
This portion of SBA Form 1919 deals with whether you have ever personally filed for bankruptcy protection. If there was a prior loss to the government resulting from your bankruptcy filing protection and you are required by the SBA to provide a guarantee on the loan, then the loan to your business cannot be approved.
The extent to which a prior bankruptcy that did not result in a government loss will be factored into the credit decision is partially at the discretion of the SBA and your lender. That said, you should be prepared to provide as much as information as possible to your lender about the factors surrounding any prior bankruptcy filings.
Question 25: Pending Legal Actions
If you, or any business you control, are currently involved in a pending legal action, then you need to respond “yes” to this question. This includes divorce proceedings. While having a pending legal action does not necessarily mean the application for your business will be denied, you need to be prepared to provide your loan provider with information about the situation. Make sure to be honest and transparent with your lender, as this will go a long way towards building your case and establishing credibility with your loan provider.
Question 26: Past Government Loans
This section of the borrower information form requires you to disclose whether you have previously taken any other government loans. This includes, for instance, other SBA loans, FHA home loans, veterans loans, student loans, and disaster loans. Sub-questions (a) and (b) also require you to indicate whether any of these loans were ever delinquent or in default.
Don’t Forget to Sign SBA Form 1919
Once you have completed SBA Form 1919 and truthfully answered all the questions, you must sign, date, and print your name. For more about the application process, read our guide on how to apply for an SBA loan.
If you have a credit score above 680, have been in business for 2 or more years, are profitable, and are looking to borrow up to $350,000, you may qualify for a streamlined SBA loan with SmartBiz. SmartBiz can pre-qualify you in minutes and get you funded faster than any other SBA lender we know.
SBA Form 1919 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While this article has provided a lot of information about completing SBA Form 1919, the borrower information form, you may have some remaining questions. We’ve tried to address the most common questions here.
Here are some of the most common questions about the SBA 1919 form, and their answers:
What Is the SBA Form 1919?
SBA Form 1919 is the document required by the SBA to collect borrower information on all SBA business loan applicants and principals. The SBA considers principles of the applicant business to include individuals with a significant amount of ownership in or control over the business, such as individuals with 20 percent or more ownership, managing members, and key employees.
What Past Legal Offenses Do I Have to Report on the SBA Borrower Information Form?
According to Lola Kress, Regional Communications Director at the SBA, “If the conviction was a felony conviction, it must be disclosed. Any convictions, felony or not, within six months of the date of application must be disclosed. Convictions older than six months, with the exception of felonies, do not require disclosure.”
If you plan on not disclosing a past misdemeanor, then make sure it was fully adjudicated. Also keep in mind that while they are not necessarily required to be disclosed under SBA Form 1919, your lender may require you to disclose borrower information such as this for their own underwriting purposes.
Do Directors, Officers, and Investors Have to Fill Out the SBA Borrower Information Form?
Directors and officers of the applicant borrower must complete the form as individuals. However, generally only investors with a significant ownership interest (20 percent or more) need to complete the form. The SBA is mainly interested in parties with control over the business, which includes large equity owners, officers, directors, managing members, and key employees running the day-to-day operations.
Do Loan Cosigners (Guarantors) Have to Complete the SBA 1919 Form if They Are Not Tied to the Business?
Anyone who is required by the SBA to cosign (provide a guarantee) on the loan must complete the form, as their information is important to the loan decision. If the SBA doesn’t require a guarantee, then the cosigner doesn’t have to fill out the form. However, to prevent delays, all have potential cosigners complete the form.
Do I Have to Fill Out the SBA Borrower Information Form (Form 1919) if I Completed My Lender’s Personal Information Sheet?
Yes, you must fill out SBA Form 1919 regardless of what information your lender requires. The SBA has their own processes to approve their guarantee on your loan, and completion of this form is a part of it. Neither your lender’s approval process nor the SBA’s approval process obligates the other party to approve your loan.
Bottom Line: SBA Form 1919
While the amount of paperwork required to get an SBA loan can seem overwhelming, taking the time to answer all questions on SBA Form 1919 truthfully and completely should help you secure your SBA loan as soon as possible. False information, or failing to disclose required borrower information, can cause your application to be delayed or denied.
Need other SBA loan forms? We’ve got you covered:
- SBA Form 912 Statement of Financial History
- SBA Form 159 Fee Disclosure Form & Compensation Agreement
- SBA Form 413 Personal Financial Statement
If you don’t want to deal with all the SBA loan paperwork, then we suggest partnering with a broker like SmartBiz. SmartBiz requires only one application, although they work with multiple SBA lenders. Once you have applied, they review your information and match you with the lender most likely to approve your loan. Pre-qualify online for up to $350,000 in minutes.
