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There are times office equipment breaks down and you can simply write a check or draw from the business line of credit for repairs or replacement. Other times this is not the case. In those instances, it is necessary to call in the big guns. Equipment financing is likely the answer when other options just will not work.

There is often a debate in the heads of small business owners over whether they should buy that new piece of equipment or just lease it. It may seem to be a small question with only month to month ramifications, but that fact is that the choice made can affect your tax return as well. It may do so even if you do not intend for it to.

So what exactly is a microloan? The Microloan Program was developed in 1992 by the SBA for the purposes of making available very small loans to business owners who need small business loans. Nonprofit intermediaries are used to make the loans. Currently, 170 nonprofit organizations are administering the Microloan Program, in almost every state. Since 1992, the Microloan Program has handed out over 12,000 loans, totaling a whopping $112 million. The funds of a microloan can be used for many business needs, including capital, inventory, supplies, and equipment.

Before you even write up your loan application, carefully consider how much money you need. Set a limit for your expenses, and stick to it! Think about the money you absolutely must spend on bare essentials (i.e. real estate, basic equipment), and avoid paying for things you don't absolutely need for opening your small business. (Remember, you can always buy them later if your start-up is successful!)

Whether you are starting a new company, buying more real estate for your established business, or acquiring new equipment, you will most likely need to apply for a small business loan to secure financing. The process of acquiring capital can be a lengthy one.

Banks made it easier for businesses to get loans in the first quarter, fueling increased purchases of products and equipment as well as more merger activity, the Federal Reserve said Monday.