Debt-to-Income Ratio for Small Business (2024)

FAQs

What is a good debt-to-income ratio for a small business? ›

Taking control of your debt-to-income ratio can help your business and its chances of getting funding at good rates. Ideally, you should aim to have a debt-to-income ratio no higher than 36%.

How much debt should a small business have? As a general rule, you shouldn't have more than 30% of your business capital in credit debt; exceeding this percentage tells lenders you may be not profitable or responsible with your money.

Generally, a good debt ratio is around 1 to 1.5. However, the ideal debt ratio will vary depending on the industry, as some industries use more debt financing than others. Capital-intensive industries like the financial and manufacturing industries often have higher ratios that can be greater than 2.

A general rule of thumb is to keep your overall debt-to-income ratio at or below 43%.

From a pure risk perspective, debt ratios of 0.4 or lower are considered better, while a debt ratio of 0.6 or higher makes it more difficult to borrow money. While a low debt ratio suggests greater creditworthiness, there is also risk associated with a company carrying too little debt.

35% or less: Looking Good - Relative to your income, your debt is at a manageable level. You most likely have money left over for saving or spending after you've paid your bills. Lenders generally view a lower DTI as favorable.

You can deduct it on Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship) or on your applicable business income tax return. The following are examples of business bad debts: Loans to clients, suppliers, distributors, and employees.

Average Small Business Debt

According to a 2021 study by Nav, the average small business carries $195,957 in debt. This number varies widely though depending on factors like industry, business size, years in business, and more.

DTI is one factor that can help lenders decide whether you can repay the money you have borrowed or take on more debt. A good debt-to-income ratio is below 43%, and many lenders prefer 36% or below. Learn more about how debt-to-income ratio is calculated and how you can improve yours.

Is 3% a good debt-to-income ratio? ›

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is how much money you earn versus what you spend. It's calculated by dividing your monthly debts by your gross monthly income. Generally, it's a good idea to keep your DTI ratio below 43%, though 35% or less is considered “good.”

Key takeaways

Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%. Any debt-to-income ratio above 43% is considered to be too much debt.

Paying down debt is the most straightforward way to reduce your DTI. The fewer debts you owe, the lower your debt-to-income ratio will be. Suppose that you have a car loan with a monthly payment of $500. You can begin paying an extra $250 toward the principal each month to pay off the vehicle sooner.

DTI from 43% to 50%: A DTI ratio in this range often signals to lenders that you have a lot of debt and may struggle to repay a mortgage. DTI over 50%: A DTI ratio of 50% or higher indicates a high level of debt and signals that the borrower is probably not financially ready to repay a mortgage.

35% or less is generally viewed as favorable, and your debt is manageable. You likely have money remaining after paying monthly bills. 36% to 49% means your DTI ratio is adequate, but you have room for improvement.

DTI is one factor that can help lenders decide whether you can repay the money you have borrowed or take on more debt. A good debt-to-income ratio is below 43%, and many lenders prefer 36% or below. Learn more about how debt-to-income ratio is calculated and how you can improve yours.

In general, you are more likely to qualify for an SBA loan if your DTI is below 50% and your DSCR is 1.25 or higher. The higher your DTI, the less likely you are to qualify for a loan as a general rule of thumb.

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is how much money you earn versus what you spend. It's calculated by dividing your monthly debts by your gross monthly income. Generally, it's a good idea to keep your DTI ratio below 43%, though 35% or less is considered “good.”

Wells Fargo, for instance, classifies DTI of 35% or lower as “manageable,” since you “most likely have money left over for saving or spending after you've paid your bills.” 36% to 43%: You may be managing your debt adequately, but you're at risk of coming up short if your financial situation changes.