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Merchant Cash Advance Business Debt Relief
Merchant cash advances (MCAs) can provide quick access to capital for small businesses, but they also come with high costs and risks. If your business has struggled to repay an MCA, you may be facing aggressive collection tactics or threats of legal action. However, there are options to resolve MCA debt and protect your business.
How Merchant Cash Advances Work
A merchant cash advance provides a business with a lump sum of capital in exchange for a percentage of future credit card sales. It is not technically a loan, so MCA companies can bypass state lending laws and charge higher fees.Here’s a quick rundown of how merchant cash advances work:
- You receive an upfront sum of cash, usually between $5,000 – $500,000
- The MCA company takes a fixed percentage of your daily credit card sales – typically 8-20%
- You make payments until you pay back the advance plus fees, which often equal a 70-400% APR
- The MCA company can access your credit card receipts to collect payments automatically
This structure allows fast funding but can become problematic if sales drop. You still owe fixed daily payments even if your revenue decreases.
The Risks of Merchant Cash Advances
While MCAs provide easy money upfront, they come with considerable risks:
- Extremely high APRs – MCA fees equate to 70-400% APR on average. This makes costs exponentially higher than business loans or lines of credit.
- Daily payments – You owe fixed daily payments regardless of sales fluctuations, which can quickly become unmanageable. This structure does not accommodate seasonal slowdowns or dips in revenue.
- Aggressive collections – MCA companies can access business bank accounts and credit card receipts to collect payments. Some rely on harassing tactics if you fall behind.
- Personal liability – Business owners often personally guarantee MCA payments. This exposes personal assets if the business struggles.
- Balloon payments – If an MCA is not repaid quickly enough through the fixed percentage deductions, you may owe a large balloon payment of 25-100% of the remaining balance.
As a result of these risky features, many businesses seeking MCA debt relief are facing financial crisis.
Options for Merchant Cash Advance Debt Relief
If your business is overwhelmed by MCA debt, there are options to resolve it and protect your company. Each path depends on your specific situation.
Renegotiate the Advance
If payments are unmanageable but revenue is still reasonably consistent, you may be able to renegotiate terms with the MCA company by:
- Asking to adjust the daily repayment percentage
- Extending the payback term so payments are lower
- Paying a lump sum to reduce principal and associated fees
This requires an open line of communication with the MCA company. Frame renegotiation as a “win-win” to keep the business viable as a source of ongoing payments.
Refinance with More Favorable Financing
If cash flow permits, refinancing high-cost MCA debt can significantly reduce fees. Options to explore include:
- Working capital loans – Banks and alternative lenders provide loans tailored for business operations with rates as low as 5-15% APR.
- Business lines of credit – Lines of credit offer revolving access to capital with interest charged only on what you use. This provides flexibility to adapt to revenue fluctuations.
- Invoice factoring – Invoice factoring converts unpaid customer invoices into immediate capital. Fees range from 1-5% per invoice.
Refinancing spreads payments over longer periods and lowers costs. Lenders can pay off MCAs directly through refinancing packages.
File for Bankruptcy Protection
If debts severely overwhelm revenue, bankruptcy may be the best path to eliminate MCA obligations. Options include:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy – Liquidates eligible assets to pay creditors. Remaining debts are discharged. Best for businesses closing operations.
- Chapter 11 bankruptcy – Allows reorganization of debts under court protection while keeping business open. The business proposes a repayment plan to creditors.
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy – Like Chapter 11, but for smaller businesses with simpler debts. The business repays debts under a 3-5 year court-approved plan.
The legal process provides breathing room from collections while resolving debts. Bankruptcy damages credit but allows a fresh start.
Attempt Debt Settlement
Debt settlement involves negotiating directly with creditors to pay a lump sum lower than what you owe. This requires:
- Saved settlement funds – You must have lump sum funds, often 20-50% of debt, to pay as settlement. This is difficult for cash-strapped businesses.
- Creditor consent – The creditor must voluntarily agree to accept the reduced payment as full settlement. Many MCA companies reject settlement offers.
If you have sufficient reserves, debt settlement may resolve MCAs for less than face value. But it carries risk of failure.
Finding the Right Solution
With various options to address merchant cash advance debt, it is critical to understand the pros, cons and feasibility of each approach for your unique situation. Key steps include:
- Conducting a detailed financial analysis – Review income statements, balance sheets, accounts receivable/payable, profit margins, seasonal trends, and all short and long-term obligations. This provides clarity on what is sustainable.
- Projecting cash flow at various debt repayment levels – Forecast business cash flow under different scenarios of renegotiated MCA payments, refinancing options, or bankruptcy protection plans. This reveals what is manageable.
- Seeking qualified business debt advice – Consult an attorney and financial specialist to objectively assess your situation and match the right debt relief strategy to your circumstances.
The most appropriate path depends on your revenue and expenses, credit standing, tolerance for business disruption, and prospects for rebuilding after debt resolution. An experienced professional can guide you through the pros, cons and tradeoffs to make an informed decision.
About DeLancey Street
Here at DeLancey Street, we understand the intense stress business owners face when overwhelmed by merchant cash advance debts and aggressive collections. Our dedicated advisors provide judgment-free support to objectively assess your situation and map out customized solutions that make the most financial sense for your company. We help craft strategies to either repay debts in a manageable way or discharge them through legal processes if necessary.If an MCA has your business in crisis, please reach out for a free consultation. We offer transparent guidance at no cost to evaluate the full picture and explain options to relieve financial pressure. Our goal is stabilizing businesses to return focus to growth and profitability. There are always solutions – let us help you find clarity and get your company back on track.
Common Questions about Merchant Cash Advance Debt
Merchant cash advances promise convenient capital but often create spiraling debt. If your business faces overwhelming MCA obligations, you likely have many pressing questions. Here are answers to some frequent concerns:
Can an MCA Company Sue My Business for Repayment?
Yes, an MCA provider can sue your business if you breach the contract terms by missing payments. However, lawsuits are usually a last resort. MCA companies instead rely on accessing your merchant account or business bank account to collect payments automatically through withdrawals. This avoids legal fees.If sued, expect the MCA company to seek immediate full repayment plus extremely high compound interest due to default. They may also request injunctive relief to freeze business assets.Litigation is disruptive and applying full contract terms can sink a business. Seek debt relief support before an MCA company files suit.
Is There a Time Limit for an MCA Company to Sue for Repayment?
Each state has its own statute of limitations dictating deadlines for creditors to sue for repayment. Time limits range between 3-10 years depending on jurisdiction.The “clock” starts either from your last payment or explicit default. If you continue making partial payments, it resets the timeline.Understanding your state’s statute of limitations is useful when weighing options. Once the term lapses, remaining MCA debts become essentially uncollectible through legal means.
Can an MCA Garnish My Wages or Business Accounts?
By obtaining a court judgment, MCA creditors can request wage garnishment pulling payments directly from a business owner’s paycheck. They can also freeze business bank accounts and seize funds.To receive a court order for garnishment, the MCA company must first win a lawsuit proving breach of contract for delinquent payments. This demonstrates formal legal grounds for accessing your income streams and accounts to forcibly collect from outstanding debts.Wage and account garnishment creates massive financial disruption. Seeking relief before judgments occur is critical.
Can I File Bankruptcy on Merchant Cash Advance Debt?
Yes, filing business bankruptcy under chapters 7, 11, or 13 discharges obligations to repay outstanding MCA debts. When approved by court, your business reorganizes finances under bankruptcy protection while halting creditor harassment.MCA companies often argue their products constitute corporate “revenue purchases” rather than loans. But many courts accept MCAs as debt eligible for bankruptcy. Precedent improves odds of discharging MCA obligations without repayment.Bankruptcy damages credit but allows keeping a business operational while developing realistic payment plans. Our advisors help navigate pros, cons and legal process.
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