The short answer
At a glance
| Best fit | Temporary gaps with a clear source of repayment |
|---|---|
| Repeating gaps | Line of credit: commonly about $17,500 a month, 1+ year, about 650+ credit |
| Planned one-time gaps | Working capital loan: commonly about $17,500 a month, 6+ months, 600+ credit |
| Fast or flexible needs | MCA: commonly from about $7,500 a month, 3+ months, credit flexible |
| Seasonal businesses | Size from the slow-month shortfall, repay in the busy months |
| Documents | 3 to 4 months of bank statements, ID, voided check, application |
| Speed | Same-day decisions are common on complete files; never promised |
| Avoid if | The business is losing money every month with no turnaround in sight |
Before you apply: checklist
- Write the exact gap: amount, start date, end date
- Name the money that will repay it and when it arrives
- Check last year's slow and busy months in your statements
- Price the payment against your slowest month, not your best
- For taxes, talk to a tax professional before choosing funding
- Borrow the gap, not a cushion on top of it
- Line up funding before payroll day, not on it
Check what your business qualifies for
Merchant Fund Express reviews funding for payroll, taxes, rent and slow seasons requests from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Scores from 500 are considered, and same-day decisions are common on complete files.
Check funding options with Merchant Fund ExpressPayroll, rent and hiring
Payroll and rent are fixed. Revenue is not. A short gap between the two is the most common reason owners look for funding. If you are hiring ahead of a big contract or a busy season, funding the first few payrolls can make sense when the revenue is already booked or very likely.
Seasonal owners should read seasonal revenue-based financing and a seasonal business line of credit.
Taxes and tax liens
Owners sometimes use funding to pay a tax balance or deal with a tax lien. An open lien can affect how funders view a file, and some funders may want to see a payment plan in place. Rules vary, so talk to a tax professional before you decide how to pay. This sheet is not tax or legal advice.
Slow seasons and the holidays
- Landscapers, pool services and contractors often slow in winter.
- Retail and ecommerce need inventory before the holidays; see holiday season business funding.
- Tourism and restaurants swing with the weather and visitors.
- Year-end brings bonuses, renewals and tax bills; see year-end business funding.
Funding brings customers. Is your website ready for them?
Funding usually pays for growth: more stock, staff, equipment or marketing. Make sure the customers that growth brings find a website that explains what you do and makes it easy to call, book or buy. Cheap Cheap Websites builds professional sites from $399, with Website Care at $30/month.
Illustrative example: funding a three-month slow season
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Assumed monthly shortfall in slow months | $20,000 |
| Slow months | 3 |
| Gap to fund ($20,000 x 3) | $60,000 |
| Assumed factor rate on an advance | 1.20 |
| Total payback ($60,000 x 1.20) | $72,000 |
| Assumed busy-month revenue | $90,000 |
| Assumed holdback (12% of revenue) | $10,800 a month |
| Months to repay ($72,000 / $10,800) | About 6.7 months |
These figures are illustrations, not offers. Real pricing, amounts and terms depend on the full file review.
When borrowing does not make sense
- Losses are ongoing, not seasonal.
- You plan to use new funding to make payments on old funding with no change in revenue.
- You already carry several open advances; that usually points to a refinance review, not another position.
- The payment would be more than your slowest month can carry.
How Merchant Fund Express handles this
Merchant Fund Express reviews working capital, lines of credit and advances for payroll, rent, tax and seasonal gaps. The Merchant Fund Express working capital loans page explains terms and guidelines. If you already have advances open, MFE can review a refinance or buyout instead. To get started, apply with Merchant Fund Express.
Related
Cheap Cheap Websites builds websites. It does not lend or make funding decisions. Funding is offered by our funding partner, Merchant Fund Express, and every request is subject to its review and approval. Figures on this page are illustrations, not offers. Updated October 16, 2026.