IT equipment financing is a loan or lease that spreads the cost of computers, servers, networking gear, phone systems and, in some cases, software over monthly payments instead of paying cash up front. The main choices are an equipment loan (you own the equipment), a lease with a buyout (you usually end up owning it) and a fair-market-value lease (you use it for a set term, then return, renew or buy it). Because technology loses value quickly, the length of the financing should match how long you plan to use the equipment.
This page is part of our IT and technology business loans guide. It also applies to any business outfitting an office, not just tech companies; see office equipment financing for furniture and copiers. Below: how the options compare, what lenders publish, the tax rules for 2026 and the questions to ask before you sign.
What you can finance
Equipment lenders cover most business technology. National Funding’s equipment financing page lists “Computers, servers, workstations, phone systems.” Ameris Bank Equipment Finance (Balboa Capital, a division of Ameris Bank) says on its equipment financing page that it can “finance vehicles, technology, software, machinery, and other equipment,” including “computers” and “software.”
Typical IT purchases that businesses finance include:
- Laptops, desktops and workstations for staff
- Servers, storage and backup systems
- Network switches, firewalls, routers and wireless access points
- Phone systems and conferencing equipment
- Point-of-sale terminals and scanners
- Software licenses bought with hardware, where the lender allows it
Subscription software billed monthly (SaaS) is an operating expense, not equipment, so it is not usually something you finance this way.
Loan vs. lease for technology
| Option | Who owns it | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment loan | You, once paid off | Gear you will keep for its full useful life, such as network infrastructure | You carry the risk that it becomes obsolete |
| Lease with nominal or $1 buyout | Usually you, at the end | Owning, with payments structured like a lease | Ask how it is treated for accounting and tax |
| Fair-market-value (FMV) lease | The lessor, unless you buy it out | Laptops and devices you plan to replace on a fixed cycle | Return condition rules; the buyout price is not known until the end |
| Vendor or manufacturer financing | Depends on the program | Buying a full package from one reseller | Compare the financing separately from the hardware discount |
National Funding describes its leases this way: “With a lease, you make regular payments and have the option to renew, return, or buy at the end.” For a deeper comparison, see our guide to equipment financing vs. leasing.
Match the term to the refresh cycle. If you replace laptops every three years, a five-year loan leaves you paying for equipment you no longer use. A lease or loan term that ends when you plan to refresh keeps payments tied to equipment in service.
What lenders publish
Figures below were checked on September 21, 2026, from each lender’s own site. Lenders change terms, so confirm current figures before applying. Neither lender publishes a rate on these pages; ask for the APR in writing. The APR (annual percentage rate) is the yearly cost of borrowing including fees, which makes it the fairest way to compare a loan with a lease or with another lender’s offer.
| Lender | Amounts | Terms | Published minimums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ameris Bank Equipment Finance | Application-only up to $500,000 for hard collateral and up to $350,000 for soft collateral | Most deals written for 24, 36, 48 or 60 months | 2+ years in business, $100,000+ annual revenue, FICO 640 or more; businesses with 6 months to less than 2 years may qualify for up to $50,000 through select programs |
| National Funding | Up to $150,000, new or used equipment | 2 to 5 years, monthly payments | At least 6 months in business; “Most of our customers have a personal FICO of 600 or higher” |
Ameris sets a lower application-only limit for “soft collateral” than for “hard collateral.” Ask any lender which category your equipment falls into, because it can affect how much you can borrow on an application alone and what documents you need.
National Funding says it “may offer early payoff discounts,” with amounts and terms disclosed before funding. Ask any lender whether paying early reduces the total cost.
SBA loans for larger technology projects
For a larger project, such as fitting out a new office or data room along with other costs, an SBA loan may be an option. The SBA’s 7(a) program lists “Purchasing and installation of machinery and equipment, including AI-related expenses” as an eligible use, with a maximum loan of $5 million. The SBA’s terms page sets a maximum maturity of 10 years for equipment.
For smaller amounts, SBA microloans go up to $50,000 and can be used for equipment and machinery. The SBA says the average microloan is about $13,000, the maximum term is seven years and rates are “Generally, between 8%-13%.”
SBA loans take longer and need more paperwork than an equipment lender’s application-only programs. See our SBA loans page.
Tax treatment in 2026
Tax rules can make financing technology more attractive, but talk to your tax adviser before relying on them.
- Section 179. For tax years beginning in 2026, the IRS sets the Section 179 limit at $2,560,000, reduced dollar for dollar once the cost of Section 179 property placed in service exceeds $4,090,000 (Rev. Proc. 2025-32). IRS Publication 946 lists “Off-the-shelf computer software” as property that can qualify.
- Bonus depreciation. The IRS says the One Big Beautiful Bill Act “provides a permanent 100-percent additional first year depreciation deduction for qualified property acquired” after January 19, 2025 (IRS guidance).
- Leases. Publication 946 says that if you lease property from someone, “generally you cannot depreciate its cost because you do not retain the incidents of ownership.” Your adviser can tell you how a particular lease is treated.
What lenders look at
- Time in business and revenue. The published minimums above range from 6 months to 2+ years in business.
- Credit. Ameris lists a FICO of 640 or more for its standard program; National Funding says most of its customers have 600 or higher. Meeting a minimum does not guarantee an offer.
- The equipment itself. Have the vendor quote ready, with model numbers and any software or installation costs listed separately.
- Personal guarantee. Ask whether the owners must guarantee the debt personally, and for how long.
If your business is new, see equipment financing for startups. If you are buying refurbished gear, see used equipment financing.
Pitfalls to weigh
- Financing past the useful life. Paying for a laptop for two years after it has been replaced is a common way to overspend.
- FMV buyouts. On a fair-market-value lease, the buyout price is set at the end. If you might keep the equipment, ask how the value will be determined.
- Auto-renewal clauses. Some leases renew month to month if you do not give notice. Put the notice date in your calendar.
- Bundled services. A payment that includes support or managed services can be hard to compare. Ask for the equipment cost and the service cost separately.
- Data on returned devices. If you lease laptops or servers, plan how drives will be wiped before return.
FAQ
Can I finance software?
Some lenders do. Ameris lists software among the things it finances. Ask whether a lender covers software bought on its own or only alongside hardware. For tax purposes, IRS Publication 946 lists off-the-shelf computer software as property that can qualify for Section 179.
Is it better to lease or buy computers?
It depends on how long you keep them. Leasing can suit laptops you replace on a fixed cycle; buying with a loan can suit network infrastructure you will keep for years. Compare the total cost of each, including any buyout.
How much can I finance without full financial statements?
Ameris offers application-only financing up to $500,000 for hard collateral and $350,000 for soft collateral, subject to its minimums. Other lenders set their own limits.
Can a new business get IT equipment financing?
Some lenders work with newer businesses. National Funding requires at least 6 months in business, and Ameris says businesses with 6 months to less than 2 years may qualify for up to $50,000 through select programs.
Next step
Before you request quotes, list the equipment, the vendor quote and how long you plan to keep each item. Our equipment financing page explains how we compare loans and leases from the lenders we work with, and our equipment loan calculator can help you estimate a monthly payment.
Sources
- National Funding: Equipment financing and leasing
- Ameris Bank Equipment Finance: Equipment financing
- U.S. Small Business Administration: 7(a) loans
- U.S. Small Business Administration: 7(a) terms, conditions and eligibility
- U.S. Small Business Administration: Microloans
- IRS: Rev. Proc. 2025-32
- IRS: Publication 946, How to Depreciate Property
- IRS: Guidance on the additional first-year depreciation deduction
About this page. Written by Ezra Cabrera, Content Team Lead at SMB Compass. Figures were checked against the primary sources listed above on September 21, 2026; lenders change their terms, so confirm current terms before you apply, and let us know if you spot a figure that has changed. SMB Compass is a business financing broker: we don’t lend our own money, and we are paid by the lenders we place loans with. This page is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.