13.9% of AZ total
Avg: $111,677 per loan
$110M outstanding
95.3% forgiveness rate
PPP Program Overview: Tucson, AZ
Between April 2020 and May 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration disbursed approximately 23,499 Paycheck Protection Program loans in the Tucson metropolitan area, totaling $2.6B. These loans supported approximately 219K jobs in the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of these loans, 22,394 (95.3%) were fully forgiven. However, 1,105 loans totaling $110M remain unforgiven and are potentially subject to SBA collection, Treasury offset, or DOJ enforcement action.
Tucson is part of Arizona, which has a Medium enforcement risk classification. The DOJ PPP Strike Force operates nationally, with particular focus on major metropolitan areas where loan volumes and dollar amounts are highest.
Enforcement Risk in Tucson
Tucson has moderate PPP enforcement activity. While not among the highest-priority metros, the DOJ and SBA OIG maintain active investigations in this area. Borrowers with loans over $150,000 or those with discrepancies in their applications should be particularly vigilant.
The False Claims Act statute of limitations extends through 2030-2031 for PPP loans. This means new enforcement actions can still be initiated against Tucson borrowers for several more years.
Tucson vs. Arizona Average
Frequently Asked Questions: PPP in Tucson
How many PPP loans were issued in Tucson, AZ?
Tucson, Arizona received approximately 23,499 PPP loans totaling $2.6B between April 2020 and May 2021. The average loan size was $111,677, supporting approximately 219K jobs in the Tucson metro area.
How many PPP loans in Tucson were not forgiven?
Approximately 1,105 PPP loans in the Tucson metro area (4.7% of total) were not forgiven, representing $110M in outstanding obligations. These borrowers may face Treasury collection actions or SBA enforcement.
What is the PPP enforcement risk in Tucson?
Tucson is in a "Medium" enforcement risk area. The DOJ PPP Strike Force and SBA OIG maintain active investigations in major metro areas. Borrowers in Tucson with unforgiven loans or application discrepancies should be aware of ongoing enforcement activity through 2030-2031.
Can I still face a PPP audit in Tucson in 2026?
Yes. The False Claims Act has a 6-10 year statute of limitations. Since PPP loans were issued in 2020-2021, enforcement actions can continue through 2030-2031. Tucson borrowers remain at risk regardless of whether their loan was forgiven.
Are You at Risk?
1,105 Tucson area borrowers have unforgiven PPP loans. Find out your specific risk level in under 3 minutes.
Other Cities in Arizona
View all Arizona data →Data Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration PPP Data Reports, PandemicOversight.gov, U.S. Treasury Department. Metro-area estimates derived from state-level data with population-weighted distribution. Last updated May 2026.