what other income can be used besides tax returns

Didier Malagies • October 13, 2025



Here are alternative ways to qualify for a mortgage without using tax returns:


🏦 1. Bank Statement Loans


How it works: Lenders review 12–24 months of your business or personal bank statements to calculate your average monthly deposits (as income).


Used for: Self-employed borrowers, business owners, gig workers, freelancers.


What they look at:


Deposit history and consistency


Business expenses (they’ll apply an expense factor, usually 30–50%)


No tax returns or W-2s required.


💳 2. Asset Depletion / Asset-Based Loans


How it works: Instead of income, your assets (like savings, investments, or retirement funds) are used to demonstrate repayment ability.


Used for: Retirees, high-net-worth individuals, or anyone with substantial savings but limited current income.


Example: $1,000,000 in liquid assets might qualify as $4,000–$6,000/month “income” (depending on lender formula).


🧾 3. P&L (Profit and Loss) Statement Only Loans


How it works: Lender uses a CPA- or tax-preparer-prepared Profit & Loss statement instead of tax returns.


Used for: Self-employed borrowers who can show business income trends but don’t want to use full tax documents.


Usually requires: 12–24 months in business + CPA verification.


🏘️ 4. DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) Loans


How it works: Common for real estate investors — qualification is based on the property’s rental income, not your personal income.


Formula:

Gross Rent ÷ PITI (Principal + Interest + Taxes + Insurance)


DSCR ≥ 1.0 means the property “covers itself.”


No tax returns, W-2s, or employment verification needed.


💼 5. 1099 Income Loan


How it works: Uses your 1099 forms (from contract work, commissions, or freelance income) as income documentation instead of full tax returns.


Used for: Independent contractors, salespeople, consultants, etc.


Often requires: 1–2 years of consistent 1099 income.



Higher down payment and interest rate required.


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By Didier Malagies November 28, 2025
 New conforming loan limits increase to $832,750, which is great considering we have had price decreases on homes this year. So if you put down 3% the purchase price would be $858,051, and 5% down would be $876,578. Why would that matter? Well, you go above, and you are in Jumbo territory, where you have to put 20% down vs the 3% or 5% down. So, really great news that there is an increase, and when rates do come down, there will be all the homeowners who have the low interest rates, probably make a move to either downsize or upsize on their home, which will create activity and an increase in home prices. So overall, exciting to see the loan amounts increase to help offset the higher home prices tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
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