Self employed with options on buying a home without tax returns

DDA Mortgage • June 20, 2022

If you're self-employed, have 1099 income, or don't have traditional income, it can be tough to buy a home. You might have a high income and excellent credit, but unless you can prove it with tax returns, getting approved for a mortgage can be challenging.


Fortunately, there are options for people in your situation.


Here's what you need to know about each one:



Bank Statement Loans

You must have been self-employed for at least two years, and you need to provide 12 months' worth of bank statements showing your income. This is a common way for self-employed people to qualify for a mortgage without tax returns. A bank statement loan is a great loan product for the self-employed, business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, realtors, and real estate investors. Read more about bank statement loans.


1099 Income Only

This option allows you to buy a home using stated income for one year only without tax returns. You'll need a letter from your CPA stating your expenses. Your income will be based on your 1099 income less your expenses. Watch our video about qualifying for a mortgage with a 1099 income.


No-doc Loans

The no-doc loan is a type of mortgage that allows borrowers to get a mortgage with little documentation. This means that you don't need to document your job or your income. You will need to provide some documentation about your assets. What you do need is to have a down payment of 20% or more and you need to have a high enough credit score. The credit score requirements are always changing. Generally, it is above 640. To find out the credit score you need to qualify call us today at (727) 784-5555.


With a no-doc loan, your rates will be higher than those on conventional loans because the lender has less information about you and what they're risking if they approve your application. The interest rate on a no doc loan is usually a point or higher than on a traditional loan.


Investment Property Rent Schedules

Investment properties with rent schedules allow you to buy an investment property as long as the appraiser's rent schedule exceeds the mortgage. This can work if you have other income sources like stocks and bonds or rental properties, but don't have a W-2 or 1099 proof of income. Getting a loan based on rent schedules is also a great option if your income is too low for a mortgage. This is one way to get into real estate investing without tax returns.


I'm Didier at DDA mortgage. I always want to give you options, so you can get the best loan with the best terms to fit your situation.


If you have any questions about buying a home without a tax return, call DDA Mortgage at (727) 784-5555, or use the form below to send us your questions.


Have A Question?

Use the form below and we will give your our expert answers!

Reverse Mortgage Ask A Question


Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

By 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. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329 
By Didier Malagies October 6, 2025
A third mortgage is an additional loan secured by the same property after a first and second mortgage already exist. It’s essentially a third lien on the property, which means it’s in third place to be repaid if the borrower defaults — making it riskier for lenders. Because of this higher risk, third mortgages typically: Have higher interest rates, Offer smaller loan amounts, and Require strong borrower profiles or solid property equity. 🤖 How AI Is Transforming 3rd Mortgage Lending AI tools can make offering third mortgages much more efficient and lower-risk by handling the data-heavy analysis that used to take underwriters days. Here’s how: 1. AI-Powered Lead Generation AI platforms identify homeowners with significant equity but limited cash flow — ideal candidates for third liens. Example: AI scans property databases, loan records, and credit profiles to spot someone with 60–70% total combined LTV (Loan-to-Value). The system targets those borrowers automatically with personalized financing offers. 2. Smart Underwriting AI underwriters use advanced algorithms to evaluate: Combined LTV across all liens, Income stability and payment history, Real-time credit behavior, Local property value trends. This allows the lender to make quick, data-backed decisions on small, higher-risk loans while keeping default rates low. 3. Dynamic Pricing AI adjusts rates and terms based on real-time risk scoring — similar to how insurance companies use predictive pricing. For example: Borrower A with 65% CLTV might get 10% APR. Borrower B with 85% CLTV might see 13% APR. 4. Automated Servicing and Risk Monitoring Post-funding, AI tools can monitor the borrower’s financial health, detect early signs of distress, and even suggest restructuring options before default risk rises. 💡 Why It’s Appealing Opens a new revenue stream for lenders and brokers, Meets demand for smaller equity-tap loans without refinancing, Uses AI automation to keep costs low despite higher credit risk, Attracts tech-savvy borrowers seeking quick approvals. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies September 29, 2025
Great question — the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note (T-Note) is one of the most important benchmarks in finance, and it’s tightly linked to interest rates. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and why it matters: 1. What the 10-Year Treasury Is It’s a bond issued by the U.S. government with a maturity of 10 years. Investors buy it, loaning money to the government in exchange for: Semiannual coupon payments (interest), and The face value back at maturity. Because it’s backed by the U.S. government, it’s considered one of the safest investments in the world. 2. Yield vs. Price The yield is the effective return investors earn on the bond. The yield moves inversely with the bond’s price: If demand is high and price goes up → yield goes down. If demand falls and price goes down → yield goes up. 3. Connection to Interest Rates The 10-year Treasury yield reflects investor expectations about: Future Federal Reserve policy (Fed funds rate). Inflation (higher inflation expectations push yields higher). Economic growth (slower growth often pushes yields lower). While the Fed directly controls only the short-term Fed funds rate, the 10-year yield is market-driven and often moves in anticipation of where the Fed will go. 4. Why It’s So Important Mortgage rates & lending costs: 30-year mortgage rates generally move in step with the 10-year yield (plus a spread). If the 10-year goes up, mortgage rates usually rise. Benchmark for global finance: Companies, governments, and banks often price loans and bonds based on the 10-year yield. Risk sentiment: Investors flock to Treasuries in times of uncertainty, driving yields down (“flight to safety”). 5. Practical Example Suppose the Fed raises short-term rates to fight inflation. Investors expect tighter policy and possibly lower inflation later. If they believe inflation will fall, demand for 10-years might rise → yields drop. But if they fear inflation will stay high, demand falls → yields rise. Mortgage rates, business loans, and even stock valuations all adjust accordingly. ✅ In short: The 10-year Treasury is the bridge between Fed policy and real-world borrowing costs. It signals market expectations for growth, inflation, and Fed moves, making it a crucial guide for interest rates across the economy. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329 
Show More