Can I get a mortgage without tax returns?
The full answer
Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans all require tax returns (and IRS transcripts) for self-employed borrowers — there's no way around it on those programs. But an entire category of non-QM loans exists precisely for borrowers whose returns understate their income or who'd rather not document it.
The main no-tax-return options: bank statement loans (qualify on deposits after an expense factor), P&L-only loans (a CPA-certified profit-and-loss statement stands in for returns), asset-depletion loans (convert liquid assets into qualifying income), and DSCR loans for investment property (qualify on the property's rent, not your income).
These trade documentation flexibility for a higher rate and usually a larger down payment (often 10–20%+). For many self-employed borrowers with heavy write-offs, the math still favors them over a conventional loan that qualifies on a deduction-reduced net.
Related questions
- Do tax write-offs hurt your mortgage approval?
- Do I need two years in business for a bank statement loan?
- What is an expense factor on a bank statement loan?
Sources
Educational information only — not financial advice, and not a quote, pre-approval, or offer of credit. Program rules and ranges are illustrative and vary by lender. Mortgage Merlin is a publisher, not a lender or broker.