A borrower who has at least a 25% ownership interest in a
company is considered to be self-employed. It does not impact
your ability to get a loan because you are self-employed. The
only thing that affects the type of loan you will get is your ability
to document your income. This is a problem for some
self-employed borrowers. Where a salaried borrower uses W-2
forms to document income, tax returns are used by a
self-employed borrower. Self-employed borrowers may be able
to use their individual returns, corporate returns and profit and
loss statements in demonstrating their income.
If you do not show enough income on your tax returns or prefer not to provide
them, we have many "No income verification" loans available. To apply for one of these
loans click here
There are a few differences in how loans are processed and underwritten for
self-employed borrowers.
1) An underwriter will want copies of two years of business and personal (if
different) tax returns and a year-to-date profit and loss statement.
2) The income used to qualify for your loan is an average of the
previous two years adjusted tax returns together with a
year-to-date profit and loss statement.
Advanced Explanation
This looks more complicated than it is, but if you really want to know how an
underwriter would adjust your income, we have provided a guide. This guide for
self-employed borrowers, adjusts the gross income as an underwriter might to
evaluate credit worthiness on a mortgage loan.
From your individual tax return (1040)
1) Begin with your adjusted gross income
2) Add to this figure:
A) Tax-exempt interest income
B) Schedule C, Business Income or Loss - Depletion and Depreciation
C) Non-taxable IRA, Pension, Annuity, Social Security distributions
D) Schedule E and F - Depreciation
E) IRA Deductions
F) Self-Employed Health Insurance
G) Keogh Retirement Plan
H) Penalties For Early Withdrawal
I) Form 4562 Amortization and Form 8582 Carryovers
3) Subtract from this figure:
A) Wages, salary considered elsewhere
B) Taxable interest, dividend and refund income
C) Meals and Entertainment exclusion on Schedule C
D) Any Unemployment Compensation
E) Form 2106 Unreimbursed expenses (not fully deductible)
F) Form 8582 Unallowed Losses
Total individual return
If you show enough income to qualify for loan above, then quit.
Otherwise, if you can show evidence of access to funds of the
corporation continue with the following.
From Form 1120
A) Begin with Taxable Income and Subtract Total Tax
B) Add Back Depreciation and Depletion
C) Subtract any mortgages, bonds or notes payable in less than one year
D) Multiply this by borrower's percentage of ownership
E) Subtract dividend income reflected on borrower's individual tax returns