Check eligibility

Write-offs welcome · For self-employed business owners

Self-employed? Get a mortgage without tax returns.

Buy or refinance a home without handing over your tax returns. Built for business owners whose deductions make their income look smaller than it is.Buy or refinance with no tax returns. Built for business owners.

Keep every deduction

  • Line 9Work truck
  • Line 13Equipment
  • Line 24bClient meals
  • Line 30Home office
  • No tax returns required
  • Purchase or refinance
  • This form won't affect your credit

Free eligibility check

See if you qualify without tax returns

6 quick questions · About a minute · No credit check to start

Question 1 of 6

What are you looking to do?
Backed by a real bankPresidential Bank, FSB
FDIC-insured bankSince 1985
All 50 statesNMLS #421593
Equal Housing Lender

The line 31 problem

Why it's harder to get a mortgage when you're self-employed

Your tax return is built to shrink your income. Most lenders read it anyway.

When a lender requires tax returns, it starts from your net profit: line 31 on Schedule C, the number left after every deduction. Writing off the truck, the equipment and the home office is smart tax planning. It also makes your income look smaller on paper.

Our program doesn't require tax returns, so you can keep filing the way your tax professional recommends.

  • Keep your tax strategy. No amended returns and no waiting a year to report more income.
  • Work with a specialist. Someone who works with business owners and understands how your income works.
  • Know what's needed. A clear document list after your first conversation.
Check my eligibility
Line 31 is where tax-return lending starts. Illustrative figures, not real taxpayer data.

Who it's for

Built for people who sign the front of the check.

Self-employed home loans for sole proprietors, LLC and S-corp owners, and 1099 contractors. Whether you file a Schedule C or own a business, lending that relies on tax returns often misreads your income.

  • You're self-employed, a 1099 earner or a business owner
  • Your write-offs make your taxable income look low
  • You're buying a home or refinancing one you own
  • Credit scores down to 500 are considered
  • Contractors & trades
  • Real estate agents
  • Consultants
  • Salon & spa owners
  • Restaurant owners
  • E-commerce sellers
  • Owner-operator truckers
  • Freelancers & creatives
  • Medical & dental practices
  • Landscapers
  • Insurance agents
  • Photographers

How it works

Three steps. Zero tax returns.

  1. 1

    Answer six quick questions

    It takes about a minute and won't affect your credit.

  2. 2

    Talk with a self-employed loan specialist

    Someone who works with business owners every day and understands how your income works.

  3. 3

    Get your document list

    A clear, specific list of what your loan needs. Tax returns won't be on it.

Buying

Don't wait for next year's tax return.

Start your home search without waiting on another filing season.

Refinancing

Refinance without the tax-return roadblock.

Replace your current mortgage without sending a single tax return.

Self-employed home buying guide

How to buy a house when you're self-employed

Buying a home while self-employed follows the same steps as any purchase. The difference is how you prove your income. Here's how to get ready to buy a home as a business owner, freelancer or 1099 contractor.

  1. 1

    Know how lenders see your income

    Most mortgages qualify self-employed borrowers on the net income from their tax returns, usually the last two years. If write-offs make that number low, look for a program that doesn't require tax returns.

  2. 2

    Check your credit

    Pull your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute any errors before you apply. A higher score can open more loan options and better pricing.

  3. 3

    Gather the documents that show what you earn

    Depending on the program, that can include business or personal bank statements, a profit-and-loss statement, 1099s or proof of assets.

  4. 4

    Keep business and personal money separate

    Run business income through a dedicated business account. Clean, consistent deposits make your income easier to document.

  5. 5

    Plan your down payment and reserves

    Programs for self-employed borrowers can ask for more cash at closing than a conventional loan. Your loan officer will give you the exact amount for your situation.

  6. 6

    Talk to a lender that works with the self-employed

    Choose a lender with programs built for business owners, so your write-offs don't work against you. Checking your eligibility here takes about a minute and won't affect your credit. Start your eligibility check.

About us

A real bank behind your loan

Outside the Box Lending Programs are offered by Presidential Bank Mortgage. Presidential Bank Mortgage is a division of Presidential Bank, FSB, a privately held, FDIC-insured bank founded in 1985 in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1995, Presidential became the first bank in the U.S. to offer accounts online.

  • Licensed to lend in all 50 states
  • Processing, underwriting and closing handled in-house
  • Same ownership and management since day one
  • Local branch in Salt Lake City, Utah

Questions

Self-employed mortgage questions

Still have a question? A licensed loan officer will answer it after your eligibility check.

Is this a no-doc loan?

No. You won't provide tax returns, but you'll still document that you can afford the loan. Your specialist will tell you exactly what your program uses.

Can I buy a home if I'm self-employed?

Yes. Self-employed borrowers can buy a home or refinance one they own. Traditional loans usually ask for two years of tax returns. Programs like ours don't require tax returns, so your write-offs don't lower the income we look at.

Is it harder to get a mortgage when you're self-employed?

It can be with a traditional loan, because write-offs lower the income lenders see on your tax returns. Programs that don't require tax returns look at your income a different way.

What is a bank statement loan?

A bank statement loan is a mortgage for self-employed borrowers that uses business or personal bank statements, instead of tax returns, to show income. Your loan officer can tell you whether it's the right fit for you.

What documents do I need instead of tax returns?

Depending on the program, that can include business or personal bank statements, a profit-and-loss statement, or your assets. After a short conversation you'll get a specific list for your situation.

Do I need to change how I file my taxes?

No. Keep your deductions and keep working with your tax professional. This program doesn't require your tax returns.

How long do I need to be self-employed?

Requirements vary by program. Tell us how long you've been in business in the eligibility check, and your specialist will go over the options that fit.

Will checking hurt my credit?

No. This form doesn't pull your credit. If you decide to apply, you'll authorize a credit check as part of the application.

Are rates different from a conventional loan?

They can be. Programs that don't require tax returns may have different rates, fees and terms than conventional loans. Your specialist will walk you through the costs so you can compare options.

Can I refinance a home I already own?

Yes. The program covers home purchases and refinances. Ask your specialist about cash-out options.

Your tax return doesn't tell the whole story.

Find out what you can qualify for without it. It takes about a minute.

Check my eligibility
Check my eligibility