7 Best Mortgage Lenders That Do Not Require Tax Returns

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Self-employed individuals or those with complex financial situations may struggle to qualify for traditional mortgages due to tax return requirements, but there are lenders offering tax return-free mortgage options, which we evaluated for accessibility, documentation needs and pros and cons.

Nothing is certain but death and taxes. However, a tax return that realistically reflects your earnings to a mortgage lender? There’s no guarantee. That’s especially true for people who are self-employed — entrepreneurs, heirs or anyone else whose financial picture isn’t portrayed by income tax returns may struggle to qualify for traditional mortgage loans. Fortunately, there are mortgage lenders that do not require tax returns.

We consulted experts about these lenders, the additional steps and documentation you should be ready to furnish, the availability of such lenders and the pluses and minuses to consider when taking out a tax form-free loan. We evaluated hundreds of options, verifying that our selected lenders furnish loans that don’t require tax returns and focused on companies offering online mortgage solutions to ensure accessibility.

7 Best Mortgage Lenders That Do Not Require Tax Returns

• Best Overall: CrossCountry Mortgage
• Best for Self-Employed: New American Funding
• Best for Investors: Greenbox Loans
• Best for Refinancing: Caliber Home Loans
• Best Bank Statement Loan: Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions
• Best for First-Time Buyers: Union Home Mortgage
• Best for Retired Borrowers: Griffin Funding

Best Overall: CrossCountry Mortgage

Pros:

• Offers a wide variety of mortgage options to suit different needs and financial situations
• Features accessible credit score requirements
• Provides $4,000 in down payment assistance, making homeownership more achievable for first-time buyers
• Prioritizes support for first-time homebuyers with flexible and inclusive lending solutions

Cons:

• Higher interest rates for non-traditional loan options
• Limited physical branches, which may reduce in-person support
• Down payment assistance programs may have strict eligibility requirements

CrossCountry Mortgage earned Benzinga’s top spot among mortgage lenders that don’t require tax returns, owing in large part to its stellar customer reviews. Customers praise the lender’s fast, efficient closing process and excellent communication.

CrossCountry Mortgage can work with borrowers with credit scores as low as 580. Its bank statement mortgage loan program allows you to qualify with personal or business accounts. They can lend up to $6 million to those who qualify for the program. CrossCountry Mortgage also offers FHA loans and condo loans. 

CrossCountry Mortgage is licensed to lend in California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Best for Self-Employed: New American Funding

Pros:

• Accepts credit scores as low as 580, making it accessible to a wider range of borrowers
• Offers flexible loan options, allowing you to select the best fit for your financial situation
• Features a low down payment requirement, starting at just 3% of the property's value

Cons:

• Limited loan options for non-traditional income verification
• May require higher down payments for bank statement loans
• Customer service experiences can be inconsistent

New American Funding is a good choice for self-employed borrowers who are eschewing more conventional mortgage lenders. It allows you to use bank statements to verify your income instead of trying to qualify with tax returns, W-2s or pay stubs, which you might not have with a fluctuating or lump-sum income.

New American Funding is also an excellent lender for first-time home buyers. You can opt for an FHA, USDA or VA loan. New American Funding provides educational resources to help first-timers understand the mortgage process. 

New American Funding follows a standard closing process, meaning the time to close will depend on the client and loan type. You can choose to start with a prequalification or preapproval. Prequalification doesn’t involve verifying your income. Preapproval means underwriters have reviewed your income and assets and are reasonably confident you will qualify for a home loan.  

Best for Investors: Greenbox Loans

Pros:

• Offers competitive interest rates and favorable loan terms
• Features flexible eligibility criteria, making it accessible to a wide range of clients, regardless of financial situation
• Provides a quick and easy online application process, enabling borrowers to apply conveniently from home
• Stands out for its user-friendly approach and seamless experience

Cons:

• Higher fees compared to traditional lenders
• Limited availability in certain states

Greenbox Loans has several non-traditional loan programs. It has 12-month and 24-month bank statement programs. Depending on your credit score, you may be able to make a down payment as low as 10%. It has programs for those with a history of bankruptcy or foreclosures.

Greenbox Loans isn’t just for personal homebuyers – it also offers programs tailored for real estate investors, making it a versatile choice if you’re looking to finance investment properties. Greenbox also has traditional loan options like conventional and FHA loans. You can apply online and it publishes its rates on its website for easy comparison shopping. 

Best for Refinancing: Caliber Home Loans

Pros:

• Offers a wide variety of loan programs, catering to first-time homebuyers and experienced investors alike
• Delivers exceptional customer service, ensuring a smooth and supportive experience
• Features fast loan processing, minimizing delays and getting you approved quickly
• Provides tailored solutions to meet your unique financial needs

Cons:

• Stricter eligibility criteria for self-employed borrowers
• Limited online tools for tracking loan progress
• May have longer processing times for non-traditional loans

Caliber Home Loans’ bank statement product allows cash-out refinancing. If you’ve had your home long enough to build up equity, a cash-out refinance can help fund home improvements or consolidate debt. And best of all — no tax returns are required. 

You need a credit score of 700 or higher and a debt-to-income ratio of 35% or less. Caliber has several other portfolio products, including options for borrowers with a history of foreclosure or bankruptcy. It also offers conventional and government-backed mortgages if you ever decide to refinance the more traditional route. 

Best Bank Statement Loan: Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions

Pros:

• Specializes in non-traditional loan options, perfect for unique financial situations
• Features shorter seasoning requirements, making it easier to qualify after bankruptcies or credit challenges
• Ideal for borrowers with complex credit histories, offering flexible solutions
• Helps you secure financing faster than traditional lenders

Cons:

• Higher interest rates due to specialized loan products
• Limited branch network, reducing face-to-face support
• May require extensive documentation for income verification

Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions is a full-service mortgage lender offering traditional and portfolio non-QM (non-qualified, meaning a loan ineligible to be bought by government-backed Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) mortgage loans. The mortgage company is licensed in 45 states and offers competitive rates and quick closing times. 

Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions provides various mortgage solutions for different needs. Whether you want to purchase a home, cash out on your current property or refinance at a different rate, they have options for you.

With loan amounts available up to $3.5 million, they can help you finance properties of different values. They cater to primary residences, second homes and investment properties and accommodate various types of properties, such as single-family homes, townhomes and condos.

As an added convenience, they offer options for self-employed borrowers and real estate investors who may not have tax returns readily available. They also provide opportunities for those with 1099 income and offer government loan products like FHA, USDA and VA loans.

With competitive rates on conventional purchases and refinancing, Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions ensures you have options to suit your financial goals.

Best for First-Time Buyers: Union Home Mortgage

Pros:

• Offers innovative and flexible lending solutions tailored to diverse financial needs
• Provides specialized mortgage options for self-employed individuals, allowing income verification without tax returns
• Accepts alternative documentation for easier qualification
• Delivers excellent customer service for a seamless and supportive experience

Cons:

• Limited loan options for non-traditional income verification
• May have higher closing costs compared to competitors
• Customer service reviews can be mixed

Union Home Mortgage offers non-QM loans for people who can’t use tax returns to qualify for a mortgage. Instead of relying on traditional income documentation, this program allows you to use alternative proof of income, like bank statements, asset statements or even your business revenue.

It’s perfect for self-employed individuals, freelancers or anyone with non-traditional income streams (fun fact: the author, Emma Witman, secured a first-time home loan with Union using freelance income). The loan terms are flexible, and while rates are competitive, just keep in mind that these loans might have slightly higher interest rates or fees than traditional mortgages. 

Best for Retired Borrowers: Griffin Funding

Pros:

• Specializes in bank statement loans for self-employed borrowers
• Offers loans with competitive terms and high loan-to-value ratios
• Experienced in working with less traditional lending

Cons:

• Higher minimum credit score requirements for some loan types
• Limited availability in certain regions

Kevin Walton, a reverse mortgage loan originator and Registered Social Security Analyst at C2 Reverse Mortgage, says that for retirees, a reverse mortgage can be an excellent option that doesn’t require tax returns: “Over the last decade, significant guideline changes have made it safer and more consumer-friendly, and people are starting to take notice since people are living longer and may outlive their retirement funds and need alternative mortgage financing,” he says.

Benzinga likes Griffin Funding for its reverse mortgage program, designed for homeowners aged 62 or older who want to tap into their home equity without selling their property. Instead of making monthly mortgage payments, the loan is repaid when the homeowner moves out, sells the home or passes away. You can receive the funds as a lump sum, monthly payments or a line of credit.

Retirees should bear in mind, however, that for better or worse, interest and fees will accrue over time, reducing home equity. “The loan is unique in that you don't have to make a monthly payment at all if you desire. The interest that goes unpaid gets added to the loan balance and gets paid when the loan is refinanced or the home sells,” Walton says. “Some borrowers make monthly or periodic payments in various amounts to pay down the accruing interest.”

How to Choose a Mortgage Lender That Doesn’t Require Tax Returns

When starting the search for a mortgage lender that doesn’t require tax returns, speaking to a mortgage broker is an excellent place to start, says Brian Shahwan, Mortgage Banker & Broker at William Raveis Mortgage. “Rather than providing one set of programs and guidelines from one bank, mortgage brokers can provide options across all banks they have relationships with to ensure financing options for various situations, including programs that don’t require tax returns,” he says. 

If you want to go it alone though, we recommend you start by understanding your options. Carl Holman, Director of Communications and Content at A&D Mortgage, LLC, says a range of mortgage products that don’t require tax returns are out there: “Options like bank statement loans, asset depletion loans and DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans for investors are common alternatives,” he says. 

Greg Clement, CEO of data and real estate investing software Realeflow, says “each product has its quirks.” What’s important is to get your ducks in a row for the approval process, i.e., be prepared to furnish the documentation to show steady cash flow. “Loans that don’t require tax returns are not exactly harder to get, but you’ll jump through more hoops. Lenders require extra documentation to prove your income stability,” he says. “They generally need strong credit, a robust history of deposits and sometimes a heftier down payment. Lenders lean on these factors to offset the lack of tax return data.”

Clement adds that interest rates are often slightly higher because of the greater risk involved. And while the terms are generally comparable to traditional loans, a loan that doesn’t require tax returns might be shorter or include more stringent conditions.

As the gig economy has expanded, lenders have risen to meet the demand, so it’s wise to get rates from multiple sources. “If this route fits your profile, get your financial docs in order and compare lenders. Clarity upfront saves headaches later,” Clement says. 

Why You Should Trust Us

Benzinga has been a trusted source for the latest updates on financial markets, including trends in mortgage lending, for 15 years. The mission: provide readers of all financial backgrounds and fluency with the tools they need to make impactful financial decisions, like choosing the right mortgage lender. We also conduct thorough reviews of each bank statement mortgage lender and consult experts to learn the ins and outs of non-conventional mortgage lending.

The author, Emma Witman, brings a wealth of experience as a former newspaper journalist and has written extensively on personal finance for outlets like Business Insider, focusing on topics related to homeownership. She loves guiding consumers toward smart decisions, writing health and wellness product recommendations for publications such as This Old House, Men’s Journal and Lifehacker.

Methodology 

Benzinga evaluated more than 100 mortgage lenders to identify the top options for consumers looking for loans that don’t require tax returns. Priority was given to lenders providing various non-traditional loan options, but only those specifically offering loans that don’t require tax returns made the cut. Online lenders with digital applications and mobile apps were also prioritized, ensuring accessibility no matter where you are. Check out the full methodology for a detailed breakdown of how the rankings were determined.

FAQ

Sources:

• Greg Clement. Personal interview. 3 Feb. 2025.
• Carl Holman. Personal interview. 3 Feb. 2025.
• Brian Shawman. Personal interview. 4 Feb. 2025.
• Kevin Walton. Personal interview. 4 Feb. 2025.