Do I need 2 years of tax returns to buy a home?

For W-2 wage earners, no — pay stubs and W-2s are usually enough, and many files need only the most recent year. Two years of returns are standard for self-employed borrowers and anyone using commission or rental income.

If your returns hurt you because of business deductions, alternative-documentation loans skip them entirely and use bank deposits or 1099s. We'll tell you up front which documents your specific profile actually requires.

Related Self-Employed Questions