Primemax Mortgage Group

1. Tax return transcripts from the IRS: This is to verify that the tax returns provided are the actual ones provided to the lender
2. W2 transcripts: This verifies the W2’s provided are the actual ones
3. Income tax debts owed: If money was owed on the most recent tax return, it could still be a potential outstanding lien or payment
4. Additional business losses: There could be a business that has losses and could reduce the borrower’s total income
5. Tax returns are actually filed: We have had a couple recently where borrowers provided tax returns for previous years that were never filed. This would never work because the tax returns could be change or never even get filed
6. Extra properties that are owned: If the borrower is using a first time buyer product, there can’t be other properties listed or mortgage interest reported. Always disclose property you own
7. Un-reimbursed employee expenses: If a borrower is commissioned income accounting for over 25% and there are un-reimbursed employee expenses written off, it could lower the qualifying income
8. Business expenses paid by the business: Some products require that the tax returns show the debt being written off by the business to exclude the debt from debt ratios
9. Determining nontaxable income: Some sources of income are nontaxable and to gross up the income, it must be shown as non-taxable income on the returns or some cases not shown on the returns if allowed
10. And of course a good thing, trying to find any income that can be counted for the borrower

We get the argument a lot from borrowers that this should not matter but most do not realize the amount of fraud or mistakes that are on tax returns and that is why lenders have to obtain transcripts of tax returns to close a mortgage loan in many circumstances.

So to avoid delays or issues late in the process, it is best to provide all documentation requested at once and up-front.  Then it can be reviewed, accurate income and debt ratios calculated, and have more confidence later in the process.