P&L Loans: A Flexible Solution for Self-Employed Borrowers

For millions of self-employed Americans, qualifying for a home loan has always been a challenge. Traditional underwriting focuses heavily on tax returns — documents that often show a lower taxable income due to legal deductions and business write-offs. While these deductions help reduce tax liability, they can also make it harder to qualify for a mortgage using conventional methods.
That’s where P&L (Profit & Loss) Loans step in. These programs offer a more realistic, common-sense approach for entrepreneurs, contractors, gig-economy workers, and anyone who runs their own business. Instead of relying on tax returns, the lender evaluates income based on a professionally prepared P&L statement. This makes the program a powerful option for borrowers whose true income is not fully reflected on their tax filings.
Why Lenders Use a Profit & Loss Statement
A Profit & Loss statement provides a clear financial picture of the business — revenue coming in, expenses going out, and the actual net profit being earned. For many self-employed borrowers, this document paints a far more accurate representation of their ability to repay a loan.
However, because a P&L loan removes tax returns from the equation, lenders require the P&L to be credible, consistent, and prepared by a trusted professional. That’s why the lender will only accept a P&L completed by one of the following:
- A Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- A CTEC-registered tax preparer
- An IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) with active status
Borrowers can verify an Enrolled Agent’s status using the official IRS directory below:
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IRS Enrolled Agent Lookup:
https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
These requirements ensure the lender receives accurate and verifiable financial documentation from a qualified tax professional.
What the P&L Needs to Cover
To assess income stability, lenders require the P&L to reflect 24 consecutive months of business activity. This can be done in one of two ways:
- A single 24-month P&L, covering the most recent two years, or
- A combination of statements, such as:
- Year 1 P&L
- Year 2 P&L
- Year-to-Date P&L
The lender compares these periods to confirm that income is stable or increasing — a key factor in approval. If income fluctuates moderately (as it often does in self-employment), that’s okay; what matters most is that the overall trend is not declining.
Who Benefits Most From a P&L Loan?
P&L loans are ideal for business owners who:
- Write off significant expenses
- Earn uneven or seasonal income
- Have strong gross revenue but lower taxable income
- Prefer not to provide tax returns
- Need a streamlined alternative documentation loan
This is especially powerful for tradespeople, small business owners, real estate agents, rideshare drivers, consultants, and freelancers — anyone whose tax returns simply don’t reflect their true financial strength.
Why This Loan Is More Important Than Ever
With traditional lenders tightening income guidelines and many bank-statement lenders scaling back programs, P&L loans have become one of the few remaining flexible qualifying options for self-employed borrowers. Having the right documentation — and preparing it correctly the first time — can mean the difference between an approval and a delay.
That’s why working with a mortgage professional who understands these programs deeply is essential.
Ready to Explore Your Options? Let’s Talk.
Every self-employed borrower’s story is different, and your loan strategy should reflect that. If you’d like to see whether a P&L loan works for your situation — or if you want help gathering the right documentation — I’m here for you.
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Schedule a meeting with Garrick:
https://www.freshhomeloan.com/contact-us
I’ll walk you through the guidelines, help you avoid common mistakes, and show you the best path to approval.
Garrick Werdmuller has been self-employed since the age of 29 and is the President and CEO of Fresh Home Loan Inc., an independent mortgage brokerage serving the Bay Area and Central Valley. Garrick has helped hundreds of self-employed borrowers secure home loans — including many who were previously denied elsewhere. His mission is simple: make homeownership accessible for entrepreneurs and business owners.
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