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Asked by: Hovhannes Jatoki
personal finance home financingWhy do banks want tax returns?
Last Updated: 20th April, 2020
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Just so, why do banks ask for tax returns?
Banks ask a number of questions about a potential borrower's assets, income and debt history. Instead, banks must independently verify the creditworthiness of each borrower. Typically, pay stubs or Form W-2s provide sufficient evidence. On occasion, though, banks might require tax returns to verify a borrower's income.
Similarly, do lenders need tax returns? Most lenders will require self-employed borrowers to document their income through their tax returns. They will receive income as well as business-related expenses on the tax return. It is common for mortgage lenders to average this type of income for the previous two to three years.
Secondly, what do banks look at on tax returns?
Tax returns verify your income Perhaps most importantly, lenders use your tax returns to verify your income. Lenders use the income declared on your returns to determine the amount of money they are willing to loan you, as well as to assess your ability to repay the loan.
Why do lenders look at bank statements?
Lenders look at bank statements before they issue you a loan because the statements summarize and verify your income. Lenders also take a look at your statements because it helps them avoid fraud and lessens their risk. Most lenders ask to see at least two months' worth of statements before they issue you a loan.