Self Employed Home Loans › Can I get a home loan with one year of tax returns?

Can I get a home loan with one year of tax returns?

Often yes. While many lenders prefer two years, a number will assess self employed borrowers on a single year of tax returns, especially where the figures are strong and the business is established in the same field you worked in before.

Written by Ross McFarlane, Licensed Mortgage Broker (Credit Representative 526725). About the author

Why this matters

A single strong year can be enough with the right lender, which matters if your business is growing fast and last year understates where you are now. The lender wants confidence the income is sustainable, so context helps: a steady industry, prior experience, and clean financials all strengthen a one year application.

The key points

Some lenders assess on one year of tax returns.
Strong, sustainable figures make this easier.
Prior experience in the same field supports the case.
Not every lender allows it, so the choice of lender is key.

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What is your goal?

Buy a home or investment property First home, next home, or adding to your portfolio Build a house or develop land New build, renovation, duplex, or subdivision project Lower my current repayments Better rate, release equity, or restructure existing debt Finance an established commercial property Business premises or commercial investment asset

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More self employed home loans questions

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Last reviewed: June 2026

General information only. This page provides general information about home loans and is not financial or credit advice, a quote, or a guarantee, and your personal circumstances have not been considered. Lending policies, interest rates, fees and eligibility vary by lender and change over time. Always confirm your own situation with a licensed mortgage broker or lender before acting. Ross McFarlane (Credit Representative 526725) is an authorised Credit Representative of Australian Associated Advisers Pty Ltd t/a Keylend, Australian Credit Licence 392169.