Self-employed, ABN income, or tax returns not up to date? Low doc loans assess your income differently — using BAS, bank statements, or an accountant's letter instead of traditional tax returns.
If you're self-employed, a contractor, or a small business owner, you know your income is strong — but proving it to a traditional lender can feel impossible. Tax returns don't always tell the full story, especially when legitimate business deductions reduce your taxable income on paper.
Low doc home loans exist specifically for borrowers like you. Instead of demanding two years of tax returns and full financial statements, these loans use alternative income verification methods that better reflect your actual earning capacity.
Traditional home loans require full financial documentation that many self-employed borrowers can't easily provide:
We specialise in alternative income verification. We know which lenders accept BAS statements, bank statement analysis, accountant's declarations, and other non-standard documentation — getting self-employed borrowers approved where mainstream banks say no.
Different lenders accept different forms of income verification. Here are the main options:
| Method | How It Works | Typical Max LVR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAS Declaration | Lender reviews your recent BAS lodgements | ✓ Up to 80% | Self-employed with up-to-date BAS |
| Accountant's Letter | Your accountant certifies your income | Up to 80% | Established businesses with accountant relationship |
| Bank Statement Analysis | Lender analyses 3-6 months of business deposits | Up to 70-80% | Strong business cash flow, incomplete tax returns |
| Self-Declaration | You declare your income (limited lenders) | ✗ Up to 60-70% | Last resort when no other verification available |
| 1 Year Tax Return | Some lenders accept just 1 year instead of 2 | ✓ Up to 90% | Recent tax return available but not 2 years |
| ABN + Income Declaration | ABN held for 1-2+ years plus income declaration | Up to 75-80% | Newer businesses with active ABN |
Every self-employed borrower's situation is different. Here are some common scenarios where our low doc expertise makes the difference:
Your accountant hasn't lodged your latest returns yet, but you need to buy now. We find lenders that accept BAS or bank statements while your returns catch up.
Started your business less than 2 years ago? Some lenders only need 1 year of ABN history plus alternative income verification to approve your loan.
Your tax return shows low income due to deductions, but your real cash flow is strong. We use bank statement analysis or BAS to demonstrate your true earning capacity.
Working as a contractor with ABN income? Some lenders treat you as PAYG-equivalent if you have a long-term contract, while others require low doc assessment.
Get a quick estimate of your borrowing capacity — even with limited documentation.
Try Our Loan AssessorWe review what you CAN provide — BAS, bank statements, accountant's letter, contracts, ABN history — and determine the best verification pathway.
We identify lenders whose low doc policies match your available documentation — maximising your borrowing power with the documents you have.
We present your income evidence in the format each lender requires, addressing potential concerns upfront to minimise delays and conditions.
We manage the approval process, respond to any lender queries, and guide you through to settlement — then plan to refinance to a better rate once full docs are available.
BAS is the most commonly accepted alternative income document. Lodging your BAS on time gives you the widest choice of low doc lenders and the most favourable terms.
Low doc rates are typically 0.5-1.5% higher than full doc rates. Plan to refinance to a standard home loan once your tax returns are up to date — potentially saving thousands per year.
An accountant's letter or income declaration is a powerful verification tool. Brief your accountant on what the lender needs so the letter is prepared correctly the first time.
Low doc lenders are more flexible with larger deposits. A 20-30% deposit opens up significantly better rates and more lender options than borrowing at 80%+ LVR.