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Self-Employed

A 1099 is a tax form, not a mortgage decision on its own. Here is the public guidance on how self-employment income gets documented, and how Texana describes its 1099 review.

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Being self-employed does not mean starting from zero — it means a different documentation path.

Independent contractors, freelancers and sole proprietors sometimes assume a mortgage is out of reach without W-2s. Public IRS and agency guidance treats self-employment as a documented income type with its own rules, not an automatic obstacle.

Two different reviews show up in that guidance. Conventional and agency underwriting generally starts from signed federal tax returns, including Schedule C for a sole proprietor. Separately, some Non-QM programs — including the 1099 path Texana describes on its own site — review 1099 forms instead of full tax returns. Neither path is an automatic approval; credit, assets, property and full underwriting still apply.

Bottom line: a 1099 or a Schedule C is a tax document, not a mortgage decision by itself — but public guidance describes more than one way a lender can document self-employment income.

Two ways self-employment income gets documented.

The tax-return path

Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide (B3-3.5-01) treats 25%+ ownership as self-employment and generally works from two years of signed federal tax returns, or transcripts, plus a written cash-flow analysis.

The 1099 path

Texana’s 1099 page describes reviewing 1 to 2 years of 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC or 1099-K forms from clients or platforms as an alternative to tax returns.

Schedule C is the tax-return math

Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide (B3-3.6-03) describes adjusting Schedule C net profit for recurring and non-recurring items — a different calculation than a 1099 total.

Why a 1099 total and a tax return can show different numbers.

A 1099 reports what a business was paid. A tax return reports what is left after deductions. Two different reviews can look at the same self-employment and reach different qualifying-income figures.

What "self-employed" means

The IRS treats a sole proprietor, an independent contractor, a partnership member, or someone running a gig or part-time business, as self-employed. Most sole proprietors and many gig workers report profit or loss on Schedule C, and self-employment tax is figured on Schedule SE.

What a 1099 actually is

A Form 1099-NEC reports nonemployee compensation paid to a contractor. It is a tax information return, not a mortgage decision on its own — some Non-QM programs use the totals as an income source, but not every lender does.

The agency tax-return path

Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide describes signed federal tax returns, generally two years, with documented exceptions, and a written cash-flow analysis for a self-employed borrower, adjusting Schedule C profit for items such as depreciation and non-recurring income. Freddie Mac’s Income Calculator FAQ describes one year of Schedule C data when a business has existed five or more years, and two years when it has existed less than five.

The 1099 path Texana describes

Texana’s 1099 loan page describes reviewing 1 to 2 years of 1099 forms from clients or platforms and applying an expense factor to gross 1099 income to arrive at qualifying income — a different calculation than the Schedule C adjustments used on the tax-return path.

Do not let self-employed income get oversimplified.

"A stack of 1099s is an automatic approval"

No. A 1099 is a tax form. Credit, assets, property, occupancy and full underwriting still apply on any path.

"My 1099 total is my qualifying income"

Not necessarily. Texana’s public description applies an expense factor to gross 1099 income before arriving at a qualifying number; a Schedule C review makes its own adjustments to net profit.

"Every lender documents self-employment the same way"

No. The CFPB notes that self-employed and irregular-income borrowers should expect more documentation, and requirements vary by lender and program — ask which path applies before assuming.

Keep the borrower path connected.

Sources checked September 22, 2026. The IRS Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center (last reviewed June 28, 2026) and About Form 1099-NEC (last reviewed June 7, 2026) define self-employment and the 1099 form. Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide B3-3.5-01 and B3-3.6-03 describe the conventional tax-return underwriting path. Freddie Mac’s Income Calculator FAQ describes Schedule C documentation timelines. The CFPB describes self-employed documentation expectations (last modified December 12, 2024) and the difference between soft and hard credit inquiries (last reviewed September 5, 2025). Texana’s 1099 page is the source for Texana’s own process statements. Educational content only — not a rate quote, approval, or commitment to lend.

Want your 1099 or Schedule C income reviewed?

Bring your 1099 forms or tax returns, business type, purchase or refinance goal, assets, and credit range. We will review the file before guessing which documentation path fits.

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What borrowers say about Texana Bank

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Gary McDay

I had an excellent experience working with my texana bank mortgage from start to finish. They were extremely professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and made the entire mortgage process feel much easier than I expected. They took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all of my questions, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. I always felt like I had someone in my corner who genuinely cared about helping me reach my goals. If you’re looking for a mortgage broker who is trustworthy, dependable, and willing to go the extra mile for their clients, I highly recommend them. I truly appreciate all of their hard work and would definitely work with them again!

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I was about to go with another company for this refinance no cash out until I received a call from this Adam McCormick. He was so knowledgeable and made me feel very comfortable with this process. Adam is knowledgeable ,courteous, understanding and has a real passion and patience for people. 👍We are at the closing. Thank you Adam McCormick!!

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Working with Greg Darlin has been an awesome experience. An honest and sincere individual. He is to the point and very very knowledgeable. I appreciate the fact that he didn’t try to give me the run around and through the entire process I learned a few things. Thank you.