Don’t let an outdated tax return hold back your clients – Carton
For self-employed borrowers, proving income has always been one of the more complex parts of the mortgage journey.
While employed applicants can often rely on recent payslips, business owners, freelancers and contractors need up-to-date accounts and tax documentation to demonstrate their earnings. And with an important tax deadline approaching, brokers have a valuable opportunity to help their clients stay mortgage-ready.
As we move further into 2026, lenders will increasingly be unable to rely on older tax documentation as evidence of a self-employed applicant’s current income. Once previously submitted tax returns become more than 18 months old, they may no longer meet lending criteria, potentially creating delays or even preventing borrowers from progressing with their mortgage application.
This opens up an opportunity for brokers to engage with self-employed clients who have not yet completed and submitted their latest tax return to encourage them to act now.
Many self-employed people are focused on running successful businesses, and tax paperwork can understandably slip down the priority list. However, leaving it too late could have unintended consequences if they’re planning to buy a home, remortgage, move property or review their borrowing options in the coming months.
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The challenges of lending criteria
The UK’s self-employed community still occasionally faces challenges when accessing mortgage finance. At Leeds Building Society, we believe lending should reflect the realities of modern working lives. That’s why we’ve continued to look for ways to support a broader range of borrowers, including those whose income patterns don’t fit a traditional model.
One area where brokers may not realise we can help is through our Income Plus range of mortgages.
Historically, some lenders have taken a more restrictive approach when assessing affordability, particularly where applicants have multiple income streams or more complex earnings profiles. Self-employed income can sometimes be overlooked or only partially recognised when borrowers are assessed against higher-income lending criteria.
For brokers, this creates an opportunity for meaningful conversations with clients who may have assumed they would struggle to qualify for certain lending solutions. It also reinforces the importance of having the most up-to-date financial documentation available. Even the most flexible lending proposition relies on current, robust evidence of income.
By encouraging clients to get their tax returns submitted promptly and exploring suitable mortgage propositions, brokers can help ensure more self-employed borrowers are in the strongest possible position when opportunity knocks.
