What income counts for an FHA loan?
Stable, documentable income that's likely to continue at least 3 years: W-2 base, salary, overtime/bonus/commission with two-year history, self-employment net (with two years of returns), Social Security, pension, disability, retirement income, and child support or alimony if court-ordered with documented payment history. Tip income, second-job income, and rental income from non-subject properties have specific rules.
What this actually means.
Documentation requirements vary by income type. W-2 income: pay stubs + W-2s + verification of employment. Self-employed: two years of personal and business returns + year-to-date P&L. Social Security: award letter + most recent 1099 if applicable + bank statements showing receipt. Pension: award letter + bank statements. Disability: SSDI award letter, VA disability award letter, or other private disability documentation. Child support / alimony: court order + 6–12 months of documented receipt + 3+ years of remaining duration. Non-taxable income (Social Security, some disability) can sometimes be grossed up by an underwriting factor (commonly 15–25%, lender-specific). Tip income generally needs two years of W-2 reporting. Subject to FHA/HUD guidelines and lender overlays.
What this looks like on a real file.
Where this can move.
Income type, employment history, debt ratio, reserves, automated underwriting findings, and lender overlays can change the answer.
The cleanest action from here.
Ask the question. Get the straight answer.
Send the scenario and I'll tell you what I'm seeing. No application fee. No long form just to get a basic answer.
Educational only. FHA guidelines, lender overlays, rates, fees, and underwriting requirements can change. Final eligibility depends on full underwriting review. Mortgage Expert, Inc. is not affiliated with HUD, FHA, or any government agency.