By what percentage can non-taxable income be grossed up if housing expenses are more than 33% of income?

In the context of mortgage lending, when a borrower has non-taxable income, lenders often allow that income to be "grossed up" to better reflect its real value for qualifying purposes. This gross-up can occur because non-taxable income does not incur federal income taxes, meaning that it has a higher effective value compared to taxable income.

In this situation, if housing expenses exceed 33% of a borrower's income, lenders commonly grant a gross-up percentage of 25% for non-taxable income. This approach acknowledges that the borrower has significant housing expenses relative to their income, and the additional gross-up allows for a more favorable assessment of their financial capability.

Thus, the choice of a 25% gross-up is based on the standard industry practice, reinforcing that lenders recognize the implications of high housing costs in relation to a borrower’s earnings. Therefore, the gross-up percentage is specifically calibrated at this level to assist borrowers under particular financial circumstances in qualifying for mortgage financing.