Bankers underwrite loans primarily from tax returns, particularly at the community bank level. Personal tax returns are used to evaluate business owners and guarantors. This program focuses on the Form 1040 and determining what reported income (expense) involves cash inflow (outflow). We contrast the “income” driven nature of consumer lending with the “cash flow” focus of business lenders. Using case examples and worksheets, we’ll cover how to analyze personal tax returns to develop cash flow within a simple, logical and consistent framework. It provides the tools needed to reduce voluminous amounts of forms and schedules into a concise, relevant picture of personal cash flow from the business entities tied to the Form 1040 (sole proprietorships, rental property and farms).

Specific subjects that will be covered during the seminar:

• The limitations of personal financial statements and why more information is needed
• Why personal tax returns can be difficult to analyze and how to target relevant information consistently
• Using tax return data to validate assets and liabilities, plus uncover unreported liabilities
• Understanding the spectrum of situations, how some income (or loss) does not involve cash, plus linking types of income/cash flow to the primary tax return schedules
• Cash flow approaches for businesses connected to the personal tax return, namely sole proprietorships, rental property and farms
• Recent tax law changes and likely effects on customers’ tax returns