Mortgage lenders typically request the most recent two years of W-2s to help verify your employment history and income consistency.

The goal is not necessarily to prove you’ve worked for the same employer for two years. Rather, lenders want to establish a stable employment history and understand how your income has been earned over time.

Two years of W-2s can help underwriters:

• Verify your employment history
• Confirm the income reported on your application
• Evaluate bonus, commission, overtime, or variable income
• Identify multiple jobs or employment changes
• Ensure your income is stable and likely to continue

If you’ve changed jobs, been promoted, or transitioned into a new career, your W-2s often help tell the story of your employment history and can prevent unnecessary underwriting questions later in the process.

Providing them up front can help keep your loan moving smoothly and reduce documentation requests during underwriting.