Self-employed proof of income
Lenders and landlords are slow to accept self-employed income. A clear, period-level stub paired with your tax return makes the case stronger.
What 'proof of income' actually means for the self-employed
When you're self-employed, there's no employer to vouch for your earnings. 'Proof of income' usually means a stack of documents: a tax return (Schedule C, K-1, or full 1040), bank statements showing deposits, and a period-level summary — that summary is the stub.
This template lays out a clean period: gross self-employment income, any reasonable expense or estimated-tax set-aside, and a net figure. It does not synthesize money you didn't receive.
Most underwriters average self-employed income across the last two years. Your stub should be consistent with both your tax return and your deposit history — that consistency is what gives the document its weight.
Honest, legitimate use only
These templates are for documenting income you actually earned. They are not 'fake stub' tools. We don't guarantee that any lender or landlord will accept a self-prepared document, and we don't recommend submitting one without supporting evidence like a tax return and bank statements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the strongest proof of income for self-employed people?
Typically the last two years of tax returns, year-to-date deposits, and a current-period stub. The stub alone is supporting evidence, not the whole case.
Can I make my own proof of income?
You can prepare a self-prepared income summary that documents money you actually earned. Lenders weigh self-prepared docs alongside tax returns and bank statements, not on their own.
Does a self-employed stub include withholding?
Usually no, because the self-employed pay taxes through quarterly estimated payments (1040-ES), not via payroll withholding. The stub can show a voluntary tax set-aside line, which is not the same thing.