Typical income documentation requirements – Canadian mortgage

Below are the typical income documentation requirements for each type of income.

  • Salaried employees & commission income

    Salaried

    Salaried and hourly employees may need to supply:

    • A job letter and a recent pay stub to show consistent salary

    If your hours aren’t guaranteed or if there is a lot of overtime, you may also be asked for a 2-year income history.

    Commissioned

    Commissioned salespeople typically need the same documents as a salaried employee except they may also need to provide:

    • 2 years of T1 Generals with corresponding NOA’s – Notice of Assessments to establish a 2-year income average.

     

  • Self-employed: Incorporated & Sole Proprietor

    Incorporated

    Self-employed clients who are incorporated and can provide traditional income verification may need to supply:

    • Most current T1 General including statements of business activities. To establish a stable income, but also so a lender can see your sources of income.
    • Confirmation of no taxes owed
    • Accountant prepared company financials supported by business bank statements. To establish your company is in good financial standing and to compare the income level being pulled out of the company is sustainable.
    • Current corporate search to confirm business ownership.

     

    Sole Proprietor

    Self-employed clients who are sole proprietors and can provide traditional income verification may need to supply:

    • Most current T1 General including statements of business activities. To establish a stable income, and so a lender can see their sources of income.
    • Confirmation no taxes owed
    • One of the following: Business license/registration, trade license, or GST registrations/returns to prove business ownership/partnership

     

    Alternative provable income & other documentation

    Alternative provable income verification

    This is a proprietary, specialized approach using gross-ups and add-backs available.

    Alternative verification of income can be provided via the following documents:

    Sole proprietor/partnership

    • Most current T1 General
    • Confirmation no taxes owed
    • Recent financial statements or statement of business activities to indicate a level of income
    • One of the following: business license/registration, trade license, or GST registrations/returns to prove business ownership/partnership

     

    Incorporated or limited company

    • Most current accountant prepared financials or corporate T2s
    • Most current T1 General and confirmation no taxes owed
    • Corporate search/articles of incorporation – for business ownership
    • Six months of bank statements

    Gross-ups and add-backs approach is considered in this instance.

    Other documentation

    There are other income sources that can help your client’s application get approved.

        • Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
        • Alimony/child support
        • Government and/or private pension
        • Rental property income
        • EI benefit for maternity leave

     

    Buying a Rental property — this is the income documentation needed.

    You can verify rental income via the following:

    • Full T1 Generals showing net rental income
    • If not reported in T1 General, market rent from an approved appraiser

    Verified Income

    • A job letter and recent paystub. If the client’s hours aren’t guaranteed, underwriter may also ask for a 2-year income history.

    Alternative Proveable Income

    Proprietary, specialized approach using gross-ups and add-backs.

    Sole Proprieter

    • Most current T1 General
    • Confirmation no taxes owed
    • Recent financial statements or statement of business activities supported by business bank statements
    • One of the following: business license/registration, trade license or GST registration/returns

    Incorporated or limited company

    • Most current accountant prepared financials or corporate T2s
    • Most current T1 Generals and confirmation no taxes owed
    • Corporate search/articles of incorporation
    • Six months bank statements