Self-Employment Income Letter (Free Template + How to Write One)

When you work for yourself, people will eventually ask for an income letter.

Landlords, lenders, and agencies use it to confirm three simple things:

That you are self-employed
What you actually do
How much you typically earn

The good news? You don’t need a lawyer or accountant to create one. A self-employment income letter is simply a short, clear statement that explains your business and income in plain English.

This guide gives you:

A clear explanation of what an income letter is
Exactly what to include (and what to leave out)
Copy-and-paste self-employment income letter templates
Examples for landlords, lenders, and general use
How to attach supporting documents like pay stubs and bank statements

If you’re new here, SelfEmployedDocs.com helps self-employed people, freelancers, and contractors create clean, professional documentation, including self-employed pay stubs that are easy for landlords and lenders to understand.

What Is a Self-Employment Income Letter?

A self-employment income letter is a simple written statement that confirms:

Your name and contact information
Your business name (if you use one)
The type of work you do
How long you’ve been self-employed
Your average monthly or annual income
Any important notes about your income (seasonal, variable, etc.)

It’s usually one page or less. The goal is to give the reader a clear, honest snapshot of your income.

On its own, an income letter is helpful. But it becomes much more powerful when you attach supporting documents like proof of income, pay stubs, 1099s, or bank statements.

When Do You Need a Self-Employment Income Letter?

You may be asked for an income letter when you’re:

Applying for an apartment or rental home
Requesting a car loan or lease
Applying for a personal loan or credit line
Verifying income for government or assistance programs
Providing income documentation in legal matters

Often the request sounds like:

“Please provide a letter verifying your income.”
“If self-employed, submit a written statement of income.”
“Include a letter explaining your self-employment and monthly income.”

That’s where this guide and the templates below come in.

What to Include in a Self-Employment Income Letter

You can think of your letter in five simple pieces:

Header – your name, address, contact info, date
Recipient – who the letter is for (landlord, lender, etc.)
Business details – what you do, how long you’ve done it
Income details – average monthly/annual income, how it’s paid
Closing – a simple statement and your signature

It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be accurate, honest, and easy to understand.

Self-Employment Income Letter Template (General Use)

You can copy, paste, and customize this template for most situations.

[Your Name]  
[Your Business Name, if applicable]  
[Street Address]  
[City, State ZIP]  
[Phone Number]  
[Email Address]  

[Date]

[Recipient Name or “To Whom It May Concern,”]  
[Company / Organization Name, if known]  

Re: Self-Employment Income Verification

I, [Your Full Name], am currently self-employed as a [Your Role, e.g., “freelance graphic designer,” 
“independent contractor,” “rideshare driver,” etc.]. I operate under the business name 
[Business Name] (if applicable) and have been self-employed since [Month, Year].

Based on my records, including bank statements and business documentation, my average gross 
income is approximately [$/month or $/year, e.g., “$4,200 per month”]. My income is received from 
[briefly describe sources, e.g., “multiple clients,” “online sales,” “contract work,” etc.] and is paid 
via [direct deposit, checks, payment platforms, etc.].

This letter is provided at your request to verify my self-employment and typical income. Supporting 
documents such as pay stubs, bank statements, and/or tax records can be provided upon request.

To the best of my knowledge, the information in this letter is true, complete, and accurate.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature (if printed)]  
[Your Typed Name]

That’s it. Simple, clear, and professional.

Self-Employment Income Letter Template for Landlords

Use this version specifically when applying for an apartment or rental home.

[Your Name]  
[Your Business Name, if applicable]  
[Street Address]  
[City, State ZIP]  
[Phone Number]  
[Email Address]  

[Date]

[Landlord or Property Management Name]  
[Property Name, if any]  
[Property Address]  

Re: Self-Employment Income Verification for Rental Application

Dear [Landlord/Property Manager Name],

I, [Your Full Name], am applying to rent the property located at [Rental Property Address]. I am 
currently self-employed as a [Your Role, e.g., “freelance web developer,” “independent contractor,” 
etc.] and have been self-employed since [Month, Year].

Over the past [number] months, my average gross income has been approximately 
[$/month, e.g., “$3,800 per month”]. This income is earned through [brief description of work, 
e.g., “ongoing client projects,” “rideshare driving,” “online sales,” etc.] and is paid by 
[direct deposit/payment platforms/checks].

To support this letter, I can provide recent bank statements, tax records, and/or self-employed 
pay stubs that show my income history and deposits.

I confirm that the information in this letter is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. 
Please let me know if you require any additional documentation.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature (if printed)]  
[Your Typed Name]

Self-Employment Income Letter Template for Lenders

This version is better when you’re applying for a car loan, personal loan, or similar credit product.

[Your Name]  
[Your Business Name, if applicable]  
[Street Address]  
[City, State ZIP]  
[Phone Number]  
[Email Address]  

[Date]

[Loan Officer Name or “To Whom It May Concern,”]  
[Bank / Lender Name]  

Re: Self-Employment Income Verification

I, [Your Full Name], am self-employed as a [Your Role, e.g., “independent consultant,” 
“freelance writer,” etc.] operating under the name [Business Name, if any]. I have been 
self-employed since [Month, Year].

Based on my financial records, including business reports and bank statements, my average gross 
income is approximately [$/month or $/year, e.g., “$5,000 per month”]. My revenue is received from 
[brief description of income sources, e.g., “a portfolio of regular clients,” “contract projects,” 
“online sales,” etc.].

To support this verification, I am able to provide recent self-employed pay stubs, bank statements, 
and/or tax returns that reflect this level of income.

I affirm that the information provided in this letter is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature (if printed)]  
[Your Typed Name]

Should You Mention Net or Gross Income?

In most self-employment income letters, people use gross income (before expenses) or a clear, consistent number that matches other documents.

Whichever number you choose:

Use it consistently across your letter, pay stubs, and applications
Make sure it matches what shows up on your bank statements over time
Be prepared to explain briefly how you calculated it if asked

For a deeper breakdown, you can also review:

Why You Should Attach Supporting Documents

An income letter is much stronger when you attach proof. Common supporting documents include:

Self-employed pay stubs
Recent bank statements (3–6 months)
1099 forms
Tax returns (Form 1040 + Schedule C)

For most applications, a good combo looks like this:

Income letter (explains your situation)
2–3 self-employed pay stubs (shows your current income)
3 months of bank statements (shows real deposits)

You can generate clean, professional self-employed pay stubs here:

👉 Create Your Self-Employed Pay Stub

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Self-Employment Income Letter

Being too vague – “I make money online” is not clear enough
Using unrealistic numbers that don’t match bank statements
Leaving out how long you’ve been in business
Not offering supporting documents like pay stubs or statements
Forgetting contact information in case they have questions

The goal is to make the reviewer’s job easy. If they can read your letter and instantly understand who you are, what you do, and how much you earn, you’ve done it right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a self-employment income letter enough by itself?

Sometimes, especially for smaller or more flexible landlords. But most lenders and larger companies prefer a letter plus documents like bank statements, pay stubs, 1099s, or tax returns.

Do I need an accountant to write this letter?

No. Many self-employed people write their own income letter. Some lenders may ask for a letter from an accountant, but often your own signed statement plus supporting documentation is enough.

Can I email the letter or does it need to be printed?

Both are common. Follow whatever instructions they gave you. If nothing is specified, a signed PDF copy is usually a safe bet.

What if my income changes month to month?

That’s normal for self-employment. In your letter, use an average monthly income based on the last 3–12 months, and support it with pay stubs and bank statements.

Do I need to get this letter notarized?

Most of the time, no. If a lender or agency specifically asks for notarization, they’ll say so in the instructions.

What to Do Next

Your self-employment income letter is just one piece of your proof-of-income story. When you combine it with clear documentation, approvals get much easier.

For next steps, you may want to review:

And when you’re ready to attach one of the most commonly accepted forms of income proof — a clean, professional self-employed pay stub — you can start here:

👉 Generate Your Self-Employed Pay Stub

If you have questions or want to suggest other templates, you can always visit the About page or reach out through the Contact Us page.