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Updated for 2025 • SelfEmployedDocs

How to Prove Income for Self-Employed Gig Workers (DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, etc.)

If you drive for Uber, deliver for DoorDash, shop for Instacart, or work for any gig app, there’s a good chance someone has already asked you for proof of income. And if they haven’t yet… they will.

Landlords, car dealerships, loan companies, even utility companies all want the same thing:

“Show us proof of how much you make.”

But gig workers don’t receive traditional pay stubs — which makes everything 10x more annoying. The good news? You have multiple ways to prove your income, and some of them are a lot easier than you think.

The fastest and cleanest way to show income as a gig worker

If you want something professional-looking and easy to understand, nothing works better than a pay stub.

Since gig apps classify you as a self-employed contractor, it’s completely normal (and legal) to create your own pay stub based on your real deposits.

Yes — gig workers can legally make their own pay stubs.
As long as the income is real and matches what you actually earn, you’re simply documenting your earnings in a clean format.
Need a pay stub for DoorDash, Uber, or Instacart?

Create a clean, credible pay stub in minutes based on your real gig income.

Generate My Pay Stub →

Other documents gig workers can use as proof of income

You’re not limited to pay stubs — you can use multiple supporting documents depending on what someone asks for.

✔ 1. Bank statements (most commonly accepted)

Every deposit from gig apps shows up on your bank statements. These are incredibly useful because they’re easy to read and come directly from your financial institution.

Pro tip: Highlight or circle gig-related deposits to make it easier for whoever is reviewing it.

✔ 2. Earnings summaries from gig apps

Most gig apps offer downloadable earnings reports:

  • Uber → Earnings → Download tax summary
  • DoorDash → Account → Tax documents
  • Instacart → Earnings → Yearly summary
  • Grubhub → Earnings → Pay statements

These reports show your weekly or yearly earnings directly from the platform.

✔ 3. 1099 forms (for year-end documentation)

If it’s tax season, you’ll receive a 1099-NEC or 1099-K. Lenders understand these forms and accept them as official income proof.

✔ 4. Personal bookkeeping records

If you track your income using QuickBooks, Wave, or even a spreadsheet, you can show:

  • monthly totals
  • weekly summaries
  • year-to-date earnings

They don’t need to be fancy — they just need to be accurate.

When a pay stub is the best option

Here’s the truth:

Most lenders and landlords want a document that looks familiar. Bank statements confuse them. Gig earnings screenshots look messy. A pay stub? They instantly recognize it.

That’s why creating a simple, clean pay stub is often the quickest way to get approved with zero questions.

How to create a pay stub as a gig worker (step-by-step)

1. Add up your weekly or monthly gig earnings

Use your average from DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, etc.

2. Go to the Self-Employed Pay Stub Generator

Open the income tool →

3. Enter your personal info

  • Name
  • Address
  • Job title (e.g., Delivery Driver, Rideshare Driver)

4. Select pay frequency

  • Weekly
  • Biweekly
  • Semi-monthly
  • Monthly

5. Enter your income

Use your true, average earnings. Don’t inflate it.

6. Generate and download your pay stub

You’ll instantly get a professional PDF you can submit anywhere.

Need clean income proof for your gig job?

Create a professional pay stub in minutes based on your real earnings.

Create My Pay Stub Now →

FAQ: Proof of Income for Gig Workers

Do gig workers need pay stubs?

Yes — in most cases, pay stubs are the easiest and most widely accepted proof of income for self-employed drivers and delivery workers.

Will a self-made pay stub work for an apartment?

Yes. Millions of gig workers use self-created pay stubs as proof of income. As long as the income is real, it’s legitimate.

What do lenders usually ask for?

Most commonly: pay stubs, bank statements, or gig app earnings summaries.

Do I need an LLC to prove income?

No. You can prove income under your personal name. LLCs are optional.

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