Accountant
Stated Income Mortgages for Self-Employed Accountants
Self-employed accountants and bookkeepers
The short answer
A stated income mortgage lets a self-employed accountant qualify on the earnings their practice actually generates, rather than the reduced net income left after deductions and retained earnings. Lenders review business financial statements, bank deposits and a signed income declaration instead of relying only on a T1 and Notice of Assessment.
Why the usual approach undercounts you
- You write off home office, software, vehicle, professional dues and CPD, which is legitimate — and it lowers the line the bank reads.
- Income is often left inside a corporation as retained earnings rather than drawn as personal salary.
- Seasonal billing around tax season makes a two-year personal average look uneven.
What lenders ask for instead
- Photo ID and articles of incorporation or business licence
- 6–12 months of business bank statements
- Most recent financial statements prepared for the practice
- T1 General and Notice of Assessment for the last two years
- A signed income declaration where the lender requires one
Required documents vary by lender and by file.
How the numbers usually change
A sole practitioner billing steadily through a corporation often shows a modest personal draw on their T1 while the practice supports far more. Reviewing corporate revenue and add-backs alongside the personal return typically presents a materially higher qualifying income than the T1 alone — the exact figure depends on the lender and your financials.
Not sure what your business income qualifies for?
Send a few details and we'll show you the number a self-employed lender would actually use.
Common questions
Can an accountant get a mortgage without two years of tax returns?
Some alternative lenders will consider a shorter self-employment history when business banking and financial statements support the income. Two years is the common benchmark, not an absolute rule.
Do I have to stop writing off expenses to qualify?
No. The point of a stated income mortgage is that you keep filing efficiently and the lender assesses your business income separately.
Other occupations we work with
Ready to see what you qualify for?
Send your details and we'll review your business income the way a self-employed lender does — no credit pull to start the conversation.