How to Get Proof of Earnings for a Self Employed Person

Business owners and the self employed jump through a few more hoops than normal employees when it comes time to verify their earnings. Get into your financial files because verification of self-employment earnings requires a bit more detailed paperwork than usual. Ask what documents you need from the entity requesting verification but expect to pull several documents from your files.

Instructions

1. Prove your self-employment earnings with your tax returns. Provide copies of your federal, state and local tax returns for the past three years to document your income. Ask the requesting entity if they need all of the attached schedules and forms or merely the top two pages of Form 1040. Expect to submit the Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax form. Provide any business, partnership or corporate tax returns you file with the Internal Revenue Service.

2. Copy your personal and business bank statements to prove current self-employment earnings. Supply copies of Form 1040ES, Estimated Tax, filed with the IRS plus documentation for any payments of estimated tax liability you have made to the IRS. Include your business financial sheet, quarterly report or signed statement from your accountant detailing the business's cash flow, if necessary.

3. Ask current business partners to document their business relationship with your company. Include the length of contract and rate of payment in a letter documenting future self-employment earnings. Submit this information to the entity requesting earnings verification only if necessary, especially if your business associates prefer privacy.

4. Include copies of court orders relating to alimony, child support or other court ordered income distribution. Copy any award or grant documentation to verify income from grants, scholarships or other awards and provide it to the requesting party.