Proof of income: what it is and how to show it
Landlords, lenders, and dealerships all ask for proof of income. Here's what counts — and the fastest way to provide it.
- ✓Pay stubs. The standard, fastest proof of income — usually the last 2–3.
- ✓W-2s & tax returns. Annual documents lenders pair with pay stubs.
- ✓Bank statements. Often requested alongside stubs, especially for the self-employed.
COMPANY NAME
(555) 555-5555
COMPANY ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
Earnings Statement
EMPLOYEE NAME
(555) 555-5555
EMPLOYEE ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
and InformationThis PeriodYear To Date
Proof of income is any document that verifies how much money you earn. It's requested constantly: renting an apartment, financing a car, taking out a loan, or applying for services. The most common and widely accepted document is a recent pay stub.
If you don't have a pay stub on hand — because you're self-employed, between payroll cycles, or you lost one — PaystubProof generates an accurate, professional earnings statement from your real numbers in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most common proof of income?
- A recent pay stub. It shows current earnings, taxes, and year-to-date income in one document, which is why landlords and lenders ask for it first.
- How many pay stubs do I usually need?
- Most requests are for your two or three most recent pay stubs. Our 3-pack produces several at a discount.
- What if I'm self-employed?
- You can create a pay stub from your actual earnings, and you may also be asked for bank statements or tax returns. See our self-employed paystub page.
- How quickly can I get proof of income?
- With PaystubProof, minutes — enter your figures, review the live preview, and download a PDF.
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Accurate taxes, bank-safe formatting, instant PDF. Single stub $5.99 — or 3 for $14.99.
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