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Entrepreneur Program

Qualify on Bank Statements, Not Just Tax Returns

The Business for Self (BFS) stated income program lets entrepreneurs qualify based on realistic declared income and business operations, verified through bank statements rather than a rigid two-year tax return average.

4.49%*
Starting B-Lender Rate
2 Years
Typical Self-Employment History
Bank Statements
Primary Income Verification
300+
Lender Network
Quick Answer

Stated income, or Business for Self (BFS), mortgages allow self-employed borrowers and entrepreneurs to declare a reasonable income supported by bank statements and business activity, rather than relying solely on tax returns that may understate true earnings due to write-offs. Lenders assess plausibility against industry norms and account deposits.

  • Declared income supported by bank statements, not just tax returns
  • Reasonableness assessed against your industry and deposit history
  • Typically requires 2+ years of self-employment
  • Suits incorporated owners, sole proprietors, and commissioned earners
Built for How Entrepreneurs Earn

Your Bank Account Tells a Fuller Story Than Your Tax Return

Stated income programs bridge the gap between what you actually earn and what your Notice of Assessment shows.

Bank Statement Verification

12 months of business or personal bank statements support a declared, reasonable income figure.

Industry-Reasonable Review

Lenders compare your declared income to typical earnings in your industry and business type for plausibility.

For Owners & Commissioned Earners

Incorporated business owners, sole proprietors, and commission-based professionals are all considered.

How It Works

How Stated Income Approval Works

A structured alternative to two years of tax returns.

01

Declare Your Income

State a realistic annual income figure based on your actual business performance.

02

Bank Statement Review

12 months of statements are reviewed to support the reasonableness of the declared figure.

03

Business Verification

Business registration, licensing, or HST registration confirms active, ongoing operation.

04

Approval

Once income is deemed reasonable and supported, approval proceeds much like a standard B-Lender file.

Eligibility

Who Qualifies for BFS

This program is designed specifically around entrepreneurial and commission-based income patterns.

  • Minimum 2 years self-employed or business-for-self
  • Active business registration, HST number, or professional licensing
  • 12 months of bank statements showing consistent deposit activity
  • Declared income that is reasonable relative to industry norms
  • Minimum 10–20% down payment or equity, depending on lender
FAQ

Stated Income FAQ

What entrepreneurs ask before applying under the BFS program.

Lenders compare your stated figure against typical earnings for your industry, business size, and the deposit activity in your bank statements — it needs to be plausible, not necessarily match your Notice of Assessment exactly.
No — sole proprietors and commissioned professionals qualify too, provided you can show consistent business activity and income history.
Typically 12 months, to establish a consistent pattern of business income.
No — you'll still provide bank statements and proof of business operation. It differs from a bank mortgage by not requiring two full years of tax-return-verified income as the primary qualifier.
No — the declared figure has to be reasonable relative to your industry and supported by your bank statement deposit activity. Lenders decline files where the stated income looks implausible against the evidence.

Related Solutions

24-Hour Approval Priority Request

Apply Under the BFS Program

Tell us about your business and income — we'll confirm what's realistic to declare.

Jessica · iDream Financial
AI Assistant · Ontario mortgages
General information only, not a mortgage commitment. Rates and calculator results shown are illustrative starting points.