What Is a Proof of Income Letter?
A proof of income letter is a short, formal letter confirming how much someone earns, used for rental applications, loans and benefits paperwork when pay stubs alone aren't accepted or available.
What is a proof of income letter?
A proof of income letter is a short, signed statement — usually from an employer, but sometimes self-written for the self-employed — confirming a person's income: how much they make, how often, and since when. It's less detailed than a pay stub or tax return, which is exactly why it's requested: it's a quick, human-readable confirmation rather than a full financial record.
When do you need one?
Landlords ask for it during rental applications, often alongside pay stubs or bank statements. Lenders sometimes want it to supplement a loan application. It also comes up in visa, immigration and benefits paperwork where a specific, dated confirmation of income is required rather than a raw document dump.
What should it include?
The employee's or self-employed person's name, the income amount and how often it's paid (hourly, weekly, annually), how long they've held the job or earned at that rate, and the name, title and contact information of whoever is confirming it — an employer's HR representative, manager, or, for the self-employed, the person themselves along with supporting documentation like tax returns if requested.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I write my own proof of income letter if I'm self-employed?
Yes — since there's no employer to confirm it, self-employed people typically write their own and back it up with tax returns, bank statements, or invoices if the recipient asks for more.
How is this different from an employment verification letter?
A proof of income letter is about the income amount specifically. An employment verification letter confirms the job itself — title, dates, status — and often doesn't include a dollar figure at all. See our employment verification letter guide for the full comparison.
Does a proof of income letter need to be notarized?
Usually not — a signature and company letterhead (or contact details for follow-up verification) are typically enough, though some specific programs may ask for notarization.