Salary or dividends
Bring personal tax returns, Notices of Assessment and the company financial statements that explain how you pay yourself.
Self-employed mortgages · BC & Alberta
Your business is different. Your mortgage review should reflect it.
Mortgage help for business owners, contractors and incorporated professionals in BC and Alberta. Start with how you earn, then compare the evidence and lender options that fit.
Start here
What income can a lender actually use?
Business revenue, taxable income and the income used to qualify for a mortgage are different numbers. We review your tax returns and business records before comparing a standard mortgage with an alternative-documentation option. Being self-employed does not automatically mean paying a higher rate.
Choose your starting point
Your situation shapes the application.
A practical plan
Know what needs to happen next.
Separate three numbers
List gross business revenue, net business income and personal income. Flag one-off expenses and a strong or weak year.
Check taxes and liabilities
Confirm balances owing to CRA and list personal guarantees, business borrowing and monthly obligations.
Compare the full cost
Ask for the interest rate, lender and broker fees, term, prepayment terms and what would be needed to move to a different lender.
Make the first conversation useful
Bring what you have. We’ll identify the gaps.
- Two years of personal tax returns and Notices of Assessment, where available
- Business financial statements and evidence of ownership
- Current business statements and contracts supporting ongoing earnings
- Down payment history and any outstanding tax balances
Clear answers
Before you decide
Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed in Canada?
Yes. Many self-employed borrowers qualify, but the approval path depends on how the business income is documented and which lender lane fits the file. Some qualify through full-document underwriting, some through insured self-employed guidelines, and some through BFS / Alt-A lenders.
Do self-employed borrowers always need 20% down?
No. Some self-employed borrowers can still fit insured or insurable purchase lanes, while others need more down payment or equity to fit an Alt-A/BFS solution. The right answer depends on the income lane, property, credit, and lender policy.
What documents do self-employed lenders usually want first?
Usually start with ID, recent NOAs, T1s or T2s where relevant, business financials or statements when needed, proof of down payment or equity, and a clear list of existing debts. The exact mix changes by lender and program.
What is a business-for-self or BFS mortgage?
A BFS mortgage is a lender path for self-employed borrowers whose declared taxable income may understate real earning capacity. It still requires documentation and underwriting, but the lender can sometimes rely on a broader business-evidence stack than a plain tax-return read.
Is BFS / Alt-A the same as private lending?
No. Alt-A/BFS lenders usually sit between prime and private lending. They can solve more complex income fit problems than prime lenders, but they still underwrite the deal and usually price differently from conventional prime mortgages.
When should I start a self-employed mortgage file?
Earlier than most salaried borrowers. If you are self-employed, the best time to start is before serious house hunting, renewal deadlines, or refinance pressure narrow the options. That gives time to choose the right lane and gather the right evidence once.
Rules & references
How we prepare our guidanceSources checked September 6, 2026. Lender approval and product eligibility depend on your complete application.
Pragmatic Mortgage Lending · BC & Alberta
A clear next step starts with your situation.
Tell us about your goal, timing and the part that feels complicated. We’ll explain the financing options and what each would require.