Mortgage services provided by RTC MORTGAGE - KSMG KEYSTART MORTGAGE GROUP INC.  ·  Peter Leung, Mortgage Broker
Home  /  Self-Employed Mortgages in BC
Self-Employed · British Columbia

Self-Employed Mortgages in BC

If you own your business, lenders judge you on your net (after-write-off) income — which often understates what you really earn. As an independent broker I work with bank-statement, stated-income and traditional programs across BC, so your file finds the lender built for self-employed borrowers instead of being forced into a bank’s one-size box.

Talk to a broker who works for you

Independent advice across BC & Alberta — we shop multiple lenders so your situation finds the right fit.

You
Leads & advice come to you, not a call centre
Fast
Replies in minutes during business hours
Local
Based in Burnaby, serving the Lower Mainland
Free
No-obligation conversation to map your options

Why self-employed files get judged differently

Most lenders qualify you on Line 150 of your tax return — your income after deductions. The same legitimate write-offs that lower your taxes also lower the income a bank will count, so a thriving business can look modest on paper. The fix isn’t to pay more tax; it’s to use a lender and program that reads your real cash flow.

Three ways to qualify

  • Traditional (A-lender): two years of T1s and Notices of Assessment, income averaged — best rates when your declared income supports the mortgage.
  • Bank-statement programs: 6–12 months of business deposits estimate your true cash flow.
  • Stated / business-for-self: you state an income that is reasonable for your industry and tenure, backed by proof the business is active.

Add-backs that can lift your qualifying income

  • Capital cost allowance (depreciation)
  • Business-use-of-home expenses
  • One-time or non-recurring costs
  • Retained earnings inside a corporation

How to strengthen your application

  • Keep business and personal banking separate
  • Keep your CRA account current — arrears can stop an approval
  • Document large deposits so they can be sourced
  • Protect your personal credit alongside your income

Want the full breakdown? Download the Self-Employed Buyer’s Guide (BC/AB), or see our private lending options if timing or documentation is tight right now.

Related

Keep exploring

Questions

Frequently asked

Can I get a mortgage if I’m self-employed in BC?

Yes. Beyond traditional tax-return qualifying, bank-statement and stated-income programs assess your real business cash flow, so write-offs don’t have to block approval.

How many years do I need to be self-employed?

Most A-lenders want about two years in the same field. If you’re newer, alternative and bank-statement programs can bridge the gap until you season into A-pricing.

What is a bank-statement mortgage?

A program that estimates your income from 6–12 months of business bank deposits rather than your net tax-return income — useful when statements tell a better story than your returns.

Will writing off expenses hurt my approval?

It can, because lenders qualify on net income. The answer isn’t to overpay tax — it’s to use add-backs and the right program. A broker structures this for you.

⚡ We typically reply within minutes during business hours
Let's Talk

One conversation. A clear plan.

Tell us your situation and we'll map your best options — no pressure, no obligation.