How Self-Employed People Can Create Pay Stubs (And Why You Need Them)
Self-employed? Here's why you still need pay stubs and how to create them for loans, leases, and income verification. Complete guide for freelancers and entrepreneurs.
JustPayStubs Team
Updated February 1, 2026
Why Self-Employed People Need Pay Stubs
Being your own boss is great -- until your landlord, bank, or lender asks for recent pay stubs. Most self-employed individuals don't have an employer generating these documents, leaving them scrambling.
Here's where self-employed pay stubs actually matter:
- Rental applications -- Landlords require income verification. Pay stubs are the most trusted form.
- Bank loans and mortgages -- Lenders want to see consistent, documented income history.
- Auto financing -- Dealerships and lenders require proof of income.
- Business bank accounts -- Some banks require income documentation when opening accounts.
- Professional presentation -- Sending clients a proper document shows you're serious about your business.
What Goes on a Self-Employed Pay Stub?
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Employer Name | Your business name (e.g., "John Smith Consulting LLC") |
| Employee Name | Your own name |
| Pay Period | The dates you're documenting |
| Gross Pay | Your revenue or the amount you paid yourself |
| Deductions | Taxes you've set aside (estimated quarterly payments) |
| Net Pay | Your actual take-home amount |
Step-by-Step: How to Create Your Self-Employed Pay Stub
- Go to justpaystubs.com/paystub/create
- Enter your business name as the employer
- Enter your own name as the employee
- Set your pay type (hourly or salary)
- Enter your pay amount and pay period
- Select your state for accurate tax calculations
- Choose a professional template
- Download your PDF instantly
Ready to Create Your Self-Employed Pay Stub?
Our pay stub generator handles all the tax calculations automatically. Professional templates, all 50 states supported, instant PDF download.
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