Self-Employed Guide2026 Tax Rates

Self-Employed Paystub Generator: How to Create Your Own Pay Stubs

Freelancer? Contractor? Business owner? You don't get paystubs from an employer—so you need to create your own for apartments, loans, and income verification. Here's exactly how to do it right.

Create Self-Employed Paystub View Self-Employed Guide

The Self-Employed Income Verification Challenge

When you're self-employed, proving income isn't as simple as handing over a paystub from your employer. Banks, landlords, and lenders often don't understand freelance income—they want documents that look familiar. That's where self-employed paystubs come in.

When Self-Employed People Need Paystubs

Even though you don't have an employer, there are many situations where paystubs make income verification easier:

Apartment Applications

Landlords want to see stable income. Paystubs showing consistent earnings help you get approved faster.

Auto Loans

Dealerships and banks require proof of income. Self-employed paystubs demonstrate your earning capacity.

Mortgage Applications

Lenders want to see income documentation. Paystubs complement your tax returns for a complete picture.

Credit Applications

Credit card companies and personal loan providers need income verification. Paystubs make approval easier.

What to Include on a Self-Employed Paystub

Your Business Name

Use your legal business name, DBA, or your own name if operating as a sole proprietor.

John Smith Consulting LLC or John Smith, Freelancer

Business Address

Your registered business address or home office address.

123 Main Street, City, State ZIP

EIN or SSN

Use your EIN if you have one; otherwise, you can use your SSN (show last 4 only on paystub).

EIN: 12-3456789 or SSN: XXX-XX-1234

Pay Period

Choose a consistent frequency: weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Match your typical income flow.

Pay Period: 01/01/2026 - 01/15/2026

Gross Earnings

Total income before taxes. Base this on actual invoices, contracts, or bank deposits.

$5,000.00 gross pay

Self-Employment Tax

15.3% for Social Security and Medicare combined (you pay both employer and employee portions).

SE Tax: $765.00 (15.3% of $5,000)

Self-Employment Tax Calculations (2026)

Key difference from W-2 employees: Self-employed people pay BOTH the employee AND employer portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Tax	W-2 Employee	Self-Employed	Notes
Social Security	6.2%	12.4%	On first $168,600
Medicare	1.45%	2.9%	On all net earnings
Total FICA	7.65%	15.3%	Self-employment tax
Federal Income Tax	10-37%	10-37%	Based on tax bracket

Good news: You can deduct 50% of your self-employment tax from your taxable income. Our paystub generator handles all these calculations automatically.

Creating Self-Employed Paystubs: Do's and Don'ts

DO:

Base amounts on actual documented income (invoices, bank deposits, 1099s)
Use consistent pay periods that reflect your real income pattern
Include estimated tax withholdings for credibility
Keep records that can verify the amounts on your paystubs
Match your paystub totals to bank statements if asked

DON'T:

Inflate income to qualify for larger loans or rentals
Create fake employer information for a business that doesn't exist
Use paystubs that don't match your tax returns
Submit paystubs without being able to verify the income
Claim W-2 employment when you're actually self-employed

Important: Keep It Legal

Creating self-employed paystubs is legal and common—if the information is accurate. Using fake or inflated income to obtain loans, housing, or benefits you wouldn't otherwise qualify for is fraud. Always base your paystubs on real, documented income you can verify.

How to Create a Self-Employed Paystub (Step-by-Step)

Gather Your Income Documentation

Pull together invoices, contracts, 1099 forms, or bank statements showing your income. This is the foundation—your paystub should reflect these real numbers.

Calculate Your Average/Actual Earnings

Determine your gross income for the pay period. If income varies, you can use actual amounts for each period or calculate a monthly average based on your annual income.

Enter Your Business Information

In the paystub generator, enter your business name (or your name) as the employer, and your own name as the employee. Add your business address and EIN if you have one.

Let the Generator Calculate Taxes

Enter your gross earnings and the generator will automatically calculate self-employment tax (15.3%), federal income tax, and state tax based on your location.

Download and Keep Records

Download your professional PDF paystub. Keep copies along with the source documentation (invoices, bank statements) in case anyone asks to verify.

Create Your Self-Employed Paystub

Frequently Asked Questions

Can self-employed people create their own paystubs?

Yes, self-employed individuals can and often should create their own paystubs. Since you don't have an employer providing them, you document your own income. This is completely legal as long as the information accurately reflects your real earnings. Many freelancers, contractors, and small business owners use paystub generators for income verification.

What's the difference between self-employed paystubs and W-2 paystubs?

W-2 paystubs come from employers and show taxes already withheld. Self-employed paystubs show your gross income and estimated tax obligations. The main differences: you list yourself (or your business) as employer, you pay self-employment tax (15.3%) instead of just the employee portion of FICA, and you're responsible for estimated quarterly payments rather than withholding.

How do I calculate taxes for self-employed paystubs?

Self-employment tax includes: Social Security (12.4%) on first $168,600 of net earnings, Medicare (2.9%) on all net earnings, plus federal and state income tax based on your bracket. Total self-employment tax is 15.3% (you pay both employee and employer portions). A paystub generator handles these calculations automatically.

Will landlords accept self-employed paystubs?

Most landlords accept self-employed paystubs as part of your income documentation. They may also request: 2 years of tax returns, bank statements showing deposits, 1099 forms from clients, or a CPA letter. Having professional paystubs that match your other documents increases credibility and approval rates.

How many paystubs do I need for a rental application?

Landlords typically want 2-3 months of paystubs. For self-employed applicants, they may ask for more documentation since income can vary. Create paystubs for your most recent pay periods, and be prepared to show bank statements or invoices that verify the amounts.

Is it fraud to make self-employed paystubs?

Creating paystubs that accurately reflect your real self-employed income is NOT fraud—it's documenting your earnings. What IS fraud: creating paystubs with inflated or fake income, claiming employment that doesn't exist, or using false documentation to obtain loans, housing, or benefits you wouldn't otherwise qualify for.