Paystubs for Contractors — 1099 Income Made Simple

Independent contractors receive 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms instead of W-2s. This classification means you're not an employee but a self-employed business entity. While this offers flexibility and tax benefits, it creates challenges when proving income to landlords and lenders who prefer traditional W-2 format.

Landlords typically require paystubs from the last 2-3 months. As a contractor, you don't receive traditional paystubs from clients. Creating professional paystubs that document your contract income in standardized format helps landlords understand your earning capacity and speeds up rental application approval.

Contractors typically prove income using: tax returns with Schedule C, 1099 forms from clients, bank statements showing deposits, and signed client contracts. However, these documents don't match the paystub format landlords expect. Paystubs bridge this gap by presenting contractor income in familiar, easily understandable format.

Some contractors receive cash payments without formal documentation. While cash is legitimate income, it's difficult to verify. Creating paystubs that document cash contractor payments in professional format provides the paper trail landlords need. Ensure amounts match actual deposits for verification purposes.