Self-employed & complex income
Bank said no? Your income might just need a better pack
Contractors, sole traders and company directors get declined for policy fit more often than for earning too little. We know which lenders assess complex income — and how to present your financials clearly.
Income packaging
We work with you and your accountant to present a sustainable earnings picture lenders can credit.
Lender matching
Some lenders accept one year of accounts or contractor contracts. We match policy to your structure — not the other way around.
Fewer dead ends
Targeted applications beat shotgun applications. Less noise on your credit file, faster answers.
Document checklist
What to gather before we talk
You don't need everything perfect on day one — but the more complete the pack, the faster we can shortlist lenders.
- Last 1–2 years of financial statements (or IRD income summary)
- IR3 / IR4 returns and notices of assessment where available
- GST returns if you're registered
- Recent personal and business bank statements
- Company accounts + shareholder salary details (if a director)
- A short note explaining any one-off income or lean year
What usually blocks approval
Wrong lender first
Policies differ widely. Applying to a bank that needs two tidy PAYE-like years wastes time and can leave a credit enquiry footprint.
Incomplete pack
Missing IRD summaries, unsigned accounts or unexplained drawings are the most common reasons files stall.
Lifestyle vs business spend
Large personal drawings without context can look like you can't service a loan — even when the business is healthy.
Recommended journey
- 1Read our income packaging guide
- 2Gather accounts / IRD summaries
- 3Book a free chat — flag that you're self-employed
- 4We match lenders and package the application
Next step
Talk to Mei — complex income specialist
Tell us your structure (sole trader, company, contractor) and roughly how long you've been trading. We'll say honestly whether a path looks realistic before you chase paperwork.
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