An inescapable fact of life is that you need money for various resources necessary for survival. In modern times, we usually need continuing access to some services or make purchases for which we often cannot pay outrightly.

In such situations, you will need to show proof of income to access the services or get that product. Proof of income is evidence that you earn a specific amount of income over some time.

Proof of income is often used to prove that you can pay for the service or product you need to acquire. You will typically need to produce documents such as proof of income letter from an employer, pay stubs, tax documents, or bank statements to show proof of income.

The following are situations when individuals need to show proof of income:

Applying for a Loan or Credit

A common situation where you will need to show proof of income is when applying for a loan or getting a line of credit. You often need debt for an investment to make more money in the future, and proof of income will ascertain that happens.

When you visit a lender, the main quality they would like to know is whether you can pay back the money plus the interest. The way to do that is if you have a source of income from which you can make partial payments for the credit.

The income could be from a job or a business. Using ThePayStubs to generate pay stubs going back over a year will suffice if you have a job. For a business, you will have to produce income statements.

The size of the loan or credit you can get will often be directly related to the size of your income.

Renting, Lease-to-own, or housing mortgages.

If you want to rent, lease or own any property, you will often need to show proof of income. It will show your ability to pay the charges for occupancy of the real estate whether residential or for business.

Renters and landlords are particularly sticklers for proof of income because of the many people who often are unable to make rental payments. They will typically want proof of long-term income as short term cash flow does not guarantee the ability to pay rent in the long term.

A housing mortgage is a type of loan, so proof of income is essential.

Unpaid loans, taxes, interest [eg, income-based garnishment]

If you have outstanding loans that you need to repay or are yet to finish paying the interest on a loan or purchase, proof of income will be necessary. Otherwise, creditors may repossess your items due to failure of payment or to pay back a loan.

Tax authorities will also require proof of income to establish your ability to pay taxes and how much you need to pay.

Income-based garnishment refers to withholding a portion of income to pay for debts. Proof of income is hence necessary, and making more money will help with it.

Child Support Negotiations

If you have a child and get a divorce from your spouse, you may be required by law to pay child support. If so, you will have to show proof of income, which will serve as proof that you can financially support your child.

The amount of child support you pay will often depend on how much money you make. The child support negotiations are when you settle how much you will pay.

Bank Accounts

Certain bank accounts need proof of income for you to open or operate. Business bank accounts, in particular, will require you to establish proof of income.

You may also have to show proof of income to manage a bank account, for example, a trust account.

Proof of income is necessary for many aspects of modern life. The importance of safely storing financial documents for this purpose cannot be understated. It could help you gain access to some of life’s amenities.