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Proof of Income Philippines: Valid Documents Guide
When you apply for a loan or an installment plan, lenders often ask for proof of income. This simply means showing documents that help explain how much you earn and how steady your income is. In the Philippines, your income can come from many sources. You might be employed in a company, run a small business, take freelance projects, or receive money from family abroad. All of these are common. What matters is that your documents show a clear picture of how you earn, so a lender can check if the monthly payment fits your budget.
This guide explains how proof of income works. You will learn which documents are commonly requested, where you can get them, and how to prepare them for your transactions. If you plan to apply for a Salmon Product Loan, keeping your income records ready can help strengthen your application.
What proof of income is in the Philippines
Proof of income is any document that shows how much money you earn and where the income comes from. Lenders use it to check if a monthly payment fits your budget.
You may be asked for proof of income when you apply for a loan, apply for an installment plan, rent a place, or apply for a visa. Some lenders ask for one document. Others ask for more, especially when your income changes from month to month.
Document type | Best for | Common time lenders ask for | Where you get it |
Payslip | Employed individuals | Latest 1 to 3 months | HR or payroll |
Certificate of Employment (COE) | Employed individuals | Recent copy | HR |
BIR Form 2316 | Employed individuals | Latest year | Employer |
Income Tax Return (ITR) | Many income types | Latest tax year | Your copy, BIR, or tax filer |
Bank statement | Self-employed, freelancers, mixed income | Latest 3 to 12 months | Bank branch or bank app |
Business registration documents | Business owners | Current | DTI or SEC, BIR, LGU |
Platform earnings report | Freelancers, gig workers | Recent payouts | Platform account |
Pension statement | Pensioners | Latest 6 to 12 months | SSS or GSIS |
Remittance records | Receive remittances | Latest 6 to 12 months | Remittance partner or bank |
Affidavit of income | Informal income | When needed | Notary public |
Why lenders check proof of income
Lenders check proof of income to make sure a loan fits your ability to pay. This helps reduce the risk of missed payments and helps you avoid taking on an amount that may be hard to manage.
From your side, the benefit is practical. When your documents are complete, the review usually takes less time. You also reduce the chances of being asked to resubmit files. Still, even with a faster and more user-friendly process, having clear income details helps ease the review of your application by the lender.
What proof of income you can provide if you are employed
If you work for a company, your proof of income usually comes from your employer. These documents often follow a standard format, so they are easier to review.
Document | What it shows | Where you get it | What to check |
Payslip | Salary for a pay period | HR or payroll | Name, dates, amounts |
COE (with salary, if available) | Job and salary | HR | Company details, date |
BIR Form 2316 | Annual income and tax withheld | Employer | Latest year |
ITR (if you file one) | Declared annual income | Your copy, BIR, or tax filer | Latest tax year |
What to check on your payslip
A payslip shows your basic pay, deductions, and net pay. Lenders often ask for your most recent payslips because these reflect your current income.
Some employers provide a certified true copy. This means HR confirms that the copy matches their official record.
Before you submit, check that your full name matches your government ID, the pay period dates are visible, the amounts are readable, and the page is complete with no missing sections.
What to know about a certificate of employment
A Certificate of Employment (COE) confirms that you work for your employer. Some lenders ask for a COE that includes your salary.
When you request it from HR, mention if salary details are needed by the lender you are applying for a loan for. Before you submit your COE, also remember to check your job title, company name, and document date if all are accurate.
How tax documents can help
The BIR Form 2316 Certificate of Compensation Payment Tax Withheld or BIR Form 1700 Income Tax Return (ideal if you have changed employers) show your income over a full year. These can help when your monthly income changes or when the lender needs a longer view of your earnings.
What proof of income documents you can use if you are self-employed or run a business
If you are self-employed, your income may come from different clients or daily sales. Because of this, lenders usually look at a combination of documents to see a clear pattern.
A good place to start is your bank statements, since they show actual money coming in. If you have tax or business documents, you can include them to give more context.
Document | What it shows | Where you get it | Common time lenders ask for |
Bank statements | Deposits and cash flow | Bank branch or bank app | Latest 6 to 12 months |
ITR (if available) | Declared income | Your copy, BIR, or tax filer | Latest tax year |
BIR Certificate of Registration | Tax registration | BIR | Current |
DTI or SEC registration | Business registration | DTI or SEC | Current |
Mayor’s Permit | Permit to operate | LGU | Current year |
Invoices or receipts | Sales activity | Your records | Recent months |
Why bank statements matter here
Bank statements help show how your income flows over time. Lenders often look for regular deposits rather than one-time amounts.
If you can, use one main account for payments. This makes your records easier to follow. Submitting a clear period, such as the latest six months, also helps.
What proof of income can you use if you work as a freelancer or gig worker?
If you work per project, your income may change each month. That is common. What matters is showing the link between your work and your payments.
Platform reports are useful, especially when they match deposits in your bank account.
Source | Document type | Where you get it | How it helps |
Upwork | Earnings or payout report | Account reports | Shows completed work and payouts |
Fiverr | Earnings report | Dashboard | Shows income history |
Freelancer.ph | Payment history | Account payments | Shows dates and amounts |
Shopee or Lazada | Sales report | Seller Center | Shows sales activity |
PayPal | Account statement | Statements page | Shows incoming payments |
GCash | Transaction history | App | Shows cash flow |
Raket.ph | Job records | Dashboard | Shows work history |
When you submit platform records, include bank statements that show the matching deposits when you can. This makes your income easier to understand.
What documents can you use for other income sources?
Some people earn through pensions, remittances, rent, or investments. These can help show income when you have clear records.
Income source | Required documents | Minimum history | Acceptance level |
SSS pension | Pension statement, bank deposits | 6 months | High |
GSIS pension | GSIS statement, ACOP | 6 months | High |
OFW remittances | Receipts, bank records | 6 to 12 months | Medium-High |
Rental income | Lease contract, receipts | 6 to 12 months | Medium |
Dividend income | Brokerage records | 6 to 12 months | Medium |
Investment returns | Bank and investment records | 12 months | Medium |
Child support | Court order, bank deposits | 6 months | Low-Medium |
How to prepare your proof of income without delays
You do not need to have the perfect set of documents. What matters is that your files are clear, complete, and consistent. Before you submit anything, take a moment to review your documents. Check that your name matches your government ID, the dates are visible, and all pages are included. If you are uploading photos, make sure they are clear and well-lit. Avoid blur or cut-off edges. If you are submitting more than one document, make sure the key details, like names and amounts, match across all files.
Most delays happen for simple reasons. Documents with blurry images, missing pages, or unclear dates might slow down the process further. Taking a moment to review your proof of income before you submit can save you more time and lessens hassle later.
If your income does not follow a standard setup
Many people in the Philippines earn income in different ways, and that is normal.
If you are paid in cash, you can start with bank deposits that follow your pay schedule, along with simple records or receipts. If you earn from more than one source, prepare proof for each one and keep your files grouped clearly. If your income changes from month to month, a longer record, such as several months of bank statements, can help show a clearer pattern.
If you do not have formal documents yet, an affidavit of income can be a starting point. You can add more records over time as you build your file.
Submitting documents online and what to expect
Many lenders now accept digital documents. You can upload e-statements from your bank app or clear photos of printed documents.
To keep your information safe, submit documents only through official pages. Keep your verification codes private and avoid sending ID photos through public chats or group messages.
With a steady income, shopping for what you need can be simple. Borrow up to ₱60,000 with a down payment as low as 0% and apply at one of our 5,000 partner stores nationwide. Apply now
Frequently asked questions
What is proof of income?
Proof of income is any document that shows how much you earn and how often you get paid. Common examples include payslips, bank statements, and tax documents like BIR Form 2316 or an Income Tax Return (ITR).
What is the best proof of income document in the Philippines?
The strongest proof of income depends on how you earn.
If you are employed, lenders often prefer recent payslips and a Certificate of Employment (COE). They may also ask for BIR Form 2316 to see your income for the year.
If you are self-employed, lenders often look for an ITR, such as BIR Form 1701, plus bank statements that show steady deposits.
If you earn from more than one source, you can combine documents, like payslips plus bank statements, to show a clearer income picture.
How can you show proof of income if you don’t have payslips?
That’s common, especially if you are self-employed or you work per project.
You can start with bank statements that show regular deposits. If you have an ITR, you can add it. If you freelance, you can also include contracts, invoices, or platform payout history. If you do not have formal records yet, a notarized affidavit of income can be a starting point.
What documents are sufficient for proof of income?
This depends on your income type and the loan amount. For employed workers, lenders often ask for one to three months of payslips and a COE. For self-employed workers, lenders often review an ITR plus around six months of bank statements.
Some simpler loan products may review fewer documents, while larger loans usually require more detail.
What are examples of valid proof of income documents?
Here are common examples of valid proof of income documents, depending on your source of income:
Employed: payslip, COE, BIR Form 2316
Self-employed: ITR (such as BIR Form 1701), bank statements, plus business documents like DTI or SEC registration, Mayor’s Permit, and BIR Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303)
Freelancers: platform earnings report, payout history, contracts, invoices, plus bank or e-wallet records that show matching deposits
Pensioners: SSS or GSIS pension statement, plus bank deposits
Other sources of income: remittance receipts, lease contract for rent income, brokerage or dividend statement for dividends
How do you get proof of income documents?
It depends on how you earn. If you are employed, you can request your payslips and COE from HR or payroll.
If you are self-employed, you can download bank statements from your bank and prepare your ITR if available. If your business is registered, you can also keep copies of your DTI or SEC registration, Mayor’s Permit, and BIR registration documents.
If you freelance, you can download your platform earnings reports and keep invoices or contracts. It also helps to match these with deposits shown in your bank or e-wallet history.
What alternatives exist if you have no income proof?
If you do not have formal documents yet, you can start with a notarized affidavit of income. You can also build your records over time by keeping bank deposit records, saving receipts, and collecting payment history from clients or platforms.
Some lenders may ask for additional information depending on the product and your profile.
Can you use bank statements alone as proof of income?
It depends on your situation. If you are employed, lenders often still ask for payslips or a Certificate of Employment (COE). If you are self-employed, bank statements may work better when they show consistent deposits, such as six to twelve months.
Bank statements usually work best when you pair them with other documents, like an Income Tax Return (ITR), invoices, or business records.
Can you use GCash transaction history as proof of income?
GCash transaction history can help show money received and sent. Many lenders treat it as an additional document, not the main proof of income. It works best when you pair it with invoices, platform payout history, or bank statements.
Where can you apply for a Product Loan?
You can apply for a Product Loan at a partner store near you. Use the location directory to find a nearby partner store, then approach an in-store Salmon sales ambassador to get started with your application.
20.02.2026