Self-employed mortgage rates in Canada.
Today’s best 5-year fixed is 3.94% and variable 3.60%. With 2 clean years of T1/NOA, self-employed A-lender rates are essentially the same as a salaried borrower’s — we shop 100+ lenders to land you there.
With 2 clean years of T1s and NOAs, self-employed A-lender rates are essentially the same as a salaried borrower’s (today ~3.94%) — a 0-10 bps premium at most. Thinner files move to alt-A (+50-150 bps) or private, then most refinance to A-pricing within 1-2 years. The levers that keep you on A-pricing: add-backs, stated income, and the right lender — we optimize all three.
What rate can a self-employed borrower actually get?
It depends almost entirely on which lender tier your file lands in. On an A-lender full-doc or stated-income file with 2 clean NOAs, your rate is essentially the same as a salaried borrower’s — a 0–10 bps premium at most. There’s no special “self-employed penalty” once the income documents are clean. We put your file out to 100+ lenders and bring back the lowest A-pricing you qualify for.
When write-offs depress reported income or you’re short of two clean years, the file moves down a tier. B-lender alt-A trades roughly +50–150 bps for income flexibility — a reasonable bridge, not a penalty. Private sits at +200–500 bps, fast and equity-based, for the files A and B can’t place yet. The important part: most BFS clients start on B or private and refinance to A-pricing within 1–2 years once two clean NOAs are on file. Read our self-employed mortgage guide for the full documentation checklist, and our CRA debt guide if you’re carrying a balance owing.
Whatever your BFS situation
Full-doc, stated income, CRA debt, or a tight year — there's a tier for your file, with a plan to A-pricing.
Self-employed guide
The full documentation checklist — T1s, NOAs, add-backs, stated income.
CRA debt
Carrying a balance with the CRA? There's still a path — we place and plan it.
Bruised credit
BFS + bruised credit: B-lender and private now, exit to A later.
Private mortgage
Fast, equity-based financing for files A and B can't place yet.
Income required
See the income (and add-backs) you need to qualify at the price you want.
Refinance
Two clean NOAs now? Refinance off a B/private rate to A-pricing.
6 things self-employed borrowers should know
Why business-for-self doesn't mean a higher rate — once the file is structured right.
No penalty with clean docs
With 2 clean years of T1s and NOAs, A-lender rates are essentially the same as a salaried borrower's — a 0-10 bps premium at most. There's no 'self-employed penalty' once the income is documented.
Stated income is a real path
On an A-lender stated-income program (10%+ down, strong credit, 2+ years in business), the rate is close to standard A-pricing — useful when write-offs depress your reported income.
Add-backs improve your tier
Adding back non-cash deductions (depreciation/CCA, business-use-of-home) raises usable income and your debt-service ratio — keeping you on A-pricing instead of a higher tier.
Alt-A is a bridge, not a penalty
When the file's tight, B-lender alt-A trades ~50-150 bps for income flexibility — a reasonable bridge while you build two clean years.
Most BFS files exit to A
Many self-employed borrowers start on B or private and refinance to A-pricing within 1-2 years once two clean NOAs are on file. We build that exit in from day one.
Lenders who get the math
We work with dozens of lenders who understand business-for-self income — not just the handful that ask for a salaried T4.
Why finance your BFS file with us
- 100+ lenders shopped — A-lender, alt-A, and private — to land you at the lowest tier you qualify for.
- Add-backs and stated income optimized to maximize your usable income.
- A mapped exit to A-pricing in 1-2 years built into the plan.
- FSRA #13737 · no bureau pull to start · documentation handled with you.