Self-employed mortgage rates in Canada.
Our best insured 5-year fixed today is 4.14% and variable 3.44%. 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.
Add-backs, stated income and the right lender keep you on A-pricing.
Get your self-employed rateWith 2 clean years of T1s and NOAs, self-employed A-lender rates are typically the same or very close to a salaried borrower’s (best insured 5-year fixed today ~4.14%). Thinner files move to alt-A (typically about 1-2.5 points higher, plus a 1-2% lender fee) or private (the 25 largest private lenders averaged about 9.6% in Q3 2025, per CMHC), 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 typically the same or very close to a salaried borrower’s. 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 rate for income flexibility, typically about 1 to 2.5 points above A-lender pricing plus a 1-2% lender fee: a reasonable bridge, not a penalty. Private: the 25 largest private lenders averaged 9.6% in Q3 2025, per CMHC, 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 typically the same or very close to a salaried borrower's. There's no 'self-employed penalty' once the income is documented.
Stated income is a real path
Insured business-for-self programs allow up to 90% loan-to-value (10% down) when stated income is reasonable, usually with 2+ years in business and strong credit, at 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 rate for income flexibility — up to about 2.5 points over big-bank pricing plus a 1-2% lender fee — 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
Our 100+ lender network includes many lenders who understand business-for-self income, not just the ones that want 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.
Self-employed rates — FAQ
Do self-employed borrowers pay higher mortgage rates?
What is stated income and what rate does it get?
How do add-backs affect my rate and approval?
Can I refinance to a lower rate once I have 2 clean NOAs?
Sources
Primary sources for the rules and figures above. Rules, rates and lender policies change, so confirm anything you plan to act on with a licensed advisor.
- 1. CMHC, Self-employed (mortgage loan insurance): CMHC Self-Employed gives self-employed borrowers access to CMHC mortgage loan insurance at no extra cost, with flexible income and employment requirements.
- 2. Sagen, Business for Self (Alt. A): Insured business-for-self program: up to 90% loan-to-value, generally 2+ years in business, with stated income that is reasonable for the occupation.
- 3. CMHC, Residential Mortgage Industry Report: Table 2: the 25 largest mortgage investment entities (private lenders) averaged about a 9.6% single-family lending rate in Q3 2025.
Get your self-employed rate.
We shop your BFS file across 100+ lenders — A-lender, alt-A, and private — and land you at the lowest tier you qualify for. No bureau pull to start.