Proof of Income Letter for Cash Income — Free Template
If you're paid in cash, such as for cleaning, childcare, construction, tips or odd jobs, you may have no pay stubs to show a landlord or agency. This version is set up for cash income: it describes your work, how long you've done it and what you typically earn, and helps you pull together records that make your letter believable.
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Free to preview[Your full name (the person writing and signing)]
[Your address and phone number]
October 15, 2026
[Who the letter is for]
Re: Proof of income
Dear [Who the letter is for],
I am writing to provide proof of my income. I have worked as [Job title or type of work] with [Employer or business name] since [Start date], and I currently earn [Income amount] [That amount is…].
The information in this letter is accurate to the best of my knowledge as of the date above. If you need to verify any of it, please contact me using the details above.
Sincerely,
[Your full name (the person writing and signing)]
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Create a paper trail
Cash is hard to prove, so build records that show a consistent pattern. Depositing your earnings into a bank account on a regular schedule is one of the best ways; months of steady deposits speak louder than any letter. Keep a simple log of each job or shift, the date and the amount received.
Reporting your cash income on your tax return also helps, since a filed return is one of the documents landlords and agencies trust most. If you haven't been reporting it, a tax preparer or a free tax help program can explain your options.
Add confirmation from the people who pay you
Short signed statements from regular clients or the person who pays you can back up your letter. Each should say how long you've worked for them, how often, and roughly what they pay, along with their phone number. Ask their permission before listing them as a contact.
If you have receipts, invoices, texts confirming jobs or a payment app history for clients who sometimes pay electronically, include a sample. The goal is to show the recipient the income is real and ongoing.
Be realistic about your number
State what you typically earn, not your best month. An average over six or twelve months is more credible and less likely to be questioned when compared to your bank statements. If your income varies by season, say so and give the yearly total.
What to do, step by step
Ask what the recipient needs
Landlords, lenders and agencies differ. Ask whether they want gross or take-home pay, monthly or yearly figures, and whether they need the letter from you or from your employer.
Gather your numbers
Check your pay stubs, offer letter, tax return or bank statements so every figure in the letter is accurate and matches your documents.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Employers should enter the employee's name; if you're writing about your own income, leave it blank and the letter is written in the first person.
Attach proof and sign
Attach supporting documents such as pay stubs, tax returns or bank statements, then sign the letter. Employer letters are best printed on company letterhead.
Send it and keep a copy
Send the letter the way the recipient prefers and keep a copy for your records in case they call to verify it.
What if a landlord or lender won't accept your letter?
A proof of income letter is often supporting evidence rather than the only proof a landlord or lender will accept. If they say it isn't enough, ask exactly what they need. Common alternatives include recent pay stubs, a W-2 or 1099, tax returns, bank statements showing regular deposits, a benefits award letter or a letter from an accountant.
If your income is irregular, such as self-employment, gig or cash work, offer a longer history: a full year of bank statements or two years of tax returns usually carries more weight than a single month. Some landlords will also accept a larger security deposit, a co-signer or a guarantor where local rules allow it.
Never overstate your income. Landlords and lenders often verify by calling employers or reviewing tax records, and false statements on a rental or loan application can lead to a denial, a terminated lease or worse.
Example proof of income letter for cash income
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Lucia Gomez
214 E 9th St, Apt 3, Tucson, AZ 85705 · (520) 555-0164
October 5, 2026
Sonoran Ridge Apartments
Re: Proof of income
Dear Sonoran Ridge Apartments,
I am writing to provide proof of my income. I have worked as a self-employed house cleaner with my own house cleaning business since February 1, 2020, and I currently earn $3,400.00 per month.
I clean homes for eleven regular clients on a weekly or every-other-week schedule, and most pay me in cash. I deposit my earnings into my checking account each week, and I report this income on my federal tax return. Two long-time clients have agreed to confirm my work if you would like to contact them.
To support this letter, I have enclosed the following: my 2025 federal tax return, six months of bank statements showing weekly deposits and a log of my client payments.
The information in this letter is accurate to the best of my knowledge as of the date above. If you need to verify any of it, please contact me using the details above.
Sincerely,
Lucia Gomez
Frequently asked questions
Can I prove cash income without a tax return?
Sometimes. Bank statements with regular deposits, a payment log and signed statements from people who pay you can be enough for some landlords. Agencies and lenders are more likely to require a tax return, so ask what they'll accept.
Will a landlord accept a letter I wrote myself?
Some will, especially with supporting records. Others want third-party proof. If yours won't accept it, ask whether a co-signer, a guarantor or a larger deposit could work instead, where local rules allow.
Do tips count as cash income?
Yes. If you earn tips in cash, include them, and show how you track them. Tips that are reported to your employer may appear on your pay stubs or W-2, which makes them easier to document.
What is a proof of income letter?
It's a short letter stating how much a person earns, from what source and since when. It may be written by an employer to verify an employee's pay, or by a self-employed person or contractor about their own income, usually along with supporting documents like tax returns or bank statements.
Can I write my own proof of income letter?
Yes, especially if you're self-employed, freelance or paid in cash. A letter you write yourself carries more weight when backed by documents such as tax returns, 1099s, invoices or bank statements. If you have an employer, many recipients prefer a letter from them instead.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.