If income isn’t on a T4, you’re boxed out. Your accountant may have an amazing plan to reduce your tax bill, but your lender now says you don’t qualify. You just started a business but have been doing this for years.
Just because your lender said no doesn’t mean you don’t qualify—it means you need someone that is going to dig in and make sense of your situation.
From rental offsets to corporate structures, here’s what actually matters when qualifying.
Low T1 General income due to write-offs
Dividends instead of salary
Retained earnings in a HoldCo
Personal vs corporate title
Rental income not being counted
Tap into personal or corporate equity, qualify based on real income, and build a long-term portfolio plan.
Explore your financial and ownership structure
Identify what you qualify for today—and what’s needed to level up
Customize the mortgage structure to fit your growth plan
Accordion Content
Some lenders will allow you to buy property in your operating corporation. It’s highly unrecommended though. It may make sense for tax purposes and simplicity but can put your business at risk.
Yes! Lenders can use both your dividends and business cash flow.
There are specific programs that some lenders will use to look directly inside your business.
Whether you changed from salary to dividend, dividend to salary, or some combination of the two, many lenders can make sense of the numbers.
It’s all about how you present the information to the lender.
Down payment for rental properties needs to be at least 20% of the purchase price. This is mainly due to Canada’s financial regulators.
You can use HELOCs for down payment. In fact, this is a very common strategy – especially if the HELOC is on your principal residence.
There is a tax advantaged strategy if you go this route too!
It depends on what your overall financial game plan is. When I work with business owner clients, I offer discussing the game plan with them and their accountant to find the right fit.
Sometimes financing in corporation is more challenging or expensive. Sometimes it’s the best option.
I’m happy to help weight the pros and cons.
No guesswork. Just clear numbers, structure, and next steps.
