Home loan readiness
Self-Employed and Ready to Buy? Get Bond-Ready First
A home loan is the biggest credit application most business owners make, and it gets the closest look. We prepare the financial statements, tax records and income history lenders expect from the self-employed, so your application is complete from day one.
Take the home loan readiness checkRevenue Bridge is a firm of accountants. We prepare your records; we do not arrange bonds or recommend lenders.
Revenue Bridge is not a Financial Services Provider (FSP) or credit broker. We simply provide financial readiness packages.
Why bond applications from the self-employed stall
Banks usually want to see a stable income over at least two years. For the self-employed, that history often has gaps:
- Only one year of financial statements, or none at all.
- Tax returns filed late, or IT34s that show a different income from your bank statements.
- Income that swings month to month with no explanation in your accounts.
- Company profits kept in the business, so your personal income looks too low on paper.
- A deposit with no clear paper trail of where the money came from.
Each of these takes time to fix. The earlier you start, the stronger your application.
What lenders typically ask for
Requirements differ between lenders, but self-employed bond applicants are usually asked for:
- Financial statements for the last two financial years, prepared by an accountant
- Recent management accounts, if your year-end is more than a few months ago
- IT34 assessments for the last two tax years and proof of tax compliance
- 3 to 6 months of personal and business bank statements
- A letter from your accountant confirming your income (Revenue Bridge issues these once your assessment is successfully completed; terms and conditions apply)
- Company registration documents, ID and proof of address
We prepare or update every financial document on this list and make sure they agree with one another.
How we get you bond-ready
Step 1
Assess
We review your bank statements, SARS profile and CIPC status.
Step 2
Map
We set out what is missing and what each item will take to fix.
Step 3
Reconcile
We bring your books up to date and separate business from personal spending.
Step 4
Prepare
We compile your financial statements and management accounts, and set up structured director's drawings.
Step 5
Submit
We file outstanding returns with SARS and CIPC and hand you a complete document pack.
Step 6
Respond
If a lender asks questions about your financials, we help you answer them.
The three areas we fix
Company compliance
CIPC annual returns, company reinstatement and a clean legal standing.
Tax compliance
ITR12 and ITR14 returns aligned with your financials, SARS debt and audits resolved, a valid Tax Compliance Status PIN and two clean years of IT34s.
Accounting and bookkeeping
Cloud accounting on Xero, Sage or QuickBooks, a regular drawings structure that shows a steady personal income, and management accounts.
Which route fits you?
| Route | Your situation | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| A: Submission Pack | Two years of up-to-date books and tax | Compile your financial statements, income letter and document pack |
| B: Accounting Cleanup | Records are behind or incomplete | Reconcile and rebuild your books, then prepare the pack |
| C: Compliance Overhaul | CIPC or SARS backlogs | Restore company and tax compliance first, then routes B and A |
Find your route
What could you afford?
Many South African lenders use a guideline that your bond repayment should not exceed about 30% of your gross monthly income. These calculators apply that guideline and the current prime lending rate to give you a working figure.
How big a bond could your income support?
- Maximum monthly repayment
- R24 000
- Estimated maximum bond
- R2 363 999
- Estimated purchase price
- R2 513 999
Joint application? Add both applicants' gross income.
What would your monthly bond repayment be?
- Monthly repayment
- R16 447
- Total interest
- R2 327 210
- Total repayable
- R3 947 210
- Gross income needed (30% guide)
- R54 822
Uses the interest rate and term from the calculator above.
What transfer duty will you pay?
- Transfer duty payable
- R21 786
Based on the purchase price above and SARS rates for 2026/27. No transfer duty applies if the seller is VAT-registered and charges VAT. Conveyancing and bond registration fees are extra.
Estimates only, based on common lender guidelines. Lenders apply their own affordability assessment under the National Credit Act, their own rates and fees. This is not a credit assessment or an offer of finance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a home loan if I'm self-employed in South Africa?
Yes. Lenders do grant bonds to the self-employed. They ask for more documents than they do from salaried applicants, mainly to confirm that your income is stable.
How many years of financial statements do I need?
Most lenders ask for two years. If you have traded for less than that, speak to us early so we can build the strongest record possible.
Why do lenders ask for my IT34?
Your IT34 is your SARS notice of assessment. Lenders use it to confirm that the income in your financial statements matches what you declared to SARS.
My company makes a profit, but my salary is low. Is that a problem?
It can be, because lenders look at the income you personally receive. We can help you set up a drawings or salary structure that reflects your real earnings, with the tax impact properly planned.
Will you recommend a bank or apply for the bond for me?
No. We are accountants, not credit providers, brokers or financial advisers. We prepare your records. You choose where to apply.
When should I start preparing?
Ideally six to twelve months before you plan to apply, especially if tax returns or financial statements are behind.
Revenue Bridge is not a Financial Services Provider (FSP) or credit broker. We simply provide financial readiness packages.
Revenue Bridge provides accounting, tax and company compliance services. We are not a registered financial services provider or credit broker, and we do not recommend lenders or home loan products. Any credit decision is made by the lender under its own criteria and the National Credit Act. Being bond-ready improves the quality of your application but does not guarantee approval.
Start your home loan journey with your paperwork in order.
The readiness check covers your books, tax and company status, and tells you what a lender will need from you.
Start the readiness check