If your payslips, statements or tax records do not tell a clear story, identify the gap before submitting a mortgage application. An explanation can help an adviser understand your income, but it does not guarantee that a lender will accept it.
This guide helps UK visa holders resolve evidence questions. For the full preparation list, use our mortgage documents checklist. For advice about your status and mortgage options, start with our visa mortgage service.
First, identify what the lender needs clarified
Ask whether the question concerns a missing document, a difference between figures or whether the income itself can be used. These need different responses. A complete statement can resolve a missing-page request; it cannot make an unacceptable income source eligible.
Keep a short record of the request, the applicant it concerns, the period required and what you have supplied. If you are applying jointly, label each person’s records clearly and identify shared accounts.
My payslip and bank credit show different amounts
Compare the net pay with the relevant bank payment, rather than comparing the deposit with gross salary before deductions. Check payment dates and whether the statement covers the correct period. Reimbursements, separate payments or payroll corrections may need an explanation from your employer.
Do not alter either document to make the figures agree. Give your adviser the original records and explain what you know. If payroll has made an error, ask the employer for corrected evidence.
I have changed jobs or do not have the usual records
Tell your adviser your start date, how you are paid and which records are available. A contract or employer confirmation may be relevant, but neither automatically replaces the payslips a lender requests. Confirm the evidence route before paying for additional records or assuming you must wait a fixed number of months.
If you are paid weekly or every four weeks, ask which consecutive periods are needed. Do not treat a request for monthly payslips as interchangeable with the same number of weekly payslips.
My pay includes overtime, bonuses or commission
Separate basic pay from variable earnings and explain how often each part is paid. Flag a one-off bonus, a recent change in hours or income that has stopped. A particularly strong month should not be presented as your normal earnings without an explanation.
The lender decides how much of the evidenced income it can use. Supplying proof that money was received does not mean the whole amount will count towards affordability.
My self-employed tax figures do not match my accounts
An SA302 is a tax calculation, not the Self Assessment tax return itself. Accounts and tax documents may cover different periods or report different measures. Ask your accountant to explain the difference rather than choosing whichever figure supports the largest loan.
HMRC explains how to obtain tax calculations and tax year overviews. If commercial software was used, the calculation may need to come from that software. Confirm the lender’s accepted documents and required years. Our self-employed income evidence guide covers preparation in more detail.
My income comes from overseas or in another currency
Tell your adviser where you work, who pays you, the payment currency and where you live. Ask whether the proposed lender can consider that arrangement before organising translations or a larger document pack.
Moving money into a UK account does not change the underlying source of the income or establish that it is acceptable. Preserve the original records and transfer trail. Mortgage guidance does not determine your tax obligations; use qualified tax advice where needed.
My immigration status has changed
Explain the change accurately, including a move from pre-settled to settled status. It is a separate issue from reconciling your earnings. See our settled-status mortgage guidance and the immigration-evidence section of the checklist. Do not assume a change of status removes income checks.
Ask for help before sending another application
If an application has stalled or been declined, find out the stated reason. Repeatedly supplying the same documents or applying elsewhere may not resolve the issue.
Request a conversation with Count Ready and describe the evidence question briefly. Keep bank statements, tax references and identity documents out of the initial enquiry. Agree a secure submission method when records are needed.
Fees are agreed before chargeable work begins; we may also receive lender commission. Read our terms of business.
Guidance checked on 7 September 2026. HMRC is the source for obtaining tax documents. Nationwide’s application-proofs guide illustrates how evidence requests vary by income type; it is not a universal checklist or confirmation of Count Ready’s lender access. Confirm current requirements for your application.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Income evidence questions
Can an explanation replace a missing payslip?
An explanation helps the adviser understand the gap, but the lender decides which evidence is acceptable. Ask whether an employer record or another document can be considered; do not create a replacement yourself.
Does settled status remove income checks?
No. Tell your adviser if your status has changed, but keep immigration evidence separate from proof of earnings. The lender still assesses the income and other circumstances relevant to your application.
Should I change figures so my records match?
No. Keep the original records and explain the difference. If a document is wrong, ask its issuer to correct it and retain the explanation. Do not edit payslips, statements or tax documents.