Employment & income

Mortgage renewal with commission or bonus income

Quick answer

Most A-lenders average commission and bonus income over your last 2 years of T1s. If income has grown, use the higher year; if it dropped, staying with your existing lender at renewal avoids the average calculation entirely — no re-qualification required.

What makes this different

  • Commission averaging punishes recent growth and rewards recent decline.
  • Some lenders exclude commission entirely if you've had the job less than 2 years.
  • T4 vs. T4A commission is treated differently at some lenders.

How to approach your renewal

Get retention pricing first — no income review at all.

If shopping, target lenders that use higher of 2-year average vs. current year: this rewards growing income.

Want Jay Klair to run your numbers for this situation?
Free, no-obligation review from a FSRA-licensed mortgage agent.

Jay Klair, Mortgage Agent Level 2 (M09000869) — Real Mortgage Associates, FSRA #10464, part of the DLGC Group of Companies · 5675 Whittle Rd, Suite 100, Mississauga, ON L4Z 3P8