Verifying income is not difficult. You can request an applicant's pay stubs, copies of their W2s, bank statements and/or a tax return transcript (Form 4506). You can also request a Salary Verification Letter from their employer. If the person is self-employed or a contract worker, which is increasingly common these days, you can review a few months of their bank statements and/or tax returns to estimate their average income. Keep in mind that W2s, tax information and social security numbers are personal, and that information should be protected as best you can.