For instance, mine asks for their next of kin, emergency contacts, friends/relatives, employer, where they bank, etc. 

First of all, investors prefer to invest in businesses, not the self-employed.

I want good tenants with 600 + credit scores, solid employment, and positive prior landlord references.  

@Timothy McKinneyIf your partner is self-employed, he should consider opening a self-directed solo 401k, then transferring his former employer 401k to it and then processing a solo 401k participant loan.

I sold my business and have a little money to move into full time real estate but cant show good enough tax returns right now being I was self employed and beat it down real far.

Plenty of land available and plenty of employment opportunities.  

I know often employers don't want to add another head count to their tax docs. 

It's all negotiable.Now, if you just don't want to deal with this guy because he seems slimy -- and that would probably be my initial reaction -- then you can find out who his employing broker is and call and complain.

FAQ: Can I use education or military service in lieu of employment?

Though this felt a bit less oppressive, because of excessive taxation for being self employed it still wasn’t enough to even survive and I was dependent upon my wife’s income.