Income is revenue that an individual or business earns in exchange for providing a good or service, or through investing capital. Income can come from a variety of sources and may be taxed at different rates, depending on the source. For individuals, this is primarily in the form of a wage or salary, but pensions, dividends, interest, and stock options are also sources of income. Earned income is revenue that an individual receives from performing their job. This is also called ordinary income. It is distinct from unearned income, which is considered to be any and all sources of income outside of regular employment, such as long-term capital gains. The reason that this distinction exists is because of the tax implications of each type of income. Ordinary income is subject to full taxation by the government, but certain sources of unearned income may be tax-exempt or taxed at a lower rate. For example, qualified dividends and long-term capital gains made on investments are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income. Income from social security is sometimes taxed at a lower rate as well, depending on the amount of income an individual receives from other sources. Some income may even be tax-exempt. Examples of tax-exempt income are US treasury securities, which are exempt at the state and local levels, and interest payments on municipal bonds, which may be exempt at the federal, state, and local level, and capital gains that are offset by capital losses. Disposable income is the personal income that an individual has remaining after paying income taxes. This income is spent on necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, and so on. Discretionary income is the money remaining after paying taxes and after purchasing necessities. This is the money people spend on things like vacations, luxuries, and other nonessentials.What Does Income Mean in Finance?
Income Example
Income FAQs
Income is revenue that an individual or business earns in exchange for providing a good or service, or through investing capital.
Earned Income is distinct from unearned income, which is considered to be any and all sources of income outside of regular employment, such as long-term capital gains. The reason that this distinction exists is because of the tax implications of each type of income.
Income can come from a variety of sources and may be taxed at different rates, depending on the source.
Earned income is revenue that an individual receives from performing their job. This is also called ordinary income.
Examples of tax exempt income are US treasury securities, which are federally exempt, and interest payments on municipal bonds, which may be exempt at the federal, state, and local level, and capital gains that are offset by capital losses.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.
