Gross income
For households and individuals, gross income is the sum of all wages, salaries, profits, interest payments, rents, and other forms of earnings, before any deductions or taxes. It is opposed to net income, defined as the gross income minus taxes and other deductions.
For a firm, gross income is the difference between revenue and the cost of making a product or providing a service, before deducting overheads, payroll, taxation, and interest payments. This is different from operating profit. Gross margin is often used interchangeably with Gross Profit, but the terms are different. When speaking about a monetary amount, it is technically correct to use the term Gross Profit; when referring to a percentage or ratio, it is correct to use Gross Margin. In other words, Gross Margin is a percentage value, while Gross Profit is a monetary value.
Relationship with other accounting terms
The various deductions leading from net sales to net income are as follows:United States
In United States income tax law, gross income serves as the starting point for determining Federal and state income tax of individuals, corporations, estates and trusts, whether resident or non-resident.Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, "Except as otherwise provided" by law, gross income means "all income from whatever source derived," and is not limited to cash received. Federal tax regulations interpret this general rule. The amount of income recognized is generally the value received or the value which the taxpayer has a right to receive. Certain types of income are specifically excluded from gross income for tax purposes.
The time at which gross income becomes taxable is determined under Federal tax rules, which differ in some cases from financial accounting rules.
What is income
Individuals, corporations, members of partnerships, estates, trusts, and their beneficiaries are subject to income tax in the United States. The amount on which tax is computed, taxable income, equals gross less allowable tax deductions.The Internal Revenue Code gives specific examples. The examples are not all inclusive. The term "income" is not defined in the statute or regulations. An early Supreme Court case stated, "Income may be defined as the gain derived from capital, from labor, or from both combined, provided it is understood to include profit gained through a sale or conversion of capital assets." The Court also held that the amount of gross income on disposition of property is the proceeds less the basis of the property.
Gross income is not limited to cash received. "It includes income realized in any form, whether money, property, or services."
Following are some of the things that are included in income:
- Wages, fees for services, tips, and similar income. It is well established that income from personal services must be included in the gross income of the person who performs the services. Mere assignment of the income does not shift the liability for the tax.
- Interest received, as well as imputed interest on below market and gift loans.
- Dividends, including capital gain distributions, from corporations.
- Gross profit from sale of inventory. The sales price, net of discounts, less cost of goods sold is included in income.
- Gains on disposition of other property. Gain is measured as the excess of proceeds over the taxpayer's adjusted basis in the property. Losses from property may be allowed as tax deductions.
- Rents and royalties from use of tangible or intangible property. The full amount of rent or royalty is included in income, and expenses incurred to produce this income may be allowed as tax deductions.
- Alimony and separate maintenance payments.
- Pensions, annuities, and income from life insurance or endowment contracts.
- Distributive share of partnership income or pro rata share of income of an S corporation.
- State and local income tax refunds, to the extent previously deducted. Note that these are generally excluded from gross income for state and local income tax purposes.
- Any other income from whatever source. Even income from crimes is taxable and must be reported, as failure to do so is a crime in itself.
Year of inclusion
A taxpayer must include Income as part of taxable income in the year recognized under the taxpayer's method of accounting. Generally, a taxpayer using the cash method of accounting recognizes income when received. A taxpayer using the accrual method recognizes income when earned. Income is generally considered earned:- on sales of property when title to the property passes to the customer, and
- on performance of services when the services are performed
Amount of Income
Certain specific rules apply, including:
- Constructive receipt,
- Deferral of income from advance payment for goods or services,
- Determination what portion of an annuity is income and what portion is return of capital,
Exclusions from gross income: U.S. Federal income tax law
The courts have given very broad meaning to the phrase "all income from whatever source derived," interpreting it to include all income unless a specific exclusion applies. Certain types of income are specifically excluded from gross income. These may be referred to as exempt income, exclusions, or tax exemptions. Among the more common excluded items are the following:- Tax exempt interest. For Federal income tax, interest on state and municipal bonds is excluded from gross income. Some states provide an exemption from state income tax for certain bond interest.
- Some Social Security benefits. The amount exempt has varied by year. The exemption is phased out for individuals with gross income above certain amounts.
- Gifts and inheritances. However, a "gift" from an employer to an employee is considered compensation, and is generally included in gross income.
- Life insurance proceeds received by reason of the death of the insured person.
- Certain compensation for personal physical injury or physical sickness, including:
- *Amounts received under worker’s compensation acts for personal physical injuries or physical sickness,
- *Amounts received as damages in a suit or settlement for personal physical injuries or physical sickness,
- *Amounts received through insurance for personal physical injuries or physical sickness, and
- *Amounts received as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance for personal physical injuries or physical sickness resulting from active service in the armed forces.
- Scholarships. Amounts in the nature of compensation, such as for teaching, are included in gross income.
- Certain employee benefits. Non-taxable benefits include group health insurance, group life insurance for policies up to $50,000, and certain fringe benefits, including those under a flexible spending or cafeteria plan.
- Certain elective deferrals of salary.
- Meals and lodging provided to employees on employer premises for the convenience of the employer.
- Foreign earned income exclusion for U.S. citizens or residents for income earned outside the U.S. when the individual met qualifying tests.
- Income from discharge of indebtedness for insolvent taxpayers or in certain other cases.
- Contributions to capital received by a corporation.
- Gain up to $250,000 on the sale of a personal residence.
Some state rules provide for different inclusions and exclusions.