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I'm planning on applying for a CC soon and I'm unsure of what I should put in the "Annual Salary and Wages" field since I'm a student and self-employed.
Is it asking for my income last year, my estimated income for this calendar year, or my estimated income for the next 12 months?
I usually put down my estimated income for the current year but I am not self employed or a student
If W2: whatever your last two paystubs say you make, or tax return reported income.
Anything else: go by tax returns generally as that's what they'll ask for if you ever have to verify.
If you are making more than you did last year, can't justify it via paystubs, and can make a credible argument that you will continue to receive that amount, I'd probably put it down and if they called me on it, produce a lot more documentation though it'd admittedly be awkward.
Don't make it more complicated than it is: whatever you feel comfortable stating to a judge that you make, that's reasonable to put down; if you don't feel comfortable doing that (perjury or otherwise) don't put that value down.
@john398 wrote:I usually put down my estimated income for the current year but I am not self employed or a student
I'm a law student and I've put my expected income on all of my applications, most were approved without requesting evidence. Citi was the only one that asked for proof. I sent in my post-grad job offer and was approved. Although the limit was a lot less than I expected. I assume that if I actually had payslips my limit would have been higher.
On a similarly related but slightly different note:
Gross or net?
The logical/obvious answer would be net, because who cares what you make gross, it is what you take home that shows your ability to pay debt(s).
However, obviously unless otherwise specifically stated ("state your NET income") or something, is it immoral to leave it open to interpretation and give your gross?
Just to play devil's advocate here, I'd say the logic would be: ill give you my gross pay, because what i pay in taxes is none of your business. (or something?)
I think most companies do ask for net specifically, for obvious reasons, but I have certainly come across apps where this was not clear.
What i did find kind of interesting was that NFCU specifically asked for my gross pay, so i was happy to give em my "inflated" number =).
@xerostatus wrote:On a similarly related but slightly different note:
Gross or net?
The logical/obvious answer would be net, because who cares what you make gross, it is what you take home that shows your ability to pay debt(s).
However, obviously unless otherwise specifically stated ("state your NET income") or something, is it immoral to leave it open to interpretation and give your gross?
Just to play devil's advocate here, I'd say the logic would be: ill give you my gross pay, because what i pay in taxes is none of your business. (or something?)
I think most companies do ask for net specifically, for obvious reasons, but I have certainly come across apps where this was not clear.
What i did find kind of interesting was that NFCU specifically asked for my gross pay, so i was happy to give em my "inflated" number =).
Consumer / personal cards it's all gross income. Always to my knowledge. Federal / state taxes aren't that complicated for the majority of people for a lender to napkin math it.
Also remember both EX and EQ report payments too, so a lender can get a very easy back of the hand assessment of your spend and ability to repay. These days most things for CC users go through their credit cards other than rent or mortgage and a few other things; it's just not a long walk.
Actually I'd suggest even on business applications it's gross income as well; business expenses are effectively deductions on taxes anyway.
In any event where have you seen net income asked for? AFAIK it never has been, ever, when it comes to any product: credit card, auto, or mortgage loan.
hmmm.. i do recall once I recon'd an app, and when they asked for income i replied, "before or after taxes?" so i can clarify. The rep said, after.
Maybe thats where i'm remembering this from.
Well, if gross is the defacto standard, that makes me feel better.