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What Is Accessible Income?

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SmartAsset: What Is Accessible Income?

In general terms, your income is typically the money you earn from jobs that you work. But accessible income accounts for more than just your paycheck, as it includes most of the money you receive over a year. This definition of income is typically relevant on credit card applications. In turn, getting your accessible income estimation as high as possible will open up more opportunities for better credit cards.

Make sure you have a strong financial plan in place before you apply for too many credit cards. Talk to a financial advisor about your plans today.

What’s Considered to Be Accessible Income?

As its name suggests, accessible income is used to describe all of the money you have reasonable access to at any given time. This involves more than just income or tips you earn from jobs. Tips, bank accounts, scholarships and even government program payments are included in accessible income.

If you’re between the ages of 18 and 20, your accessible income is limited solely to personal income, scholarships, grants and allowances from parents or other individuals. However, once you turn 21, you can report even more as accessible income. Here’s what typically included:

  • Paychecks
  • Tips
  • Income of a spouse
  • Checking and savings accounts
  • Investments
  • Retirement funds and Social Security payments
  • Trust funds and gifts
  • Student financial aid
  • Child support and alimony
  • Passive income

Loans and other forms of borrowed assets should not be listed as accessible income. That’s because this money was given to you to pay specific expenses. Therefore, it’s not accessible to you in the same way that your bank account or retirement account balances are.

Accessible Income on a Credit Card Application

Accessible income is only used for personal reasons on credit card applications. In fact, outside of this situation, you may never come across the term again. When reporting this on a credit card application, you should tally up all of your eligible income and report that number instead of just listing the salary of your main job, for example.

Although credit card companies rarely take significant steps to verify your accessible income, it’s still a good idea to report it as truthfully as possible. Often, it’s difficult to get an exact number when it comes to accessible income, but try to get as close as possible to avoid being untruthful.

Bottom Line

SmartAsset: What Is Accessible Income?

You’ll find “accessible income” on a credit card application, as it allows the issuer to see all the money you have access to spend in a given year. If you’re only taking into account income you get from a job, you’re likely missing out on other income that is just as valuable. This could not only make getting approved for better cards more difficult, but it will also be much harder to accurately budget and plan out your life expenses.

Tips for Managing Your Money

  • A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan to get your finances in order. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
  • Investing is a great way to grow your finances to help you save for retirement or other financial goals you may have. SmartAsset’s free investment calculator can help you figure out how much you’ll need to earn to reach your targets.

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