Deductions
(Rules on allowable deductions from income)

As of Oct. 1, 2008, effective through Sept. 30 2009

Gross income means a household's total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions.

• A 20-percent deduction from earned income 

• A standard deduction of $144 for most households (higher for larger households, and in Alaska, Hawaii and Guam)

• A dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education

• Medical expenses for elderly or disabled members which are more than $35 for the month if they are not paid by insurance or someone else 

• Legally owed child support payments 

• Excess shelter costs that are more than half of the household's income after the other deductions. Allowable costs include the cost of fuel to heat and cook with, electricity, water, the basic fee for one telephone, rent or mortgage payments and taxes on the home. The amount of the shelter deduction cannot be more than $446 unless one person in the household is elderly or disabled. (The limit is higher in Alaska, Hawaii and Guam.) 

Last modified: 11/21/2008