Unearned Income

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Unearned Income


Unearned Income


What is the dictionary definition of Unearned Income?

Dictionary Definition


Unearned Income refers to income not derived from trades, vocations or professionals, or from the emoluments of office.

In the United Kingdom, it was formerly taxed more heavily than earned income through the imposition of an surcharge on investment-income.

Earned and unearned income are now taxed at essentially the same rate (with the exception of minor differences in the treatment of income from savings and company dividends).


Full Definition of Unearned Income


Unearned income is any income that comes from sources other than employment (work). Examples of unearned income include interest from bonds, savings accounts, and other sources; dividends from stocks; capital gains from selling investments at a profit; and income from rental property. Some unearned income is taxed at the regular income tax rate; other unearned income is taxed at a lower rate, often to encourage further investment. Proceeds from retirement plans and Social Security payments are also treated as unearned income, even though they derive in part from the earned income of an individual’s prior employment. Gifts, inheritances, royalties, in-kind support, awards, and prizes are considered unearned income. As such, they are treated differently from earned income for tax purposes.


Synonyms For Unearned Income


unearned revenue, unearned income other than pensions, income, revenue, rents


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Definition Sources


Definitions for Unearned Income are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 5th February, 2020 | 0 Views.