"Grossing-Up" Non-Taxable Income
Did you know that you can gross up non-taxable income?
You may gross up non-taxable income for income qualifying purposes. The non-taxable income source being "grossed-up" must be documented.
Non-taxable income refers to types of income not subject to federal taxes, which includes, but is not limited to:
- some portion of Social Security Income;
- some federal government employee Retirement Income;
- Railroad Retirement benefits;
- some state government Retirement Income;
- certain types of disability and Public Assistance payments;
- Child Support;
- military allowances; and
- other income that is documented as being exempt from federal income taxes.
The percentage to be grossed-up varies by agency:
- FHA – the greater of 15% or the appropriate tax rate for the income amount
- USDA – 25%
- VA – 25%
- Freddie Mac – 25% or the amount of the current federal and state income tax withholdings tables
- Fannie Mae – 25% or the amount of the current federal and state income tax withholdings tables
- Jumbo – 25% (see guidelines for specific restrictions)
Refer to the Employment & Income/Non-Taxable Income topic in FWL Guidelines details.