Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The obsession with income and class place here is disgusting.

I definitely agree with this. However, I think this is true in most cities amongst higher earning people, especially those without family money. Do you really think its just DC?

I don't know... I moved to DC from another big city and I never EVER felt as poor as I do here or as judged as I am here. I make more now - substantially more - but what you make and who you know just seem to be so much more prevalent in people's lives here than other places I've lived. I don't know anyone important - or those that I do I don't really give a shit that I do - but the focus on money here has been a bit off putting. I never in my wildest dreams thought I could be made to feel like a failure with the income I have, and yet, there's a perpetual undercurrent of cash rules here.

Anonymous wrote:The obsession with income and class place here is disgusting.

Um this is the Money and Finances forum. Duh.

Gross income on your tax return is a very very good estimate for 95% of the people. But the IRS has some rules about what should and should not be counted. For example, retirement withdrawals may or may not be included. And then you have depreciation on rental properties, which impacts your taxes but does not impact your income.

It's generally pretty straightforward - it's what's on your tax return.