total income questions in surveys

[voynagal]

what do most of you do when the question is asked what is you total taxable income?  Some specifically ask what it was for 2011.  But most do not.  For me there is going to be a drastic income difference from last year to projected income for this year.  Any suggestions?

[bostonphil]

That is a problem when it is not clear whether you should report 2011 income or 2012 income. I would assume that it is based on 2011 income since you can not fully project what 2012 will be. Of course, if you were unemployed for most or all of 2011 and you have been employed most of 2012, you might want to report what you think 2012 income will be.  Maybe you could average 2011 and 2012. 

[swogden]

Most surveys that I've done have asked for total household income (not taxable -- big difference in my opininon) and have usually  given me a year.  Since my income does not change much from year to year, my answer is pretty easy.

In your case, I suggest you response using a guide line like:  what would you tell your mother?

[TOMAS7]

for me if it offers the option prefer not to say, I go with that, as I find it offensive that they are asking. I am sure that has probably DQ'd me on more than one occassion but in those cases I still prefer to keep that information to myself, they do not really need to have that demographic. I was raised in that we did not discuss such things and find that it is tacky for anyone to ask, survey or not. If they do not ask, I usually go below my actual as again, I do not find it any of their business. Maybe I am wrong but that is my background. 

[voynagal]

That is a problem when it is not clear whether you should report 2011 income or 2012 income. I would assume that it is based on 2011 income since you can not fully project what 2012 will be. Of course, if you were unemployed for most or all of 2011 and you have been employed most of 2012, you might want to report what you think 2012 income will be.  Maybe you could average 2011 and 2012. 

that's a good suggestion to average the 2011 and the projected 2012.  I like it thanks!

[meg0694]

I always go by 2011 year.  Not sure that is correct but that is what I do.