<p>Doing the parent section of the UC app, asks for parent's "gross income". We contribute to tax deferred 403B, so not sure if I should put the total before deductions or the amount left over after tax deferred deductions. On the tax return, gross income is the amount after deferred deductions. Common app has a section to included deferred compensation, but it doesn't appear on the UC app.</p>
<p>tnx</p>
<p>I would call them and ask (if that’s a possibility) or see if there’s a “comments” section like at the end of CSS profile where you explain the difference between the two. If not, write your own note saying: this is our gross income; this is our gross taxable income; and explain the deduction.</p>
<p>Both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile add tax deferred contributions to retirement accounts back into income. So I would expect that the request for “gross income” is indeed “gross” rather than “taxable” income.</p>
<p>As I remember from applying a few years ago, the feeling is that a 403B contribution is optional; you could divert that money to college tuition if you really wanted to. So schools want to know about it and you have to include it when you report your total income.</p>
<p>My husband and I did not want to skimp on our retirement savings, which is one reason our kids are going to/headed for instate public colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! It does make sense that it should be pre-deferred deduction income, otherwise it would be possible to game the system by maximizing contributions. We can do both 403b and 457b, which would take a lot off the table.</p>