Earned income is income that you had to work to earn, either working for someone else who pays you or working in a business you own and run. Use your earned income to figure your eligibility for certain tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Credit. Earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable income union strike benefits long-term disability benefits received prior to minimum retirement age net earnings from self-employment gross income received as a statutory employee. For reference, pay that is not considered earned income includes pay received for work while an inmate in a penal institution interest and dividends retirement income social security unemployment benefits alimony child support