Unearned Income

Categories: Accounting, Tax

Money you make but don't... earn.

If you strike it rich by selling ideas to Hollywood and live off your royalties while lounging by the pool, the royalties are unearned income. If you're from Old Money, you might never have to work a day in your life because you make oodles from investments. The cash from those investments is also unearned income.

Find other enlightening terms in Shmoop Finance Genius Bar(f)