Income refers to the money that an individual or entity earns over a specific period, typically through work, investments, or business activities. It can come from various sources, such as salaries, wages, rental properties, dividends from stocks, or profits from a business. Understanding income is essential for managing finances and planning for future expenses. There are different types of income, including earned income, which is money received from employment, and unearned income, which comes from investments or other passive sources. Income is often subject to taxes, which can affect the amount that individuals or businesses ultimately take home.