Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
Also called: AGI, adjusted gross income
AGI is gross income minus specific 'above the line' adjustments — deductible retirement contributions, HSA contributions, student loan interest, half of self-employment tax. It matters beyond its own line because dozens of thresholds key off it: deduction phase-outs, credit eligibility, Medicare premiums, even some state taxes. Lowering AGI can therefore save far more than the marginal rate on the dollars removed.