収入

Refers to any money that comes into a person's or organization's possession. It is a neutral term used in both casual conversation and formal documents. While it generally translates to "income," it covers a broad range of inflows, including salaries, dividends, and rental income.

In a legal or tax context, it is crucial to distinguish "収入" (shūnyū) from "所得" (shotoku). "収入" refers to the total gross amount received (gross income), whereas "所得" refers to the amount remaining after deducting necessary expenses (net income/taxable income). Using "所得" when you mean "total money received" can be technically incorrect in official paperwork.

When discussing annual earnings, the compound word "年収" (nenshū) is far more common than saying "一年の収入." In social contexts, asking about someone's "収入" can be sensitive, so it is often phrased indirectly or discussed in the context of "income brackets."