Maaser: I need to AMLOR, but meanwhile...

amother

Yellow

Tue, Sep 08 2015, 1:27 am

Does anyone happen to know the halacha:
1. Do you deduct work-related expenses from income before taking maaser from it? Things like transportation costs, childcare?
2. Daughter is in a Bais Yaakov. I've heard tell that tuition might count as maaser? I don't think I can count that as childcare for work because I would most likely be sending this child to school regardless of my work status (I guess I could theoretically homeschool, but school would probably be my choice. Unlike younger babies/toddlers whose childcare costs are directly related to my work, so I'm thinking that should come off income.)
3. Do you take maaser from your tax refund if it's all in credits - I.e. not a refund of tax you actually paid but basically free money from the government? I'm going to guess yes?

Anything else you have learned about maaser that you think we should know?

ora_43

Tue, Sep 08 2015, 7:49 am

1. Yes, deduct work-related expenses.
2. I've heard that tuition counts as maaser only for adult children, and only if they're in financial need and living a simple lifestyle. Parents have an obligation to support their minor children (today, that means to age 18) and to educate them, so that's not maaser.
That said, I have heard that some poskim say tuition can be counted toward maaser from before a child hits 18 if parents can't afford both maaser and tuition. I don't know anyone who rules this way, but I've heard it said.
3. Yes.