Hello,

I am on IBR plan and my wife and I file jointly.  I am a teacher and make a regular salary, whereas my wife is a waitress and her salary varies greatly.  I would like to lower my payment amount with the Alternative Income form.  My wife will be laid off for the winter sometime in late October.  Her weekly pay is low if you only look at her hourly salary but she makes a significant amount more with declared tips.  If I submit the alternative income form now should I only list her hourly wage?  or should I list her tips on her most recent pay stubs?  Her tips can vary considerably from week to week.  If I have to include her tips it might make more sense for me to wait until she is laid off to submit the form but as it is right now with my monthly IBR payment we can’t pay all of our bills and I am looking for a second job, which is extremely difficult to find in the area I live in.  Thank you.