My Paycheck is on a Diet Understating your income may sound exciting, but it could turn into a bad idea. Overstating is actually what we all can easily relate to, but understating is something what some people are practicing these days. The motive behind this is to have a control over that part of income and it can withhold you from certain household responsibilities. But be alert while filing your taxes jointly. If you're your spouse has to sign the return, there are high chances of him or her to spot the high income number on that return. Thus will portray you as a selfish human and shake the trust between you two.