Is Khums Obligatory on My Allowance?

Question

A 16-year-old asks if they need to pay Khums on the money they save from their allowance, given that they do not have a fixed income.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

If you receive your allowance and other funds as gifts from your parents or others, as your question suggests, then you are not required to pay Khums on it.

Source: Educational Message - Khums on Profit (1) - Gifts - M7 + Answers to Inquiries, Expenditures, Gifts, and Hozah Salary, S1029.

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Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):

Khums is obligatory even if you received it as a gift, unless it is something that is typically prepared for future years, such as summer and winter clothing, or if you actually use it before your Khums year begins. However, if you no longer need it entirely before the start of your Khums year and you received it in the same year, then Khums is obligatory on it as a precaution.

The start of the Khums year is the first day of work, so your Khums year begins on the first day you work, not on a date you set. Generally, it is permissible to change the start of the Khums year by advancing it to an earlier date, thus paying Khums on the surplus profits on the new date, which will then be considered the start of your Khums year.

Yes, someone without a job can establish an independent Khums year for each benefit they receive.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - What exceeds the expenses of the year from benefits and profits, etc. + Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Book of Khums, M 1223, 1218 + Official site: 1, 2.

May you be successful in all good.