How can I legally reduce my income?

Q: My children attend private school on a scholarship based on our family’s low income. I recently got a part-time job making $8,000 a year that will put me $4,000 over the limit if I keep it all year. I need to find a legal way not to count my income. Can you help?
A: You could reduce the adjusted gross income on your tax return by contributing that $4,000 to a deductible IRA. Or, put it into a flexible spending account for medical or child care expenses if your employer offers one (Caution: you would lose any money you had not spent on qualifying expenses during the year.)
But before you do anything, take a close look at the school’s financial aid form. It might require you to add IRA and flexible spending account contributions to your adjusted gross income.