Can a non-earning Musi declare a yearly Hissa Amad payment of less than $300?

From Fiscal Year 2009–2010 onwards, the minimum standard of income fixed by Markaz for the USA Jama'at — also referred to as "pocket money" for non-earning members, including homemakers — is $250 (two hundred and fifty dollars) per month. At the standard Wasiyyat rate of 1/10, this equates to a minimum Chanda Hissa Amad of $25 per month, or $300 per year.

Where a Musi has pledged a higher Wasiyyat rate, the minimum is calculated on the same $250 minimum monthly pocket money at that rate. A Musi at 1/5, for example, would owe a minimum of $50 per month, or $600 per year.

There are only three exceptions to this rule:

1. Students may pay less than the annual minimum, according to their means and in consultation with their Jama'at. Under Sources of Income in Step 4, they must select the Student option.

2. New non-earning Musian whose Effective Date of Wasiyyat falls after the start of the fiscal year on July 1, since their first year is a partial one. Such Musian pay a pro-rated share of the annual minimum, based on the number of months remaining from the Effective Date to the fiscal year end on June 30. The Effective Date is either the Date of Application or the Date of Acceptance, depending on the option the Musi selected in their Wasiyyat application.

3. Non-earning Musian who migrated to the USA during the fiscal year and made partial payments in their country of origin as well as in the USA. Such Musian pay a pro-rated share of the annual minimum for the months of the fiscal year spent in the USA, and declare the payments made in their country of origin separately.

All other non-earning, non-student Musian must pay at least the annual minimum for their Wasiyyat rate — $300 at the rate of 1/10 — and must declare accordingly.