HSMP related queries

I am in the UK for last more
than 12 months working on WP. I wanted to apply for
HSMP (I am more than 28 yrs in age). Can you please
help me with my following queries:

1> To gain points on the earning, My income for last 1
year needs to be at least £40,000. If I have worked
for 2 employers in last 1 year then can I add up my
earnings from these 2 employers to make it £40,000 ?

2> It says my earnings need to be at least £40,000 for
last 1 year in order to earn any points for earning.
Is this £40,000 before-tax salary (i.e. gross) or is
it after-tax (i.e. take home) salary?

Your answers are highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Just a clarification - you only need the 40K in income if you claim points in this area. If you have enough points in other areas, you do not need to score points in this area and show 40K in earnings.

1) yes you can add up the income
2) Gross (can also include bonuses etc)

How to consider bonus in this situation.

In my case I will submitt my HSMP application April 2005 with annul salary of £38500K. I got my bonus in last June 2004 for £2500. This will be second month of my last 12 month earning.

Can I add this bonus 2500 to 38500 directly so it becomes £40500

OR

I need to spread the bonus in 12 months and then add as per monthly calculation e.g. 2500/12=208.33 for 1 month.

so since I got my bonus in the second month of the last 12 month I can only consider 208.33 * 2 = 416.66 pounds to be added to my salary, which wont be even £39000.

Would really appreciate if someone can share having experience of this situation and got HSMP approved.

Chris

IMHO, if you recieved it in the 12 months preceeding your application then you must just add it on. I know of people who have waited for the bonus to come thruough before submitting their applications.