Barack, Michelle Obama earned $5.5 million in 2009

The credit crunch did not really touch the Obamas, as the US President and wife Michelle earned $5.5 million in 2009, which is more than twice their income in 2008.

The White House released Barack Obama's tax return on Thursday -- the day all Americans have to file their tax returns.

And it showed that the Obamas earned $5.5 million last year and paid nearly $1.8 million in federal income tax, reports The Telegraph.

In 2008, the Obamas made just under $2.5 million.

The White House said that the increase was due to increased sales of Obama's books.

Obama's books Dreams From My Father and The Audacity of Hope were on sale in 2008, but after he became the President sales have skyrocketed.

Obama, whose 'principal business or profession' was listed in his tax return as 'author', and the First Lady gave $329,000 to charities. That included $50,000 each to CARE and the United Negro College Fund.

The President also donated his $1.4-million Nobel Peace Prize award to 10 different charities.

The President's official annual salary is $400,000, which was raised from half that amount in 2001.

Image: Obama hugs his wife, Michelle, in the White House Red Room as Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett smiles. Photographs Pete Souza/The White House/Handout/ Reuters