check Mark for close action
Try AccountingSuite™
for free
No credit card needed
Return to Glossary

Gross Pay

Gross Pay: The total amount of wages an employee has earned before any deductions or taxes are withheld.

Gross pay refers to the total amount of wages an employee has earned before any deductions or taxes are withheld. It is the employee's total earnings for a pay period, including regular wages, overtime pay, bonuses, and any other forms of compensation.

Employers use gross pay to calculate an employee's net pay, which is the amount of pay the employee receives after deductions and taxes are withheld. Deductions that are taken out of an employee's gross pay can include federal and state income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax, as well as any employee contributions to health insurance, retirement plans, or other benefits.

It is important for employers to accurately calculate an employee's gross pay and ensure that all required deductions are taken out of the paycheck. Failure to comply with wage and hour laws can result in legal penalties and damage to an employer's reputation.

Employees should review their pay stubs regularly to ensure that they are being paid accurately and that the appropriate deductions are being taken out of their paycheck. If an employee believes that there is an error in their pay, they should contact their employer's payroll department to have the issue resolved.

In conclusion, gross pay refers to the total amount of wages an employee has earned before any deductions or taxes are withheld. Employers use gross pay to calculate an employee's net pay, and it is important for employers to accurately calculate gross pay and ensure that all required deductions are taken out of the paycheck. Employees should review their pay stubs regularly to ensure that they are being paid accurately and that the appropriate deductions are being taken out of their paycheck.