gross income

You use this phrase when talking about salaries, job offers, or taxes. It usually appears in professional settings or when filling out forms. You can say, "My gross income is $50,000." You are describing your base pay. It is a noun phrase. You can use it as a subject or an object. Just remember, it refers to the amount before deductions. If you talk about the money you actually keep, that is net income.

Use it during a job interview when discussing salary expectations. Use it when applying for a bank loan or a new apartment. Landlords want to know your gross income to see if you can afford rent. It is also the standard term for tax season. If you are bragging slightly about your high salary to a close friend, you might use it too. It makes the number sound more impressive than your take-home pay.

Do not use it when calculating your monthly budget for groceries. That would be a mistake! You cannot spend your gross income because some of it belongs to the tax office. Avoid using it in very casual settings like buying a coffee. You would not say, "My gross income allows for this latte." It sounds too robotic. Also, do not confuse it with gross meaning 'disgusting'. Nobody is saying your money is yucky!

In many English-speaking cultures, talking about money can be a bit taboo. However, gross income is the 'safe' technical term. It provides a layer of professional distance. In the US and UK, people often define their status by this number. It became a standard accounting term in the 19th century. Today, it is the universal language of HR departments and banks worldwide.

You might hear gross pay or gross earnings. These mean the exact same thing. In a business context, people might just say the gross. If you are looking at a paycheck, it might be labeled as Gross Total. On the flip side, always remember its rival: net income. Net is what remains in the 'net' after the taxes swim away!