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    Payroll Concepts

    Gross pay

    Total remuneration before any deductions — salary + allowances + bonuses + taxable benefits.

    Full definition

    Gross pay is the total amount an employer contractually agrees to pay before any deductions. It includes basic salary, taxable allowances (travel, cellphone), bonuses, commission and the cash equivalent of taxable fringe benefits.

    See also

    Net pay
    Take-home pay after PAYE, UIF and any voluntary deductions have been subtracted from gross pay.
    Cost to Company (CTC)
    The total annual cost of employing a person — gross pay plus every employer contribution.

    Automate Gross pay in your payroll

    Payroll Africa handles Gross pay calculations automatically for South African employers — SARS-aligned for 2026/27. From R90/month.

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    Browse the full South African payroll glossary — 55 terms explained.

    Let payroll handle Gross pay for you

    Payroll Africa calculates it automatically every month for South African employers — SARS-aligned, with payslips, EMP201 and IRP5 included.

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