Payroll Concepts
Net pay
Take-home pay after PAYE, UIF and any voluntary deductions have been subtracted from gross pay.
Full definition
Net pay (take-home pay) is the amount the employee receives in their bank account after PAYE, UIF, retirement fund, medical aid and any other agreed deductions have been subtracted from gross pay.
See also
Gross pay
Total remuneration before any deductions — salary + allowances + bonuses + taxable benefits.
PAYE
Pay-As-You-Earn is the monthly income tax an employer withholds from each employee's salary and pays over to SARS.
UIF
The Unemployment Insurance Fund is a 1% employee + 1% employer contribution capped at R17,712 monthly earnings.
Automate Net pay in your payroll
Payroll Africa handles Net pay calculations automatically for South African employers — SARS-aligned for 2026/27. From R90/month.
Browse the full South African payroll glossary — 55 terms explained.