Where Your Pay Goes

Your contract says €3,000. Your account shows less.

For example: €3,000 gross pay.

Take away €500 income tax and €250 social contributions.

You receive €2,250 net.

The rates differ in every country. The steps are the same.

Do you know your own gross and net numbers?

Education, not investment advice.

Read the sheet as text

Title: Where Your Pay Goes
Highlight: Your Pay
Subtitle: The pay you agree is not the pay you receive.

Part 1: Gross Pay. Your pay before anything is taken out.
Part 2: Income Tax. Paid to the state from your pay.
Part 3: Social Contributions. Pension, health and work insurance.
Part 4: Net Pay. What reaches your account.

Example: For Example. €3,000 → €2,250 gross, minus €500 tax and €250 contributions.
Note: Example only. Rates differ by country, job and year.

Footer: redstartjournal.com · Education, not investment advice · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Sources (2)

Net earnings and tax rates (earn_net)Eurostat, undated metadata page: net earnings are gross earnings minus the employee's social security contributions and income tax (family allowances may be added). Checked 2026-10-29.
Glossary: EarningsEurostat Statistics Explained, undated: gross and net earnings defined. Checked 2026-10-29.