We will now look at how to calculate the tax that a worker (employee) has to pay. This is called a personal tax liability. Individuals who work are called employees. Employees earn a wage or salary.
A wage is payment for the number of hours worked or the quantity of goods produced in a week/ month.
A salary is a fixed payment per year which is paid weekly/fortnightly/monthly.
When they receive their wage/salary they must receive a wage slip. A wage slip (or payslip) is a record of pay, e.g. hours worked/payment/tax liability/tax credits/statuory and non-statutory deductions.
Sample Wage Slip
1. • Name of employee • Employee’s PPSN • The date the
payment was made
• The week of the year
2. Basic pay plus extra income earned such as commission/bonuses/ overtime, etc.
3. Gross pay is payment before any deductions (such as taxes) are taken away. In this case, it’s €1,200.
4. Total deductions
a) Statutory deductions: payment which must be paid by law, e.g. taxes PAYE PRSI USC
b) Non-statutory deductions (voluntary): payments which the employee pays by choice. • Health insurance • Trade union fees • Pension
Point of Information
Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), e.g. PPS no. 85674952B. Every employee has a unique PPSN which is used by Revenue and other government departments. A PPS number is allocated to you when you are born.
P. 82 Wage Slip
Employee name: Allen Curran PPS No: 1234567G
Earnings
Basic wage Commission
Date: 4 March 2024 Week No. 10 Deductions
1,000 PAYE 200 PRSI USC
Health insurance Union fees Pension
Total Deductions Gross Pay 1,200 Net Pay €736
5. Net pay (also known as ‘take- home pay’) is the money that the employee (worker) takes home after all deductions are taken away. In this case, it’s €736.