When it comes to employee compensation, the gross salary specified in an employment contract is a critical element. However, understanding the difference between the gross and net amount actually received is equally important for both employees and employers – what a company states as the gross amount is not what employee receives as their net pay. For businesses, it is necessary to understand the complexities of gross salary and its components to ensure compliance and transparency in payroll processes.

In case you are interested in a more detailed overview of the Polish payslip details, you may want to check out our comprehensive payslip reading guide, available also for free download.

Gross salary and net pay

The gross salary represents the remuneration stated in the employment contract. It is the amount from which various deductions are made, resulting in the net pay that an employee takes home. These deductions include social security contributions (e.g. pension, disability, sickness insurance), healthcare contribution and income tax advance. Thus, the amount received by the employee is in fact lower.

The formula to calculate net pay is as follows:

NET PAY = GROSS AMOUNT– SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS– HEALTHCARE CONTRIBUTION – INCOME TAX ADVANCE

Components of gross salary

To ensure transparency and fair compensation, employers and employees need to know what components gross salary is made up of. It consists of various elements, including:

• Bonuses,
• Overtime,
• Sick pay,
• Holiday pay,
• Benefits in kind (e.g. medical subscriptions, sports cards, life insurance)
• Sickness allowance, maternity allowance, care allowance
• PPE contribution (paid by employer).

With the exception of allowances, all of these components are subject to both ZUS contributions (sick pay – healthcare only) and taxation. Some components, however, may be exempt from ZUS contributions, like the employer’s PPE contribution and certain benefits in kind granted during maternity/parental leave, which are only subject to taxation.

Understanding social security contributions

Social security contributions play a significant role in determining an employee’s net pay. They are categorised into several types, each with its own rates and distribution between the employee and the employer. The types of contributions and their rates are as follows:

Healthcare contribution and income tax advance

The healthcare contribution is based on the gross salary minus social security contributions (13.71%). It is calculated at 9% of this base. Additionally, the income tax advance is computed using formula that considers the gross salary, social security contributions and tax-deductible costs. The tax thresholds, which determine the tax rate, are essential aspects of this calculation:

Income tax advance =  (Gross salary – social security contributions – Tax-deductible costs 250 PLN or 300 PLN) x 12% or 32%* – tax-free amount (300 PLN/month)

*Tax thresholds rates are:

• First tax threshold rate: 12%, up to amount 120 000 PLN.
• Second tax threshold rate: 32%, above 120 000 PLN.

Benefits in kind and voluntary deductions

Benefits in kind refer to non-monetary components of the salary, such as medical care packages, sports cards, or life insurance premiums, provided by the employer. These components are subject to social security contributions and taxation. On the other hand, voluntary deductions are not a subject to social contributions and tax and made from the net pay, typically including additional medical care packages, higher-than-standard value for sports cards and an additional deduction for PPE.

Payslip example

The payslip is an important document that provides a comprehensive overview of the employee’s earnings and the various deductions made to arrive at the net pay. Here are the key components for better understanding the compensation details:

• Gross salary, often referred to as the total earnings before any deductions, stands at PLN 10,687.90.
• The calculation for social security contributions involves subtracting sick pay (PLN 486.36) from the gross salary (PLN 10,687.90) and then applying a rate of 13,71%, in this case, the result would be PLN 1,398.63.
• The healthcare contribution is calculated by applying a rate of 9% to the gross salary (PLN 10,687.90) after deducting social security contributions (PLN 1,398.63), resulting in PLN 836.03.

• To determine the tax advance, first, the tax-deductible cost (PLN 250) is subtracted from the gross salary, then the resulting amount is multiplied by 12%, and finally, PLN 300 is subtracted. As a result, the amount of the tax advance is approximately PLN 785.
• The net pay is the amount you receive after all deductions have been subtracted from your gross salary. Starting with the gross salary (PLN 10,687.90), then subtracting social security contributions (PLN 1,398.63), healthcare contribution (PLN 836.03), tax advance (PLN 785), and any additional deductions such as PLN 200, PLN 100, PLN 50, and PLN 100. The result if the net pay, which in this case is approximately PLN 7,218.24.

Understanding the nuances of gross salary, social security contributions, healthcare contribution, income tax advance, benefits in kind, and voluntary deductions is critical for companies. By considering these aspects, companies can effectively manage their payroll processes, ensure compliance with tax and social security regulations, and maintain transparent and fair compensation practices for their employees.

Piotr Zajac

Managing Director | Accace Poland

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