Which term refers to the total amount before deductions such as tax?

• A. Net
• B. Total
• C. Gross
• D. Final

Answer: (C)

Distinguishing amounts before and after deductions. The term that describes the total amount before deductions such as tax is gross. Gross income or gross salary means the full amount earned before any taxes or other deductions are taken out, while the net amount is what you actually receive after those deductions. This idea also shows up in other contexts, like gross weight versus net weight, where gross is the total before removing packaging or tare. The other terms don’t fit as precisely: net refers to the remaining amount after deductions, final usually indicates the last or ultimate figure after processing, and total is a general sum without specifying that it’s before deductions. For example, a gross pay of $3,000 becomes net pay after taxes and benefits.