At Brand’s Payroll, we believe net-to-gross shouldn’t be an extra step—it should be built into the payroll experience itself. That’s where most systems get it wrong, and that’s why we do it differently.

What Is Net-to-Gross Calculation?

Typically, when you enter an employee’s pay, payroll software calculates deductions and taxes to arrive at the net amount (the take-home pay). But what if you want to guarantee an employee receives a specific amount, say a $1,000 bonus after taxes? Figuring out the correct gross amount can be tedious.

Enter net-to-gross: Instead of manually calculating the pre-tax amount, you simply enter the net figure you want the employee to receive, and the system automatically adjusts the gross pay to account for deductions.

This feature is particularly useful for:

- Bonuses, commissions, and incentive payments

- Off-cycle payroll or reimbursements

- Signing bonuses and relocation stipends

- Special compensation packages where the employer covers taxes

The Problem: Most Payroll Systems Make This Harder Than It Needs to Be

Many payroll providers technically support net-to-gross calculations—but their implementation is flawed. Here’s what most providers get wrong:

1. It’s Buried in a Separate Calculator

In many payroll systems, net-to-gross isn’t part of the actual payroll workflow. Instead, users must navigate to an external “bonus calculator,” enter a separate calculation, retrieve the gross amount, and then manually enter it into payroll. This adds unnecessary steps and increases the risk of human error.

2. It’s an Afterthought, Not a Feature

While some payroll providers offer net-to-gross for bonuses, they often limit how and when it can be used. Employers may only be able to apply it during certain payroll runs or for specific payment types, rather than using it dynamically whenever they need it.

3. It Disrupts Payroll Flow

Because these tools are separate from the main payroll interface, users have to stop their payroll process, do outside calculations, and then re-enter data. Payroll should be smooth and efficient—not a constant back-and-forth.

How Brand’s Payroll Gets It Right

We took a different approach. With Brand’s Payroll, the net-to-gross option is built directly into each check.

Here’s why that matters:

✅ One-Click Simplicity

Within the framework of each individual check, you can toggle net-to-gross directly, ensuring the correct gross pay is calculated in real-time. No need for a separate tool or manual adjustments.

✅ No Guesswork, No Errors

Enter the net amount you want an employee to receive, and our system automatically calculates the right gross pay, factoring in all taxes and deductions. You get accuracy without extra steps.

✅ Fully Integrated, Not an Add-On

Instead of treating net-to-gross as a separate feature you have to hunt for, we made it an intuitive part of payroll itself. It works whenever you need it, without breaking your workflow.

The Bottom Line: Payroll Should Work for You, Not Against You

Net-to-gross calculation isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer for payroll efficiency. Yet, most providers bury it in extra steps, separate calculators, or unnecessary complexity.

At Brand’s Payroll, we built it directly into the process because we believe payroll should be effortless. The right tools don’t just support your business—they remove obstacles so you can focus on what matters most.

If you’re tired of jumping through hoops for simple payroll tasks, it might be time to switch to a provider that gets it right. Schedule a demo today and see how payroll should be done.