Target salary
You want to keep $4,000 after 25% tax.
Gross needs to be about $5,333.33.
You have to earn more upfront so the tax still leaves the target net amount.
Net to Gross Calculator
Use this calculator when you know the amount you want to keep and need to work out the bigger gross number behind it.
Inputs
Net to Gross Calculator
Work backward from take-home pay to the gross amount before tax.
Results
Gross-up breakdown
Use this when you know the net amount and need the pre-tax figure.
Gross amount
$5,333.33
Pre-tax amount before withholding.
Tax added
$1,333.33
Amount added on top of the net value.
Gross-up factor
1.33x
How much larger gross is than net.
Quick take
A quick read before you calculate
Use this calculator when you know the amount you want to keep and need to work out the bigger gross number behind it.
Formula
Net to gross formula
Examples
2-3 real scenarios to make the result easier to trust.
FAQ
Clear answers to the questions people usually ask first.
Formula
Net to gross formula
Gross amount = Net amount ÷ (1 - Tax rate). Tax amount = Gross amount - Net amount.
It is the reverse of a standard take-home pay calculation.
Examples
Client fee
You want $1,200 net with 20% tax.
Gross invoice should be $1,500.
This helps when you quote a fee and want to protect your take-home amount.
Higher tax band
You need $6,000 net with 35% tax.
Gross lands at about $9,230.77.
The higher the tax rate, the more the gross amount has to rise to hit the same net target.
When to use
Use it when you need to quote a pre-tax fee, negotiate a salary, or reverse-engineer the invoice amount behind a target net figure.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that the tax rate must be below 100%.
- Treating the gross amount as the final amount instead of the pre-tax value.
- Using the wrong tax rate for the country, contract, or income type.
FAQ
Why does the gross amount jump so much?
Because tax is taken from the gross figure, so the starting amount must be higher to leave the desired net value.
Can I use this for invoices?
Yes. It is helpful when you know the amount you want to keep and need to add tax back on top.
Next step
Keep client billing simple
If you send invoices often, QuickBooks or Xero can help keep gross, tax, and payment history organized.
Recheck the gross-up any time the tax rate changes.