Gross Earnings

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Gross Earnings'

1. For individuals, the total income earned in a year, as calculated prior to any tax deductions or adjustments.

2. For public companies, gross earnings is an accounting convention, referring to the amount of initial profit left over from total revenues for a specified time period, once cost of goods sold have been deducted.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Gross Earnings'

1. For example, consider John who earned a total of $50,000 for the recently completed fiscal year, and made $5,000 of contributions to a government-sponsored savings plan. Because his contributions reduce his taxable earnings, John is allowed to base his tax calculations off taxable earnings of $45,000, while his actual gross earnings for the year are $50,000.

2. A company's gross earnings are reported periodically on its income statement. The first line of the income statement reports a company's total sales for a given time period. When cost of goods sold (COGS) is subtracted from this number, the remaining difference is referred to as the company's gross earnings.

Related Definitions

  • Gross Income

    1. An individual's total personal income before taking taxes or deductions into account. 2. A company's revenue minus cost of goods sold. Also called "gross margin" and "gross profit".
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  • Cost Of Goods Sold - COGS

    The direct costs attributable to the production of the goods sold by a company. This amount includes the cost of the materials used in creating the good along with the direct labor costs ...
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  • Income

    Economic wealth that is generated in exchange for an individual's performance of agreed upon activities or through investing capital. Income is consumed to fuel day-to-day ...
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    • Net Income - NI

      1. A company's total earnings (or profit). Net income is calculated by taking revenues and adjusting for the cost of doing business, depreciation, interest, taxes and other expenses. ...
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    • Operating Income

      The amount of profit realized from a business's operations after taking out operating expenses - such as cost of goods sold (COGS) or wages - and depreciation. Operating income takes the ...
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    • Taxable Income

      The amount of income that is used to calculate an individual’s or a company’s income tax due. Taxable income is generally described as gross income or adjusted gross income minus any ...
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    • Income Statement

      A financial statement that measures a company's financial performance over a specific accounting period. Financial performance is assessed by giving a summary of how the business incurs ...
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    • Adjusted Gross Income - AGI

      A measure of income used to determine how much of your income is taxable. Adjusted gross income (AGI) is calculated as your gross income from taxable sources minus allowable deductions, ...
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    • Gross Profit

      A company's revenue minus its cost of goods sold. Gross profit is a company's residual profit after selling a product or service and deducting the cost associated with its production and ...
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