Gross pay is the figure on the job ad. Take-home pay is what is left after deductions. Today you will build a simple practice spreadsheet that turns a gross figure into an estimated take-home figure using one flat rate.
If you do not have a project wage yet, your teacher will give you a sample figure. If you do not have {{code:sm3_vat_calc.xlsx}} in {{code:sm3}}, create a new workbook there with that name and build only the {{code:TakeHome_Pay}} sheet today.
Think of a weekly or monthly gross figure that matters to your project: a Work Experience rate, a target salary, or an owner's draw. Roughly what fraction do you think would remain as take-home pay in Ireland?
Before formulas, lock in four ideas. Real Irish take-home uses PAYE bands, tax credits, USC and PRSI. Your model uses one flat rate so the spreadsheet logic stays clear.
| Concept | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay: full amount before deductions | Job ads and contracts usually quote gross first | Centra weekend: €14 × 12 hrs = €168 gross |
| Take-home (net): what remains after deductions | Rent, travel and project costs come from take-home | 25% off €168 → €126 for planning only |
| Flat tax rate (classroom): one percentage on the whole gross | Lets you practise formula structure without every Revenue band | Type 0.25, format as 25%; never type 25 |
| Not tax advice: school model must not set real payroll or a return | Real deductions depend on credits, bands, USC, PRSI and personal circumstances | Label the sheet classroom-only before you share it |
You will type the full disclaimer into the sheet in the next activity. Keep the flat rate as 0.25 under the hood.
Same workbook as VAT: a new sheet inside it, not a new topic file. Open your sm3 workbook ({{code:sm3_vat_calc}}) and add a sheet named TakeHome_Pay. Follow the platform tabs for Excel Online or Google Sheets. Every figure is for classroom practice only.
Board snapshot (worked example): Gross monthly €2,400 · flat rate 25% · tax €600 · take-home €1,800. Tax = gross × rate. Take-home = gross − tax. Change gross and both results update.
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Tax amount looks huge (thousands of percent of pay) | You probably typed 25 instead of 0.25. Clear the rate cell, type 0.25, then format as Percentage. |
| Changing gross pay does not update tax or take-home | Those cells may contain typed numbers. Re-enter {{code:=B3*B4}} and {{code:=B3-B5}} so they are live formulas. |
| Currency shows $ or no euro symbol, or B4 no longer shows 25% | Format only B3, B5 and B6 as euro with 2 decimal places. Do not format B4 as currency. Do not type the € sign into the formula cell itself. |
| I cannot find my VAT workbook | Check {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm3/}}. If the file is missing, create a new workbook there named {{code:sm3_vat_calc.xlsx}} (Sheets: {{code:sm3_vat_calc}}) and build only the TakeHome_Pay sheet today. |
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