Halachot and Customs
Tithing on Gross or Net Pay?
Question
I would appreciate a brief, to-the-point answer. I have decided, without making a vow, to set aside 10 percent of my salary. My gross pay is 10, and my net pay is about 7,900. There are deductions for pension, income tax, national insurance, and all those things. Pension is, in a sense, my money. Therefore, I do not understand how to tithe. Thank you
Answer
Greetings, You need to separate maaser only from the net amount of the salary, that is, only from what remains in your hands after deducting income tax, etc., and all work-related expenses, such as travel and the like (see Beit Yosef, Yoreh Deah 249:6, and Shevet HaLevi, vol. 5, siman 133, letter 4). There is no need at this time to separate maaser from the pension funds and national insurance, and only in later years, when these funds come into your hands, will you separate maaser from them.
With blessing, Hillel Meirs
