Let’s be honest—when you open your payslip, it can feel like trying to read another language.
What’s “gross”? What’s “net”? Why is there money being taken out of your salary, and where is it going?
Most companies don’t explain this stuff. But understanding your payslip is super important—especially if you’re new to formal employment in the UAE or you’re working hard to send money home every month.
At NOW Money, we believe you should know exactly where your money goes. That’s why we’re breaking down a typical UAE payslip—line by line.
We’ll also show you how the NOW Money app makes it easier to track your salary and spot mistakes before they become problems.
Let’s get into it.
Why It Matters
Your payslip isn’t just a piece of paper (or a PDF on WhatsApp). It’s your proof of income, your record of hours, and your first clue if something’s gone wrong.
Understanding it helps you:
- Make sure you’re being paid correctly
- Spot incorrect deductions
- Track overtime or bonuses
- Show proof of work history when needed (like for visa renewals or bank applications)
What You’ll Usually See on a UAE Payslip
Let’s break down a typical payslip section by section. Keep in mind, not every employer uses the same format—but most slips include something like this:
1. Employee Information
- Your Name
- Employee ID
- Job Title / Department
- Work Location
- Month / Pay Period
This section just confirms the payslip belongs to you, and covers the pay period it’s showing. Always double-check the dates—it should match your working month.
2. Basic Salary
This is your agreed monthly salary before any extra payments or deductions. It’s often the number that’s written in your contract.
For example, if your contract says AED 1,200/month, that’s your basic salary.
3. Allowances
Allowances are extra payments added on top of your basic salary. You might see:
- Housing Allowance – If your employer gives you money for rent
- Transport Allowance – For commuting costs
- Food Allowance – If meals aren’t provided
- Mobile / Communication Allowance – For work phone/data usage
- Overtime Pay – Based on hours worked outside normal hours
Example: If your basic salary is AED 1,200, and you got AED 200 for transport and AED 150 for food, your gross salary becomes AED 1,550.
4. Gross Salary
This is the total before deductions.
Gross = Basic + Allowances + Bonuses + Overtime
It’s what you “should” earn before anything gets taken out.
5. Deductions
This is the part where people get confused—and stressed.
Common deductions include:
- Visa or residency cost recovery – If agreed in your contract
- Advance salary repayment – If you took an early salary loan
- Absence or unpaid leave – If you missed work without approved leave
- Company fines – Rare, but could be for breaking company policies (like uniform damage or losing equipment)
Make sure these are all clearly explained. If you don’t know what a deduction is for, ask your HR or supervisor.
6. Net Salary
This is the final amount that actually lands in your account or wallet.
Net = Gross Salary – Deductions
This is the number you see in your NOW Money app when your salary is paid.
7. Payment Method / Account Info
This might show:
- The bank or digital wallet where your salary was sent
- The transaction ID
- The payment date
If something looks wrong (like a different bank account number), bring it up immediately with HR.
Quick Example
Let’s say Arif, a delivery driver in Ajman, gets his monthly payslip. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Basic Salary: AED 1,200
- Food Allowance: AED 200
- Overtime: AED 150
- Gross Salary: AED 1,550
- Deductions: AED 100 (repaying advance salary)
- Net Salary: AED 1,450
Arif checks his NOW Money app on payday and sees AED 1,450. Everything matches—no stress, no confusion.
How NOW Money Helps You Track Your Salary
If your salary goes into the NOW Money app, you get:
- Instant notification when your pay arrives
- A full salary history you can check anytime
- A clean breakdown of what you were paid and when
- In-app support in case you ever have questions
No need to wait for a WhatsApp from your employer. No guessing games.
We built our app to make every part of getting paid easier—especially for workers who might not have access to traditional banks.
What to Do If Something Looks Wrong
If your net salary is lower than usual, or a deduction doesn’t make sense:
- Stay calm—mistakes happen, and many are easy to fix
- Compare your payslip to previous months
- Ask your HR or manager to explain the difference
- Save all copies of your payslip for your records
If needed, contact MOHRE (600590000) for serious issues like unpaid salary
Your payslip is more than just numbers on a page. It tells the story of your work—and your pay. Understanding it helps you protect your income, plan your future, and speak up if something’s off.
With the NOW Money app, you don’t have to wonder if you got paid correctly. You’ll see it clearly, every month.
