When you look at your payslip, the difference between Gross and Net amounts can look confusing. The reason for this are mandatory payments - contributions and taxes. On this page, we explain in detail exactly which taxes the state charges on your work in Serbia.
Income tax from dependent employment (salary) is the most important and largest tax you pay on your earnings. Unlike contributions (which go to pension or health insurance for your direct benefit in the future or in case of illness), income tax is revenue for your municipality or city.
This money is used to finance local infrastructure: kindergartens, schools, public transport, street maintenance, and local administration.
Income tax is NOT PAID on the entire Gross amount! It is always paid exclusively on the so-called Tax Base.
The tax base is obtained by subtracting your Personal Deduction (the non-taxable part of earnings that the state guarantees every citizen for basic living needs) from your salary (after pension contributions are deducted).
In addition to the basic state income tax, many systems allow local units (cities and municipalities) to collect an additional, local tax to "thicken" their budget. This can be implemented as an addition to the state tax (surtax) or through the city's autonomy to set its own tax rate (depending on what the current law of the selected region prescribes).
In everyday speech, citizens often confuse contributions and taxes, saying "the state takes 40% of my salary through taxes". While it is true that you do not receive that money in your account, it is important to legally and fundamentally distinguish these two terms: