Gross total income refers to the total income earned by an individual from all sources before any deductions, exemptions, or allowances are made. It includes income from wages, rental income, interest income, dividends, and other sources. Gross income is also referred to as gross pay when its on a paycheck. Gross income is used to calculate an individuals tax liability, and it is the starting point for calculating taxable income. It is important to note that gross income is different from net income, which is the amount of income an individual takes home after taxes and other deductions have been made.