The difference between net and gross is essential because of the deductions and withholdings are of an insurance policy nature. In other words one should not demand premiums back, just because they did not make a claim. If you treat SSI like a tax, just because it is based on the amount of money you earn then you might more easily be presumed to owe that as a tax; rather than treating it like an insurance policy premium.


(Nibble, nibble...)