<prompt> Human: i read a lot about people saying they are making 40k, 70k and up a year. that sounds a lot for me as a 23 year old in germany. so i want to ask if you do refer to your income before or after tax, medical insurance, no job insurance etc. and how much percentage of tax do you have to pay in the us? i ask because as a normal worker in germany it is considered a good salary to have like 27kyear after tax and all insurances that are required by law. this would probably about 40k before tax and everything.  <response>: Income expressed annually is before taxes, deductions, health care plans, etc. 