Which of the following represents the total money one gets 'to take home'?

Net pay represents the total amount of money that an employee takes home after all deductions have been made from their gross pay. These deductions can include federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, health insurance premiums, and retirement contributions. Essentially, net pay is what remains after all necessary withholdings, giving a more accurate picture of the available income for spending or saving.

In contrast, gross pay reflects the total earnings before any deductions are taken out and does not represent the actual amount an individual will receive in their paycheck. The W-2 amount, which summarizes an employee's annual earnings and tax information, also does not account for the deductions that would reduce an employee's take-home pay. Taxes paid, while a necessary component of the payroll process, are merely a portion of the deductions from gross pay and do not represent the take-home amount.

Therefore, net pay is the correct answer as it directly represents the income an individual can actually utilize after all deductions have been accounted for.