Should I pay Zakaat on my total income?

Answer

Zakaat is not paid on income. It is paid on the cash amount one has on the date one pays one's Zakaat. Zakaat has to be paid every 12 months. Therefore, you must fix a date, e.g. 20th Ramadhaan, to be the end of your Zakaat year. Then every year on this date, calculate your Zakaat on whatever cash, savings and gold/silver jewellery you have. Zakaat is not payable on the money you had spent during the course of the year.