What you don’t get paid is not pay.

That is money that leaves the employer’s account and goes into the employee’s account (or government’s account for tax withholding).

I don’t see how this can be obfuscated.

Yes, but how is this relevant. That is also not calculated based on a pay formula. It's reported.

Eh. Not worth arguing about.

Not my area of expertise. That's why I pay an accountant.

Thank you for contributing your wisdom