The best way to ensure country-wide compliance no matter what is to choose a payroll provider that specializes in delivering an effective and accurate service. As a provider of award-winning international payroll, IRIS FMP is used to navigating the complexities of multiple compliance.
When should I receive my pay stub?
In the US, Federal law does not require employers to pay between specific intervals (for instance, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly), however, state laws might. The Fair Labor Standards Act says that employers must pay their workers “promptly.” Though unspecific, it is generally understood that pay should be received as soon after the most recent pay period as possible.
Should my pay stub be paper or electronic?
This depends on the state where the employment is based. As presented above, if you are in one of the eleven states that require employers to provide printed statements, then your pay stub will be delivered in printed form. It most of these ‘Printed’ states, employers are allowed to provide these electronically, as long as they are printable.
If in one of the ‘Access’ states, employers must provide employees with access to a pay statement, however, this does not need to be printed. And finally, if you are in a ‘No Requirement’ state, then employers are not required to give you a pay stub at all.
What deductions can employers make on pay stubs?
Your employer will withhold a certain amount from your pay for taxes and items dictated by FICA, such as Federal Income tax and Social Security contributions. Employers can make deductions from your pay stub that are either:
- legally authorized
- voluntarily authorized by the employee for themselves
Legally authorized payments include things like meals, housing, transportation, debts owed to the employer, child support and alimony. Voluntarily authorized deductions can be things like charitable contributions or insurance and can be made even if the employee’s pay falls below minimum wage after deduction.
Employers cannot deduct items that could be considered to be of benefit or convenience to the employer. They also cannot deny or adjust compensation retroactively as punishment for poor performance.
Can I insist on a paper pay stub?
If you are located in a ‘Printed / Access’ state and are not able to print your electronic statement, then yes – you should be able to request this.
My employer refuses to give pay stubs – what can I do?
If an employer refuses to give an employee a pay stub, then the employee may be able to sue in a court of law to obtain the requested records.
“While FLSA does not require the pay stub statement, most states require that the information be available to the employee, but not necessarily as a paper paystub,” Attorney Eric D. Anderson of Eric D. Anderson Law, Ltd.
What information is included on a pay stub?
A pay stub typically includes:
- Employee information – name, social security number, address
- Dates for the pay period
- Employee’s pay rate
- Gross earnings before deductions
- Taxes withheld, e.g. federal income tax
- Employee contributions, e.g. pensions contributions
- Deductions, e.g. for insurance
- Net pay (the total amount an employee takes home after taxes, contributions and deductions are removed)
To find out more, read our guide to understanding your pay stub.