Are you wondering what counts as a pay stub? If yes, you should click here to learn about all the information included in your pay stub.
Pay stubs hold all kinds of useful information, including your gross pay and liability for federal and state taxes.
However, not everyone is well informed as to what exactly a pay stub is, or what has to go into one. The minimum requirements vary from state to state, so it is difficult to give a broadly accurate description of what counts as a pay stub across the country.
Despite this, we’ve given it our best shot. Read below to learn more about pay stubs and what they can tell you.
No Requirement States
The first category of state when it comes to pay stub rules is the no requirement state.
As the name suggests, these states have no requirements when it comes to the contents of pay stubs. Whether an employer furnishes employees with a pay stub at all is entirely up to them.
The following are some examples of no requirement states:
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Louisiana
Access States
In these states, a pay statement detailing wage information must be given to employees.
The statement must include data such as the amount paid, the hours worked, and the amount that has been earned in the year to date.
However, there is no requirement that employees be furnished with this information on paper. As long as employees can access the relevant data through some electronic means, this is sufficient to discharge the employer’s obligations.
This is the most popular approach to pay stub rules among the states. Some examples of states that have adopted access rules are:
- New York
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Nevada
Print States
The rules here are similar to those in access states. However, they are a little more stringent.
Print states require that employees receive a physical pay stub. However, companies can elect to go digital as long as employees have some reasonable means of printing electronic stubs.
Some states that have these rules include:
- Colorado
- California
- Massachusetts
If you reside in one of these states, it might be a good idea to invest in a check stub maker.
Opt-In or Opt-Out?
In opt-out states, employers must provide a physical copy of digital pay records to any employee who requests one.
In opt-in states, companies must seek the consent of their employees before going paperless.
What Needs to Be on My Pay Stub?
While requirements vary, some details will be found on almost all pay stubs. These include:
- Gross wages (the amount of money you have before any deductions)
- Federal taxes
- State taxes
- Voluntary deductions
- Net pay (the amount remaining after all deductions)
What Counts As a Pay Stub in Your State?
As you can see, pay stub requirements vary widely. What counts as a pay stub in one state may not cut it in another.
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