Payslip

A document provided to employees showing earnings, deductions, and net pay for a pay period.

General

Payslips, also called pay stubs or wage statements, detail what employees earned and what was deducted during a pay period. They provide transparency about compensation and help employees verify they are paid correctly. Many jurisdictions require employers to provide payslips.

Standard Contents

Payslips typically show gross earnings (regular, overtime, bonuses), tax withholdings, social security deductions, benefit deductions, other deductions, net pay amount, and year-to-date totals. Required contents vary by jurisdiction but generally must show how net pay was calculated.

Legal Requirements

Many countries and states require written pay statements each pay period. Requirements specify what information must be included and in what format. Some allow electronic delivery while others require paper. Non-compliance can result in penalties.

Electronic Delivery

Most organizations now provide electronic payslips through employee self-service portals or email. This reduces costs and is more convenient for employees. Where permitted, electronic delivery typically requires employee consent and continued paper option availability.

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