THE DETAILS BEHIND THE DOCUMENT

Know the details
behind payday.

A practical guide to the sections you’ll see on an earnings statement. Find the names, dates, and figures that bring your payroll record together.

7 sections, clearly explained Read at your own pace
THE PAY STUB, AT A GLANCE
Sample Regular earnings statement showing employer and employee details, pay dates, earnings, deductions, and totals.
Names & datesEarnings & deductionsPay totals
Original Regular template · Sample details for illustration
Gross earningsBefore deductions DeductionsThe amounts taken out Net payWhat remains for the period
A CLOSER LOOK

Every section.
A clearer understanding.

Follow the document from the details at the top to the totals at the bottom.

SECTION 01

Employer and employee details

These identify the business and the person associated with the payroll record. Check the spelling, address, and employee number. Only enter the last four digits where the tool asks for an SSN identifier.

LOOK FORCompany & employeeNames & identifiers
SECTION 02

Pay date and pay period

The pay date is when the payment is made. The pay period identifies the dates the earnings cover. They can be different, so compare both with your records.

LOOK FORPayment datePeriod start & end
SECTION 03

Gross earnings

Gross earnings are the pay before deductions. Depending on the payroll record, this can include regular wages and additional earnings. Match hours, rates, and other entries to the records for that period.

LOOK FORHours & ratesAdditional earnings
SECTION 04

Deductions

Deductions reduce gross pay. The exact items and amounts depend on the payroll arrangement and the employee’s circumstances. Review the figures from your records rather than assuming a generated estimate is your final payroll amount.

LOOK FORItemized amountsPayroll records
SECTION 05

Net pay

Net pay is the amount remaining after the deductions shown for the pay period. Make sure the earnings, deductions, and resulting total agree with the underlying payroll records.

LOOK FOREarnings less deductionsPeriod total
SECTION 06

Year-to-date totals

Year-to-date figures accumulate amounts within the relevant year. Enter the appropriate prior totals when needed; one pay period alone may not describe the year so far.

LOOK FORPrior totalsCurrent year
SECTION 07

Review before you download

Check the document line by line. This service creates a document from your inputs. It does not independently confirm employment, file payroll taxes, or guarantee that another organization will accept the document.

LOOK FORNames & datesAmounts & format
FROM UNDERSTANDING TO YOUR NEXT STEP

Bring the details
together.

Choose your format, enter your payroll information, and check the preview before checkout.