Pay stub anatomy, in 12 chapters.
Every line on a US pay stub, walked through in plain English. Free. Email it to yourself, print it, share it with a coworker who is staring at a stub and asking what FICA means.
What is in the guide
- 01The header
Employer name, your name, pay period dates, pay date, and check number. What each one tells you.
- 02Gross pay vs taxable wages
Why the federal taxable amount is smaller than gross. Where the difference goes.
- 03Federal income tax
How IRS Pub 15-T tables convert your W-4 entries into a per-paycheck withholding.
- 04FICA: Social Security
6.2% up to the annual wage base. What happens when you cross the cap mid-year.
- 05FICA: Medicare
1.45% on every dollar. The 0.9% Additional Medicare surcharge on wages above $200k YTD.
- 06State income tax
Flat, progressive, or none. How to read your state's line and verify it.
- 07Local taxes
When your city, county, or school district levies its own income tax. Common in OH, PA, NY, MD, IN.
- 08SDI, PFL, and worker contributions
CA SDI, NY PFL, NJ FLI, RI TDI, WA Cares Fund, MA PFML. Where they appear and what they fund.
- 09Pre-tax deductions
401(k), HSA, FSA, health/dental/vision premiums, transit. What each one reduces and what it does not.
- 10Post-tax deductions
Roth 401(k), garnishments, after-tax disability, after-tax life. Why these come out of net.
- 11Year-to-date totals
How to reconcile YTD against current period. What looks wrong if YTD does not add up.
- 12Taking a question to payroll
A 10-question pack you can email to your payroll team that does not accuse anyone of anything.
Want it deeper?
The free guide covers the anatomy. The $29 Premium Pay Stub Report covers your specific pay stub. Upload one and get a 12-page personalized PDF: line-by-line review, comparison to standard rates, and a payroll question pack.
PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, accounting, employment, benefits, or payroll advice. PayslipIQ is not a CPA firm, law firm, financial advisor, payroll provider, or tax authority. Always verify your paycheck, deductions, withholdings, and tax position with your employer's payroll department, a qualified CPA, the IRS, your state tax authority, or another appropriately qualified professional. Calculations are estimates; your actual paycheck may differ based on factors specific to your employer, location, benefits elections, and personal tax situation.