Common pay stub mistakes

15 things on a US pay stub that are commonly wrong — and the question to ask payroll for each.

• Hours short
  Compare to your time-clock or timesheet.
• Wrong pay rate
  Compare to your offer letter or last raise notice.
• Missing overtime
  Confirm hours and your exempt/non-exempt status.
• Overtime regular rate
  Should usually include nondiscretionary bonuses and shift differentials.
• Wrong state withholding
  Confirm work state and resident state on file.
• Wrong local tax
  Common in OH, PA, NY, MI, KY, MO when work or home location changes.
• FICA off
  SS = 6.2% (up to wage base). Medicare = 1.45% of all wages.
• 401(k) percent wrong
  Compare to your election in your benefits portal.
• Health premium change unannounced
  Mid-year benefit changes should be communicated.
• Garnishment you do not recognize
  Ask for the order or paperwork.
• Bonus aggregated when expected flat
  Method choice belongs to the employer but should be consistent.
• Tip credit applied incorrectly
  Federal tip credit is up to $5.12/hr — many states ban it.
• Mileage reimbursement taxed
  Reimbursement at the IRS rate is generally non-taxable.
• Per diem taxed
  Accountable plan per diem is non-taxable.
• Imputed income missing or wrong
  Group term life over $50,000 should appear as imputed.