Software engineer pay stub
Tech pay stubs often include large bonus or RSU events. RSUs vest as supplemental wages and can spike federal withholding.
Common deductions
- 401(k)
- Roth 401(k)
- HSA
- Health, dental, vision
- ESPP
- RSU vesting tax withholding
Pay quirks
- RSU vesting events show as supplemental wages
- Sign-on bonus (with clawback)
- Annual bonus at supplemental rate
- Stock buy at discount via ESPP
Questions worth asking payroll
- Did my RSU vesting use the correct fair market value?
- Was supplemental withholding 22% (or 37% over $1M)?
- Did ESPP discount post as imputed income?
Official sources
- IRS Publication 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide — IRS · 2025 · last verified 2025-04-01
- U.S. DOL — Overtime Pay (FLSA) — DOL · last verified 2025-04-01
- U.S. DOL — Fact Sheet #17A: Exemption for Executive, Administrative, Professional employees — DOL · last verified 2025-04-01
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