What should (and shouldn’t) go on a pay stub?

Pay stubs may not seem urgent, but leaving out key details or formatting them poorly can cause real problems. From employee complaints to compliance issues, a messy stub can create more trouble than you bargained for.

Clear, complete pay stubs help build trust, reduce questions, and keep your payroll process running smoothly. This article breaks down exactly what you need to include and what to avoid. 

What must be on a pay stub? 

Federal law doesn’t mandate pay stubs, but most states do, and their rules vary. Wherever your business operates, there are some core elements that should always be present: 

• Employee details such as full name and either an employee ID or a masked Social Security number 
• Employer information including your company name and address 
• Pay period coverage showing the start and end dates, along with the pay date 
• Earnings information including gross pay, hours worked, pay type (hourly, salary, bonus), and overtime if applicable 
• Deductions for taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other withholdings, clearly labeled and itemized 
• Net pay, or take-home amount after deductions 

If you deliver pay stubs electronically, make sure your system is secure and that employees have consented to digital delivery. These documents contain sensitive data and need to be protected. 

Making Pay Stubs More Useful 

Meeting legal requirements is one thing. Making stubs helpful for your team is another. When employees can clearly understand their pay, everyone wins. 

Start by breaking out overtime on a separate line. Label things like holiday pay, shift differentials, and bonuses clearly. Consider adding employer-paid contributions to benefits right alongside employee contributions. 

Include PTO details so employees can see what they have earned, used, and have left. Year-to-date totals for earnings and deductions make budgeting and tax prep easier. Even small notes, like reminders about benefits enrollment, can make a difference. 

These additions save your employees from having to ask questions and save you from having to answer them. 

What to Watch Out For 

Some pay stub issues can turn into major problems if you don’t catch them early: 

• Negative PTO balances may reflect errors or inconsistent policy enforcement 
• Inaccurate or frozen leave data can lead to confusion and eroded trust 
• Unexplained deductions almost always cause concern 
• Pay rate changes with no explanation create anxiety and prompt complaints 
• Overtime errors can lead to legal consequences 
• Vague deductions frustrate employees and invite suspicion 

Keep an eye out for these warning signs and correct them quickly. The longer they linger, the bigger the impact. 

Keeping Pay Stubs Accurate 

A strong payroll system starts with consistency. Use software that keeps up with changing laws and business needs. Assign someone to monitor payroll compliance and schedule regular audits to catch problems early. 

Make sure your payroll staff understands not just how to run the system, but why each detail matters. Encourage employees to review their stubs and speak up if something looks off. 

PTO tracking should be timely and clear, whether on paper or on a dashboard. Choose a method that keeps everyone informed and aligned. 

The Bottom Line 

A clear, well-structured pay stub builds trust and helps prevent problems. It shows your employees that you value transparency and that you take payroll seriously. 
Get the right systems in place. Pay attention to the details. Your team will thank you, and your future self will too.