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Most people glance at the "Net Pay" number on their pay stub and move on. But understanding every line on your pay stub can help you catch errors, plan your taxes, and make better financial decisions. Here's what every section means.
A pay stub (also called a paycheck stub, payslip, or earnings statement) is a document that shows the breakdown of your earnings and deductions for a specific pay period. It accompanies your paycheck or direct deposit and serves as a record of how your gross pay became your take-home pay.
Your total earnings before any deductions. For salaried employees, this is your annual salary divided by the number of pay periods per year. For hourly workers, it's your hourly rate multiplied by hours worked. Gross pay is the starting point for all tax calculations.
The amount withheld for US federal income tax, based on your filing status (single, married, head of household) and the 2026 IRS tax brackets (10%–37%). This is calculated on your taxable income, which is your gross pay minus pre-tax deductions.
A flat 6.2% of your gross wages, up to the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500. Once your year-to-date earnings exceed $184,500, Social Security withholding stops for the rest of the year.
A flat 1.45% of all gross wages with no upper limit. High earners (over $200,000 for single filers) pay an additional 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax, which is also reflected here.
Withheld based on your work state's tax rate. Nine states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Other states range from 2.5% (Arizona) to 13.3% (California top rate).
Deductions taken before taxes are calculated. These reduce your taxable income, meaning you pay less federal and state tax. Common pre-tax deductions include: health insurance premiums, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) contributions, HSA contributions, and FSA contributions.
Your take-home pay — what actually lands in your bank account. Calculated as: Gross Pay − All Taxes − All Deductions = Net Pay. This is the number most people focus on, but understanding the deductions above helps you verify it's correct.
Running totals of your gross pay, taxes, and deductions from January 1st through the current pay period. YTD figures are essential for verifying your W-2 at tax time and tracking your progress toward tax deductions and contribution limits.
If you spot an error, contact your HR or payroll department promptly. Payroll errors are more common than people think and are usually corrected in the next pay period.
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Need a pay stub for record-keeping? Our free generator calculates all the above automatically using 2026 IRS tax tables and your state's rates.
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