Identify the employer name, employee name, and pay period dates
Locate the pay date and the check number or direct deposit reference
Review the earnings section
Confirm pay type (hourly, salary, commission, bonus)
Check regular pay, overtime, and any other earnings lines
Verify total gross pay (before deductions)
Review the hours worked section (if shown)
Check regular hours, overtime hours, and any other hour categories
Confirm the pay rate(s) used for each hours category (if listed)
Review the deductions section
Federal income tax withheld
State income tax withheld
Local income tax withheld (if applicable)
Social Security (FICA) withheld
Medicare (FICA) withheld
Pre-tax deductions (e.g., health insurance, retirement plan, HSA/FSA)
Post-tax deductions (e.g., union dues, garnishments, other benefits after-tax)
Review any employer-paid items (if listed)
Health insurance or retirement contributions made by the employer (not deducted from your pay)
Review the net pay section
Confirm total deductions and net pay (take-home pay)
Check year-to-date (YTD) totals
YTD gross earnings
YTD federal/state/local tax withheld
YTD Social Security and Medicare
YTD pre-tax and post-tax deductions (if shown)
Review supplemental or special earnings (if shown)
Bonuses, commissions, allowances, reimbursements, or retro pay
Review adjustments and year-to-date true-ups (if shown)
Corrections to prior pay periods
Tax adjustments or benefit changes
Verify deductions from non-payroll items (if shown)
Wage garnishments and court-ordered deductions
Confirm the pay stub totals reconcile
Gross pay minus total deductions equals net pay
Keep an eye out for common flags
Unexpected deduction amounts
Missing hours or earnings categories
Net pay not matching expected take-home amount
If you have questions, note the specific line items and amounts
Use the pay period dates and YTD figures when asking payroll