When You Get Paid: Demand a Pay Stub, Check the Deductions
by: Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Demand a Pay Stub and Check the Deductions
Every time you get paid, you should receive a wage stub that explains how your employer calculated your wages, including:
* how much you picked (pounds, buckets, etc.)
* how many hours you worked
* the rate of pay per hour or per unit picked
* the name and address of your employer
The wage stub must also explain the reason and amount of every deduction made from your total pay. The deductions below are required by law:
* Workers Compensation -- 1.8 cents per hour.
* Federal and State income taxes -- depends on the amount of dependents you put on your form W-4. (Read ADid You File a Tax Return for 2001?" for more information about this).
* Social Security and Medicare -- a total of 7.65% of your total wages.
The money deducted for income taxes and Social Security must be sent to the IRS and the Social Security Administration. Your employer may not keep that money.
Other deductions
You need to give your permission in writing for all deductions other than those mentioned above. Your employer can make other deductions only if the deduction is for your benefit. For example, in most cases s/he cannot deduct money to pay for repairing or replacing broken equipment or to make other types of repairs. Most deductions are illegal if they bring your pay below the minimum wage.
You should save any pay stubs you receive. They may be helpful later for many reasons, including matters with taxes, immigration, Social Security and in case you were not paid the right amount.
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