Estimate your paycheck.

It can be shocking to receive your first paycheck with the taxes and deductions taken out. Later, you will be more accustomed to seeing the regular amount of your paycheck. If your employer directly deposits your paycheck into your checking account, you might need to request to see copies of your paystubs or set up an online account with your company’s payroll company to view deductions.

Here are some of the sections you should see in your check or earnings statement:

• Your personal information, including your filing status, exemptions and allowances
• The pay period
• Your company information
• Earnings for the pay period, including gross pay and taxable income
• Paid time off for this pay period and the year
• Deductions, including federal and state taxes, contributions to Social Security and Medicare, and other contributions for health care, retirement plans or other benefits
• Garnishments of your wages
• Net pay (take-home earnings minus deductions)
• Remaining balances of sick, personal days or vacation benefits

Your check also will show your current withholding allowances. Review your paycheck on a regular basis to ensure all balances and personal information are correct. Also check your pay whenever:

1. You start a new job.
2. Your pay increases or decreases.
3. Benefits change.
4. You make a change to your W-4.
5. You leave your job and receive your final pay.

If anything appears incorrect, work with your supervisor or human resources department to correct errors immediately. Tour a sample paycheck Links to an external site. to see how deductions might be listed.

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