Itemized Pay Stubs

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California requires that every employee receive a complete, written wage statement each payday. These pay stubs aren’t just a courtesy—they’re a compliance requirement.

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Under Labor Code §226, each wage statement must clearly include:

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• Pay period dates (start and end)

• Total hours worked (for non-exempt employees)

• All hourly rates and the number of hours worked at each rate

• Gross wages earned before deductions

• All deductions (taxes, benefits, garnishments, etc.)

• Net wages earned (the take-home pay)

• Employee’s name and either the last four digits of their Social Security number or an employee ID number

• Employer’s legal name and address

• Applicable piece-rate information (if paid by piece rate, must show rate and units earned)

 

Why this matters:

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• Employees have a right to understand how their pay was calculated.

• Employers who fail to provide accurate pay stubs can face penalties of $50–$100 per employee, per pay period, plus potential lawsuits.

• Having compliant wage statements reduces disputes, supports accurate record keeping, and protects against costly claims.

 

At Sprout & Vine, we build these requirements into your payroll system so every pay stub is compliant by default—giving you peace of mind and your employees clarity.