What Is the Pay Stubs Definition?
In life, we go through milestones that help better our future. For example, there comes a day when you buy a car, move out into your own apartment, and perhaps even purchase your own house!
But these things don’t just come easily. Usually, you need to prove that you’re trustworthy before you can achieve these milestones.
One type of proof is your credit scores. Another is through your pay stubs.
If you’re wondering about the pay stubs definition, then keep reading. We’ll show you what a pay stub is, how you can get one (even if you’re an independent contractor), and more!
Pay Stubs Definition
So what is a pay stub? It’s a piece of paper from your employer that’s a record of how much you worked, how much you’re paid, and what tax deductions you’ve gotten.
On a pay stub (or pay slip), you’ll find:
- Company name
- Company address
- Your bank name
- Your details
- Gross wages
- Withholdings
- Deductions
- Net pay
You’re probably curious about what most of these mean. Find out more below.
Gross Wages
This is how much you earn per period. This number is before other things, like deductions and withholding (more on these later).
Withholdings
Withholdings are amounts of money taken out of your paycheck. They can be for federal income tax, state income tax, and Social Security.
Deductions
Deductions are further amounts of money taken out of your paycheck, in addition to withholdings. these can include health and life insurance.
Net Pay
After all’s said and done, you’ll probably want to know what you’re really taking home. Your net pay is the true amount you’re banking, after all deductions and withholdings are accounted for.
How to Get a Pay Stub
It’s very easy to get a pay stub. Every pay period, your employer should provide you with one. If they aren’t currently, then definitely ask them to start doing so.
How to Get a Pay Stub for Freelancers
Did you know that around 30% of America’s workforce is self-employed? This means that a good proportion of workers don’t receive a traditional pay stub.
If you’re one of these people, then you might be wondering: how do I provide a pay stub then? Thankfully, this doesn’t mean you’re out of luck!
What you can do is sort your bank accounts and invoices. Then, you can use a pay stub generator, where you can input all this information. In the end, the site will generate a “fake” pay stub, which you can submit as proof of income, along with other documents.
Use Your Pay Stubs to Better Your Future
Now that you know the pay stubs definition, you’ve probably realized the power these slips of paper hold. They can make all the difference between getting a loan or a lease for an apartment, so make sure you keep these in safe places!
If you found this article on pay stubs helpful, then make sure you check out the rest of our blog for more!
