Resources & Help Center
Guides, tax-form explainers, and answers to help you create accurate, professional pay stubs in minutes.
How It Works
Enter Company Information
Provide your business name, address, and EIN. This appears at the top of every pay stub.
Add Employee Details
Fill in the employee's name, address, SSN (last 4 digits), and filing status.
Set Pay Period & Salary
Choose the pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly) and enter the gross pay amount.
Review Deductions & Taxes
Federal and state taxes are calculated automatically. Add any additional deductions like health insurance or 401(k).
Preview & Download
Review the finished pay stub, make any edits, then download your professional PDF.
Explore Resources by Topic
Pay Stub Basics
Understand what a pay stub is and how to read every line.
What is a pay stub?
Gross pay vs. net pay
Year-to-date (YTD) explained
Pay periods & frequency
Reading an earnings statement
Taxes & Withholding
Federal and state taxes that affect take-home pay.
Form W-4 & withholding
Federal & state income tax
FICA: Social Security & Medicare
FUTA & SUTA explained
States with no income tax
Deductions & Benefits
Pre-tax and post-tax amounts that come out of a paycheck.
Pre-tax vs. post-tax deductions
401(k) plans & employer matching
HSA & FSA contributions
Health insurance premiums
Wage garnishments
Contractors & Freelancers
Self-employment, 1099 income, and proof of earnings.
1099 vs. W-2 income
Self-employment tax
Pay stubs as proof of income
Creating contractor pay stubs
Quarterly estimated taxes
Common Tax Forms Explained
W-2
Wage & Tax Statement
The annual summary of an employee's wages and the taxes withheld during the year.
W-4
Employee's Withholding Certificate
Tells the employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck.
1099-NEC
Nonemployee Compensation
Reports payments of $600 or more made to independent contractors during the year.
Form 941
Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return
Used by employers to report income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes each quarter.
Pay Stub Guides for All 50 States
State-specific tax rules and a generator tailored to where you work.
Tips for Accurate Pay Stubs
Double-check the pay period start and end dates before generating.
Use the address book to save frequently used employer and employee info.
Select the correct filing status — it directly affects tax withholdings.
Review the YTD totals to ensure they match your payroll records.
Download and keep a copy of every stub for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do I need to create a pay stub?
You'll need the employer's business name and address, the employee's name and address, gross pay amount, pay period dates, and filing status. Tax calculations are handled automatically.
How are federal and state taxes calculated?
OakPaystubs uses the latest IRS and state tax tables to compute withholdings based on the employee's filing status, allowances, and gross pay.
What's the difference between a W-2 employee and a 1099 contractor?
W-2 employees have income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld by their employer. 1099 independent contractors receive gross pay and are responsible for their own self-employment taxes. OakPaystubs can generate pay stubs for both.
Can I create pay stubs for multiple employees?
Yes. You can save employer and employee information in your address book and quickly generate stubs for different team members.
What pay frequencies are supported?
Weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly. Year-to-date totals adjust automatically based on the frequency you choose.
Can I use a pay stub as proof of income?
Yes. Pay stubs are widely accepted as proof of income when renting an apartment, applying for a loan, or verifying employment.
What does FICA mean on a pay stub?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds Social Security and Medicare, and totals 7.65% of wages for the employee's share (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare).
Can I edit a pay stub after creating it?
You can make unlimited revisions before purchasing. Once downloaded, you can create a new stub with updated information at any time.
Is my information secure?
All data is transmitted over HTTPS and we do not store sensitive information like full SSNs. Your privacy is our priority.
Common Pay Stub Terms
Gross Pay
Total earnings before any deductions or taxes.Net Pay
Take-home pay after all deductions and taxes.YTD (Year-to-Date)
Cumulative totals from January 1 to the current pay period.Filing Status
IRS category (Single, Married, etc.) that determines tax brackets.Pre-tax Deductions
Amounts subtracted before taxes, like 401(k) or HSA contributions.FICA
Federal Insurance Contributions Act — Social Security and Medicare taxes.Withholding
Income tax an employer holds back from wages and remits to the IRS.Overtime
Hours worked beyond 40 per week, typically paid at 1.5× the regular rate.Pay Period
The recurring length of time wages are calculated for, e.g. bi-weekly.Ready to create your pay stub?
Enter your details, let us handle the tax math, and download a professional PDF in minutes.
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