Free Paystub Generator

Free Paystub Generator: Create Professional Pay Stubs in Minutes

Creating accurate paystubs takes time. Small business owners, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals need professional pay stubs fast. Manual calculations waste hours and lead to errors. Whether you need proof of income for loans or employee pay stub documentation, this free paystub generator eliminates the hassle.

This online paystub generator helps small business owners and freelancers create accurate pay stubs in minutes. Learn how this user-friendly paystub maker works and what makes the best pay stub generator for your needs.

How to use this paystub generator?

Follow these simple steps with our check stub maker.

Step 1: Enter company information

Add your company name, company address, and EIN. Upload your company logo for professional pay stubs. This company information appears at the top of every paycheck stub.

Step 2: Add employee information

Input the employee name, employee address, and social security number (last 4 digits only). Include the employee ID and filing status for accurate tax calculations. This paystub maker saves employee information for future use.

Step 3: Select pay period and pay date

Choose the specific pay period start and end dates. Select your pay date when the employee receives their earnings. Pick weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly pay periods. Our paystub generator handles any pay period automatically.

Step 4: Enter employee's earnings

Add gross pay including regular wages, overtime, bonuses, or commission. The online paystub generator calculates the total amount from hourly or salary rates. Include year-to-date (YTD) earnings if creating mid-year pay stubs.

Step 5: Calculate tax deductions

Our free paystub generator handles FICA taxes automatically. Input federal income tax, state taxes, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). Add pre-tax deductions for accurate tax calculations. The paystub maker shows all tax deductions clearly.

Step 6: Review net pay

Check that gross pay minus deductions equals net pay. Review year-to-date totals for accuracy. This pay stub online tool highlights any calculation errors before you generate.

Step 7: Generate and download

Click "Create Paystub" to generate your professional pay stub. Download as PDF for electronic pay stubs or print for paper payroll records. Save for tax filing and record keeping. Works on desktop and Android devices.

What are the details needed to create a paystub?

Every paystub needs specific information. Professional pay stubs include these essential elements for proof of income and tax returns.

Company Information and Logo

Your pay stub must show the employer's legal company name and full address. Include your EIN for IRS compliance. Add your company logo to create professional pay stubs that build trust. Small business owners should use their registered business name exactly as it appears on tax documents.

Complete Employee Information

Display the employee name and current employee address. Include their social security number (show last four digits only for security) and employee ID. Freelancers and self-employed individuals creating their own pay stub should use their legal name. This employee information proves who earned the wages for proof of income purposes.

Pay Period and Pay Date Details

Show the exact pay period this paycheck stub covers. Include the specific pay period start and end dates. Display the actual pay date when payment occurs via direct deposit or check. Accurate pay period information helps with tax filing and proves regular income.

Gross Pay and Employee's Earnings

List gross pay before any deductions. Break down the employee's earnings including regular wages, overtime, bonuses, and commissions. Show hourly rates or salary amounts clearly. Include year-to-date gross pay totals. Small business owners and independent contractors should document all income sources on their pay stub template.

Tax Deductions and Withholdings

Detail all tax deductions from gross pay. List federal income tax, state taxes, local taxes, Social Security, and Medicare separately. FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare combined) must show accurate tax calculations. Include pre-tax deductions for benefits. Show current and YTD tax deductions for easy tax returns preparation.

Net Pay Calculation

Display net pay (the total amount after deductions). This earnings statement shows what employees actually receive through direct deposit or check. Include current period and year-to-date net pay. Accurate pay stubs always show gross pay minus deductions equaling net pay exactly.

Additional Payroll Information

Some pay stubs include vacation hours, sick time, or employer contributions. Add direct deposit details if applicable. Electronic pay stubs might show multiple bank accounts. This pay slip information helps with complete record keeping and payroll software integration.

How to create an accurate paystub

Creating accurate pay stubs prevents IRS problems and ensures valid proof of income. Small business owners and self-employed individuals must avoid manual calculations errors.

• Use exact gross pay amounts. Pull employee's earnings directly from timesheets or contracts. Never round wages for independent contractors or freelancers. Our free paystub generator maintains precision automatically.
• Calculate Social Security and Medicare correctly. Social Security takes 6.2% of gross pay up to the wage base. Medicare takes 1.45% with no limit. FICA combines both for 7.65% total. State taxes vary by location. This paystub maker handles these tax calculations instantly.
• Match pay period dates exactly. Each specific pay period must align with your schedule. Pay date should reflect when employees receive net pay via direct deposit. Year-to-date totals must include all previous pay periods. Mistakes here invalidate proof of income documents.
• Include all employee information accurately. Verify employee name spelling and current employee address. Confirm social security number digits. Check employee ID matches payroll records. Small errors on paycheck stub documents cause problems with tax filing.
• Double-check federal income tax withholding. Use current IRS tables for accurate tax calculations. State taxes depend on location and exemptions. Our online paystub generator updates tax rates automatically, eliminating the hassle of manual calculations.
• Maintain consistent formatting. Professional pay stubs use uniform layouts. Include your company logo on every pay stub online. Electronic pay stubs should match printed versions. The best pay stub generator ensures consistency across all paystubs.

Tips to spot fake pay stubs

Fake pay stub detection protects landlords and lenders. Here's how to identify fraudulent proof of income documents from legitimate pay stubs.

• Verify the math on every paystub. Calculate if gross pay minus tax deductions equals net pay. Check year-to-date totals increase correctly across multiple pay periods. Fake pay stub documents often have calculation errors. Real paystub generators never make math mistakes.
• Confirm company information exists. Google the company name and address. Verify the EIN with the IRS. Call to confirm employee name and dates. Fraudulent check stub maker tools use fake company information. Legitimate small business paystubs have verifiable details.
• Check formatting consistency. Professional pay stubs from payroll software maintain perfect alignment. Look for consistent fonts and spacing. Fake paystub maker sites produce irregular formatting. Real electronic pay stubs or pay slip documents look professional.
• Review tax deductions carefully. Federal income tax should match IRS tables. Social Security must be 6.2% of gross pay. Medicare should be 1.45%. State taxes vary but follow set rates. Fake pay stub creators use random tax calculations.
• Request multiple consecutive paystubs. Ask for several pay periods showing year-to-date progression. YTD totals must add up correctly across all pay stubs. Fraudulent paystub now documents rarely maintain accurate running totals. Legitimate payroll records show consistent employee information.

Frequently asked questions

What is a paystub?

A paystub (also called pay stub, paycheck stub, pay slip, or earnings statement) documents employee's earnings for a specific pay period. It shows gross pay, tax deductions, and net pay with complete employee information. Paystubs provide proof of income for loans, apartments, and credit cards. Electronic pay stubs work the same as paper versions. Small business owners and self-employed individuals use paystubs for tax returns and record keeping.

Is it legal to create my own pay stub?

Yes, creating your own pay stub is legal when documenting real income. Small business owners generate employee pay stubs using a paystub generator or pay stub template. Self-employed individuals and independent contractors can create paystubs for proof of income. Freelancers make their own pay stub for tax filing purposes. But creating fake pay stub documents with false information is fraud. Only use a paystub maker for actual earnings.

What's the difference between a paystub and a W-2?

A paystub documents one pay period showing current and year-to-date totals. Employees receive paystubs with each paycheck via direct deposit or check. Pay stubs help track employee's earnings throughout the year. W-2s summarize the entire year for tax returns. The IRS requires W-2s annually while paystubs come every pay date. Use paystubs to verify W-2 accuracy during tax filing season.

Do I need to provide paystubs to employees?

Many states require employee pay stub delivery by law. Even without requirements, providing pay stubs helps employees understand gross pay, tax deductions, and net pay. Electronic pay stubs through payroll software save paper and hassle. Employees need accurate pay stubs for proof of income, loans, and apartments. Check state laws for specific pay slip requirements. Some states mandate paper paystubs while others allow digital delivery.

Can I use generated paystubs for loan applications?

Lenders accept paystubs as standard proof of income documentation. Your paystub must show accurate employee information, gross pay, and net pay. Self-employed individuals and freelancers use generated pay stubs since they don't receive traditional paychecks from employers. Include bank statements showing direct deposit matching net pay amounts. Never create fake pay stub documents - that's fraud punishable by the IRS.

What are pay stubs useful for?

Paystubs serve as proof of income for apartment rentals, mortgages, and credit cards. Employees track gross pay, tax deductions, and year-to-date earnings. Small business owners use pay stubs for payroll records and tax returns. Independent contractors need paystubs for tax filing quarterly. Self-employed individuals document income with pay stubs. Accurate pay stubs help with budgeting by showing exact net pay after deductions.

Can paystubs be used as proof of income?

Yes, paystubs are primary proof of income documents. Landlords require recent pay stubs showing employee name, gross pay, and net pay. Banks accept consecutive paystubs for loans and credit cards. Government agencies verify income using pay stub information including year-to-date totals. Courts use paystubs for support calculations. Most organizations want 2-3 recent paystubs showing consistent pay periods.

What is an employee pay stub?

An employee pay stub is the detailed earnings statement attached to paychecks. It shows employee information, gross pay for the specific pay period, all tax deductions, and net pay. Modern employee pay stubs come as electronic pay stubs through payroll software or direct deposit systems. Employees keep pay stubs for tax filing and proof of income. Employers maintain payroll records including all employee pay stub copies.

Can self-employed people create paystubs?

Self-employed individuals absolutely should create paystubs using a paystub generator. Freelancers and independent contractors need proof of income documentation. Generate paystubs based on actual business income and accurate tax calculations. Include estimated federal income tax, state taxes, and self-employment tax (covering Social Security and Medicare). Banks accept self-employed pay stubs with supporting documents. Regular paystub creation helps track year-to-date earnings for tax returns.

How can I automate paystub generation for multiple employees?

Ready to streamline your paystub process? Get started with Coefficient to automate your payroll workflows and integrate with your existing systems. Our platform connects directly to your accounting software, making it easy to generate accurate paystubs for your entire team in minutes.