Reading a Paycheck

A paycheck will usually have:

  • Your name: So you know it’s for you.

  • Pay period: The dates for which you’re being paid (like from June 1 to June 15).

  • Gross pay: The total money you earned.

  • Deductions: A list of what’s taken out and why.

  • Net pay: The amount you actually get to take home.

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Why It Matters

Understanding your paycheck helps you know: How much money you really have to spend, what you’re paying for with your deductions and how much you’re contributing to taxes and savings. So, a paycheck is like a summary of how much money you earned and what was taken out before you get to spend your hard-earned cash!