How To Read A Paystub

Most people glance at their take-home pay and ignore the rest, but the rest is where errors hide and where your money actually goes. This guide breaks down every section of a paystub, from gross pay and net pay to federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and pre-tax deductions like health insurance and 401k contributions. It also explains what determines your personal tax rate. Bonus: A fully worked real-world example with actual numbers makes everything very clear