Free Pay Stub Generator 2026
Create a professional, printable pay stub in seconds. Auto-calculates federal tax, FICA, and all 50 state taxes. No signup, no watermark, completely free.
Pre-tax deductions reduce taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated.
| Earnings | Rate | Hours | Current | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $0.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Deductions | Current | YTD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Deductions | $0.00 | $0.00 | ||
Free Pay Stub Generator — No Watermark, No Signup
A pay stub (also called a paycheck stub, pay slip, or earnings statement) is a document that accompanies a paycheck showing how an employee's gross pay was calculated and what deductions were taken. This free generator creates professional pay stubs instantly using 2026 IRS withholding tables — no account, no watermark, no fee.
What a Pay Stub Shows
Every pay stub contains the same core sections:
- Gross Pay — total earnings before any deductions (hours × rate for hourly; salary ÷ pay periods for salaried)
- Federal Income Tax — withheld per IRS Publication 15-T tables based on filing status and W-4 elections
- State Income Tax — withheld per your state's current withholding tables (0% in 9 no-income-tax states)
- Social Security (FICA) — 6.2% on wages up to the $176,100 annual wage base (2026)
- Medicare (FICA) — 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000
- Pre-tax deductions — 401(k), health insurance, HSA, FSA (reduce taxable income)
- Net Pay — gross pay minus all taxes and deductions; what actually hits the bank account
- YTD Totals — year-to-date cumulative amounts for each line item
- Payroll Taxes Guide
- Overtime Rules
- Tax Withholding Guide
Who Needs a Pay Stub Generator?
- Self-employed workers and freelancers who need to show proof of income for a rental application, mortgage, or loan
- Small business owners who pay employees or contractors and need a record of each payment
- Employees who receive cash or direct deposits without formal pay documentation
- HR departments that need sample pay stubs for training or template purposes
Are Employers Required to Provide Pay Stubs?
Pay stub requirements vary by state. Most states require employers to provide some form of earnings statement, either in paper form or electronically. States with strict requirements include California, New York, Texas, and most others. At the federal level, the FLSA does not specifically require pay stubs, but employers must maintain payroll records. Check your state's Department of Labor website for specific requirements.
Pay Stub Generator vs Payroll Software
This free generator is ideal for one-off stubs, samples, or personal documentation. For ongoing payroll with tax filing, W-2 generation, and direct deposit, use dedicated payroll software such as Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, ADP Run, or Paychex Flex. These services handle quarterly payroll tax deposits and year-end W-2s that this generator cannot provide.
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