FIRST PAYSTUB

Reconcile the paycheck before building the budget.

Gross salary is not available cash. Every tax, benefit and payroll deduction must match the offer and enrollment.

INPUTS

Gather the facts first.

01

Offer letter: rate, salary, bonus and pay frequency

02

Paystub: current and year-to-date earnings, taxes and deductions

03

Benefit elections and effective dates

04

W-4 filing inputs and any other household income

DECISION MAP

Use the branch that matches the evidence.

Decision map
Situation	Evidence	Action
Gross pay is wrong	Rate, hours or salary period does not match the offer.	Contact payroll with the offer and calculation before using the check for planning.
Benefits differ	Deduction or coverage does not match enrollment.	Resolve with HR/plan administrator and verify the correction on the next stub.
Withholding looks wrong	Multiple jobs, bonus or household income make the default unreliable.	Use the IRS estimator; submit a new W-4 if indicated.

DO THE WORK

Complete it in order.

Step 1

Convert annual salary to expected gross per pay period.

Step 2

Name every tax, pre-tax, Roth and after-tax deduction.

Step 3

Reconcile the net deposit and year-to-date totals.

Step 4

Use ordinary net pay—not overtime or bonus—for recurring expenses.

YOUR NEXT MOVE

Finish with a paystub you can explain line by line.

Match gross pay, deductions, withholding, benefits, and the deposit. Then carry the verified net amount into monthly cash flow.

Gross pay matches rate and hours.

Every deduction is identified.

Benefit deductions match enrollment.

Withholding was reviewed for the household.

Net deposit reconciles to the stub.

The budget uses ordinary net pay.

PRIMARY REFERENCES

Verify current rules at the source.

NEXT DECISION