California Pay Stub Generator
California has the strictest pay stub rules in the country. Labor Code §226(a) lists exactly what an itemized wage statement must show, and employers who leave items out face per-pay-period penalties.
PayStub Guru is NOT a bank, employer, government agency, or financial institution. We provide pay stub generation tools for legitimate record-keeping purposes only. Generated documents are not official employer records and must not be used for fraudulent purposes. Read Legal FAQ
Creating a California pay stub
This generator starts with California selected, so state income tax (2026 brackets, by filing status) and State Disability Insurance (SDI, 1.3% of wages) are calculated for you and shown as separate lines.
Pay Stub Information
Tax rates last updated October 22, 2026. Sources: IRS, SSA, state tax agencies and Tax Foundation.
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Does California require pay stubs?
Yes. Employers must give every employee an itemized wage statement with each payment of wages, either attached to the paycheck or provided separately on payday.
Law: California Labor Code §226(a)
Paper or electronic: A written statement is required. Electronic statements are generally accepted if employees can easily access and print them, and many employers get consent first. Employers must keep copies for at least 3 years.
What a California pay stub must show
- Gross wages earned
- Total hours worked (non-exempt employees)
- Number of piece-rate units and rates, if paid by piece
- All deductions, itemized
- Net wages earned
- Start and end dates of the pay period
- Employee name and last four digits of SSN or an employee ID
- Employer legal name and address
- Every hourly rate in effect and the hours worked at each rate
- Available paid sick leave (on the stub or in a separate writing on payday)
California payroll deductions in 2026
| Line on the stub | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% once wages pass $200,000 |
| Federal income tax | Based on the employee's Form W-4 and IRS Publication 15-T |
| CA state income tax | Progressive, 1% to 12.3%, plus a 1% Mental Health Services Tax on income over $1 million. |
| CA SDI | 1.3% of wages in 2026, with no wage cap since 2024. Funds both disability insurance and Paid Family Leave. |
California has no city or county income taxes, so stubs only carry state and federal tax lines.
California take-home pay calculator
California tax uses 2026 brackets and deductions.
| Per paycheck | Amount | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 | $60,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | -$193.08 | -$5,020.08 |
| California income tax | -$60.50 | -$1,573.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$143.08 | -$3,720.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$33.46 | -$869.96 |
| CA SDI | -$30.00 | -$780.00 |
Estimate using 2026 federal brackets and the standard deduction for your filing status, with no extra withholding or other credits. Social Security is 6.2% up to $184,500 a year; Medicare is 1.45% plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000. Local taxes (such as NYC or county taxes) are not included, except Maryland county tax, which is withheld with the state tax. Not tax advice.
Tax rates last updated October 22, 2026. Sources: IRS, SSA, state tax agencies and Tax Foundation.
California minimum wage
$16.90 per hour statewide in 2026. Many cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose) set higher local rates, and fast food workers have a separate $20.00 rate.
California pay stub FAQ
What must be on a California pay stub?
Labor Code §226(a) requires gross wages, total hours worked (non-exempt), piece-rate units, all deductions, net wages, pay period dates, the employee name with the last four SSN digits or an employee ID, the employer legal name and address, and every hourly rate with the hours worked at each. Paid sick leave available must also be shown on the stub or in a separate writing.
What is the California SDI rate for 2026?
The 2026 SDI withholding rate is 1.3% of wages. Since 2024 there is no taxable wage limit, so SDI is withheld on all wages.
Can California pay stubs be electronic?
Generally yes, as long as employees can easily access and print them. Many employers get employee consent first because the law only describes a written statement.
What is the penalty for a non-compliant California wage statement?
Under Labor Code §226(e), an employee can recover $50 for the first pay period with a violation and $100 for each later pay period, up to $4,000.
Important Legal Information
Please read these carefully before using our service. Misuse of generated documents is illegal and has serious consequences.
We Are NOT a Bank, Employer, or Government Agency
PayStub Guru is an independent software service. We are not affiliated with any: banks, employers, government agencies, tax authorities (IRS, HMRC, CRA, ATO, LHDN), financial institutions, or payroll companies. We do not verify employment or income. We provide software tools only.
Yes, it is completely legal to use a pay stub generator for legitimate purposes such as record-keeping, bookkeeping, or understanding payroll calculations. However, using generated pay stubs for fraudulent purposes (like misrepresenting income for loans or apartments) is illegal and constitutes fraud.
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