Where Did My Money Go? Your First Paycheck Explained
Understand your paycheck with confidence.
Learn how taxes, deductions, and take-home pay work so you know exactly where your money goes — every pay period.
Every line of your paystub, decoded
Federal, state and FICA deductions clearly explained
How to spot payroll errors early
What’s Inside
Understanding Your Paystub
A clear explanation of gross pay, net pay, pay periods, and the main sections of a paycheck.
Taxes and Deductions
Simple explanations of federal taxes, state taxes, FICA, benefits, and other common deductions.
Spotting Payroll Errors
Practical tips for checking your paycheck and catching mistakes before they become bigger problems.