Using Paystubs to Verify your Employment? Read this First
Verifying your employment is mandatory if you need to apply for a loan or take out a medical insurance policy. You may also have to show proof of your employment status if you wish to rent an apartment. Your landlord will want to confirm that you have adequate income to manage the monthly rent payment. Paystubs can be admissible as employment proof in many such situations. We have some essential tips if you plan on taking your check stubs to verify your job status.
Are Paystubs Legally Admissible as Employment Proof?
Yes, you can use your payslips to confirm your job status with banks, landlords, financial institutions, etc. Most organizations permit the use of checkstubs as valid employment verification. These vital financial records reflect your total income and the amounts the employer has deducted for taxes, insurance, investments, retirement policies, etc. You should receive these records from your company at the end of a pay period. Self-employed professionals often use a paystub generator free to create their payslips.
It is best to cross-check the accepted list of documents when you are preparing an application. It should usually be available on the official website of the respective institution.
What Information should your Paystub Contain?
Your paystub will become admissible as employment proof only when it includes all the necessary details. It should show your full name, address, the details of your employer, and gross earnings for a particular pay period. It should also showcase your Social Security Number (SSN) and the date of issue. The bottom line is that the document should contain all the details a bank or a landlord may require to validate that your income is adequate for the requirement.
What can you do if your Business does not Share Paystubs?
Many states in the US, including Lowa, New Jersey, and South Carolina have rules mandating an employer to share access to paystubs in every pay cycle. Ohio, Tennessee, and some other states do not have such requirements. However, companies do have to track payroll as per the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). So, if your workplace does not provide a paystub for each pay period, you can request it. Your HR team should be easily able to generate the said document for you. It is best to send in a request early so that your application does not get delayed.
Another option is to generate a paystub with a free check stub maker with calculator. StubCheck.com lets you create a professional document with all the necessary details within minutes. You can create a standard paystub at just $3.99. You can use the enhanced template if you wish to include specific facts that your bank has requested. It provides additional options like fields for marital status and income from multiple sources. This route works well for contractors, business owners, freelancers, etc. Self-employed professionals do not receive regular payslips but can easily use an online paystub generator to create a similar document.
How do Paystubs Get Verified?
Most landlords verify the info provided on the paystub with the company. Banks and other financial bodies also follow up on any details you share to ensure that the specifics are in order. Sometimes, you may be required to provide a formal attestation from your organization through a state-specific form. For instance, Texas uses Form H1028 for verification.
Be cautious about fake stub makers that abound on the internet. It may be tempting to generate fraudulent documents to get the job done, but you may pay a hefty price down the road. If fraud is detected, your application may get rejected. You may also incur penalties and get black-listed for future applications. It is also a bad idea to fudge any numbers on your paystub. If your organization contests the claims you have made, your application is sure to get stalled.
Can your Paystub Get Rejected as Job Verification?
While many institutions accept checkstubs as employment proof, there is a chance that they might get rejected. Some landlords may refuse to entertain them and request additional documents like tax records or a formal letter from your company. It is because paystubs are relatively easy to duplicate. Anyone with some basic computer skills can easily create spurious papers. We recommend preparing supporting documents if you rely on paystubs as your primary reference point.
What Alternative Options can you use for Employment Proof?
Besides paystubs, you can use your W2 or Form 1099 to share confirmation of your job status. Proof of employment letter or POE from your manager is a common approach. Such a letter declares your current role in the organization and attests to your employment history. Some also use bank statements and court-related papers to verify employment/income.
There are solutions to share employment/income proof even if you are between jobs. You may also use a loss of income document like Form CS ES 2620 in Florida to document the necessary info. Your records for unemployment insurance can also serve the purpose. It can be helpful if you have suddenly got terminated from your job. These insurance forms reflect your overall income and the reason for the termination.
Some organizations rely on payroll providers to verify the employment status of a potential client, renter, etc. These B2B service companies process employee payroll and have all the necessary particulars regarding your job and income. You can use official documentation from such a third-party provider to verify your employment.
Final Word
Paystubs remain a popular way of sharing employment proof for day-to-day financial needs, accommodation, credit card applications, etc. We recommend storing your paystubs for at least the last financial year so you can refer to them whenever the need arises. If you use digital checkstubs, your storage needs reduce tremendously. Accessing and tracking finances also becomes simple with a paystub online. Since paystubs have become easy to duplicate in this age of digital revolution, it would be wise to use them together with other documents to build a strong case.