Pay stub
Learn what a pay stub is, what it shows and the common deductions on a Canadian pay stub.
Published Thursday 23 July 2026
Table of contents
Key takeaways
- A pay stub is a document that shows how your pay was worked out for a specific pay period.
- It breaks down your gross pay, your deductions, your net pay, and your year-to-date (YTD) totals.
- Employers in Canada generally must give employees a written pay statement, though the exact rules vary by province.
- The Canada Revenue Agency requires employers to keep payroll records for at least 6 years.
What is a pay stub?
A pay stub is a document that breaks down how your pay was worked out for a given pay period. It's also called a payslip, paycheque stub, pay advice, or statement of earnings.
Your pay stub starts with your gross pay, the total you earned before anything comes out. It then lists your deductions, and what's left is your net pay, the amount that lands in your bank account.
What is a pay stub used for?
A pay stub does more than confirm you've been paid. It's a practical record you'll reach for in a few common situations.
- Proof of income: lenders and landlords often ask for recent pay stubs to confirm what you earn.
- Year-end reconciling: you can check your stubs against your T4 slip to confirm the totals match.
- Catching errors: reviewing each stub helps you spot mistakes in hours, pay rate, or deductions early.
What information is on a pay stub?
Layouts differ between employers, but most Canadian pay stubs carry the same core details. Here's what you'll usually find on yours.
- Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions.
- Deductions are the amounts taken from your gross pay, such as taxes.
- Employer contributions are extra amounts your employer pays on your behalf, such as their share of payroll contributions.
- Net pay is your take-home amount after all deductions.
- Year-to-date (YTD) totals show your earnings and deductions so far this year.
- Pay period is the date range the payment covers.
- Pay rate is your hourly wage or salary for the period.
- Employee and employer details include names, addresses, and identifying numbers.
Common deductions on a Canadian pay stub
Some deductions are mandatory, which means your employer must withhold them from every pay. On a Canadian pay stub, the mandatory deductions are usually these three.
- Federal and provincial income tax is withheld based on your earnings and where you work.
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions go toward your future retirement pension, or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributions if you work in Quebec.
- Employment Insurance (EI) premiums fund benefits you can claim if you lose your job or take certain leaves.
Beyond the mandatory deductions, your stub may show voluntary amounts you've agreed to, like health benefits, retirement contributions, or union dues. It may also show garnishments, which are court-ordered amounts such as child support that your employer must withhold.
Are employers required to provide pay stubs in Canada?
Yes, in most cases. Federally regulated employers must give employees a written statement of wages under the Canada Labour Code.
Provincial and territorial employment standards also generally require a written pay statement, though the exact rules vary by province. Check your provincial employment standards to confirm what applies to you.
How long should you keep pay stubs?
The Canada Revenue Agency requires employers to keep payroll records for at least 6 years. You can read more about keeping payroll records in the small business payroll guide.
As an employee, it's smart to hold on to your stubs until you've reconciled them against your T4 slip at tax time. That way you have proof on hand if the totals don't line up.
Paper and electronic pay stubs
Pay stubs come in paper or electronic form, and electronic delivery is now the norm for most Canadian employers. How you get yours depends on how your employer runs payroll.
Today you'll usually access your stub through an online payroll portal, a secure PDF sent by email, or a request to your HR team. Whichever format you use, keep a copy you can find later.
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FAQs on pay stubs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about pay stubs.
Is a pay stub the same as a paycheque?
No. A paycheque is the payment itself, while a pay stub is the attached record that explains how that payment was calculated.
What is the difference between deductions and garnishments on a pay stub?
Deductions cover routine amounts like taxes and benefits that come off most pay cheques. Garnishments are specific court-ordered amounts, such as child support, that an employer is legally required to withhold.
How do you get a copy of a lost pay stub?
Ask your employer or payroll administrator, since they keep records and can usually reissue a copy. If you use a payroll portal, you can often download past stubs yourself.
Do pay stubs show year-to-date totals?
Most do. Year-to-date figures track your cumulative earnings and deductions across the year, which makes reconciling your T4 at tax time much easier.
Related terms
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Disclaimer
This glossary is for small business owners. The definitions are written with their requirements in mind. More detailed definitions can be found in accounting textbooks or from an accounting professional. Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice.