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Guide · 5 min read · Updated 2026

Michigan pay stub requirements

Governed by Michigan Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act, MCL 408.479. This guide covers the mandatory items on every wage statement, penalties for non-compliance, and a checklist for MI employers.

The rule in one paragraph

Michigan requires a written statement identifying hours, wages, and deductions each pay period. The Wage and Hour Division of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) enforces the rule.

Mandatory wage-statement items

  1. 1
    Hours worked

    Total hours worked in the pay period.

  2. 2
    Gross wages

    Total wages earned before deductions.

  3. 3
    Identification of pay period

    Beginning and ending dates of the pay period.

  4. 4
    Deductions

    Each deduction itemized separately.

  5. 5
    Net wages

    Take-home pay after deductions.

Penalties and retention

Penalties

LEO may award unpaid wages plus a civil fine up to $1,000. Employees may sue for double damages under MCL 408.488 for intentional violations, plus attorney's fees.

Record retention

Three years under MCL 408.479(2) for wage records and time cards.

Electronic wage statements

Allowed, provided employees can access and print records at no cost.

Compliance checklist

  • All five required items appear on every stub
  • Records retained for at least three years
  • Overtime hours captured for non-exempt workers
  • Portal or paper delivery is documented
  • Deductions authorized where required

Frequently asked questions

Does Michigan require pay stubs?

Yes — MCL 408.479 requires a written statement each pay period identifying hours, wages, and deductions.

Are electronic pay stubs allowed?

Yes, when employees can access them at no cost.

How long to file an MI wage claim?

One year from the violation for a LEO claim; three years to sue in court.

Are Michigan employers required to itemize taxes?

Yes — each deduction (federal tax, state tax, FICA, etc.) must be listed separately.

Generate a MI-compliant pay stub

StubGenPro's US pay stub template covers hours-at-each-rate, itemized deductions, YTD totals, and pay-period dates — the fields most state laws require.