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Guide · 5 min read · Updated 2026

Virginia pay stub requirements

Governed by Virginia Code § 40.1-29 (as amended in 2019 and 2020). This guide covers the mandatory items on every wage statement, penalties for non-compliance, and a checklist for VA employers.

The rule in one paragraph

Since 2020, Virginia has required a written statement of earnings each pay period. Non-compliance can trigger treble damages plus attorney's fees, and a knowing violation can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony depending on wages owed.

Mandatory wage-statement items

  1. 1
    Employer name and address

    Legal business name and physical address.

  2. 2
    Number of hours worked

    Regular and overtime hours for non-exempt employees.

  3. 3
    Rate of pay

    Hourly, salary, or piece rate applied.

  4. 4
    Gross wages

    Total wages earned for the pay period.

  5. 5
    Amount and purpose of deductions

    Each deduction itemized with its purpose.

Penalties and retention

Penalties

Treble damages plus attorney's fees under Va. Code § 40.1-29(J). Knowing violations of $10,000 or more can be prosecuted as a Class 6 felony; smaller amounts are Class 1 misdemeanors.

Record retention

Three years under 16 VAC 15-30-30.

Electronic wage statements

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

Compliance checklist

  • All § 40.1-29 items appear on every stub
  • Records retained for at least three years
  • Deduction purposes labeled clearly
  • Portal or paper delivery available
  • Payroll officers understand felony exposure at $10k+

Frequently asked questions

When did Virginia become a pay-stub state?

July 1, 2020 — an amendment to § 40.1-29 replaced the prior "on request" rule with mandatory itemized statements each pay period.

Are electronic pay stubs allowed?

Yes, provided employees can access them at no cost.

Can wage theft be a felony in Virginia?

Yes — knowing failure to pay wages of $10,000 or more is a Class 6 felony under § 40.1-29.

Who enforces Virginia pay stub rules?

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). Employees may also sue privately for treble damages.

Generate a VA-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.