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Pay Stub Codes & Abbreviations Explained
Decode paystub codes and paycheck abbreviations: FICA HI, FIT/FWT, SIT, RES SIT, OASDI, MEDI, YTD, 401(k), deductions, taxes, and earnings.
Paystub abbreviations identify earnings, federal and state taxes, benefit deductions, retirement contributions, garnishments, reimbursements, and year-to-date totals. The same concept can appear under different payroll-system labels, so the code must be read in the context of the statement that uses it.
Start with the employer or payroll provider's legend, then compare the current amount, taxable wage base, rate or hours, and year-to-date column. Common federal labels include FIT or FWT for federal income tax, OASDI for Social Security, and MED or Medicare for Medicare tax.
A code guide can explain a label but cannot determine whether a deduction or tax is correct for a particular worker. Elections, benefits, plan documents, court orders, local rules, and payroll settings may control the actual entry.
Best Paystub Generator creates simulated earnings documents for lawful personal record-keeping. It does not verify employment or income and does not replace records issued by an employer or payroll provider.
How to check an unfamiliar code
- Locate the current and year-to-date columns.
- Check the statement legend or payroll portal.
- Compare the entry with the applicable election, plan, order, or tax guidance.
- Ask the original issuer to correct an unexplained mismatch.
FICA
Federal Insurance Contributions Act
A mandatory federal payroll tax deduction that funds Social Security and Medicare. On many paystubs, FICA is the combined label for OASDI/Social Security plus Medicare withholding.
Also shown as: OASDI + MED, Social Security + Medicare
FICA HI
FICA Hospital Insurance
Another label for Medicare tax. HI stands for Hospital Insurance, the Medicare Part A program funded by the 1.45% employee Medicare payroll tax.
Also shown as: HI, MED, MCARE, MEDI
OASDI
Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance
The official name for Social Security tax. It is usually withheld at 6.2% of covered wages up to the annual wage base and may appear as OASDI, SS, or Social Security.
Also shown as: SS, SOC SEC, SOCSEC
Read the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance definition
MED / MCARE / MEDI
Medicare Tax
A federal payroll tax on Medicare-covered wages, usually withheld at 1.45% with no wage cap. An additional 0.9% is withheld once wages from the employer exceed $200,000 in a calendar year.
Also shown as: MEDI, FICA HI, HI, Medicare
FED / FIT / FWT
Federal Income Tax
Federal income tax withheld from your paycheck and sent to the IRS. The amount depends on wages, filing status, dependents, extra withholding, and your Form W-4.
Also shown as: FWT, FITW, Federal Withholding
SIT / SWT / RES SIT
State Income Tax
State income tax withheld for your resident or work state. RES SIT usually means resident state income tax, while SWT and SIT are common state withholding labels.
Also shown as: SWT, STATE, RES SIT, State Withholding
401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan
An employee retirement contribution. Traditional salary deferrals generally reduce federal income-tax wages but remain subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. Roth contributions do not reduce current federal income-tax wages.
Also shown as: 401K, RETIRE, ROTH401K
YTD
Year to Date
A running total from January 1 through the current pay period. YTD appears next to wages, taxes, deductions, and net pay so you can track annual totals.
Also shown as: Year-to-date, Year to date
GROSS
Gross Pay
Your total pay before taxes and deductions. Gross pay includes regular wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and other taxable earnings.
Also shown as: GROSS PAY, TOTAL EARNINGS
NET
Net Pay
Your take-home pay after taxes, benefits, retirement contributions, garnishments, and other deductions are subtracted from gross pay.
Also shown as: NET PAY, TAKE HOME, DIRECT DEP
OT / OVT
Overtime Pay
Extra pay for overtime hours, commonly 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for non-exempt employees who work over 40 hours in a workweek.
Also shown as: OVT, OVERTIME, OT PAY
SDI / CASDI
State Disability Insurance
State disability insurance withholding. CASDI is California State Disability Insurance; similar disability or family leave deductions may appear in a few other states.
Also shown as: CASDI, SDI EE, VPDI
FLI
Family Leave Insurance
A payroll deduction used by some states to fund paid family leave benefits. It is common in states such as New Jersey and New York.
Also shown as: PFL, FAMLI, Paid Family Leave
LTD / STD
Long/Short Term Disability
Disability insurance premiums or employer-paid benefits that help replace income if illness or injury keeps you from working.
Also shown as: STD, LTD, DISABILITY
HSA / FSA
Health Savings or Flexible Spending Account
Contributions to a health savings account or health flexible spending arrangement. Their eligibility, tax treatment and use-of-funds rules differ. Check the plan name; a dependent-care FSA is a separate benefit.
Also shown as: HSA EE, FSA MED
Read the Health Savings or Flexible Spending Account definition
DUES
Union or Membership Dues
Payroll deductions for union dues, professional association fees or membership payments. Check the authorization and payroll explanation for the amount and tax treatment; the code alone does not establish either.
Also shown as: UNION, UN DUES, MEMBERSHIP
GARN / CS
Garnishment or Child Support
A court-ordered deduction for debts, child support, tax levies, or other legal obligations. Employers must withhold it once a valid order is received.
Also shown as: GARNISH, CHILD SUPPORT, LEVY
GTL / IMPUTED
Group Term Life or Imputed Income
The taxable value of certain employer-provided benefits, such as group term life insurance above $50,000. It may increase taxable wages without increasing take-home pay.
Also shown as: GTL, IMPTD, IMP INC