What document is provided to employees every pay period detailing their earnings?

The paycheck stub, often referred to simply as a pay stub, is the document that employees receive every pay period that outlines their earnings for that period. It provides crucial details including the total amount earned, deductions for taxes, insurance contributions, and any other withholdings, as well as the net pay that the employee receives. This information empowers employees to understand their earnings and the deductions being taken from their paychecks, allowing for better financial planning and tracking of income.

In contrast, a paycheck is simply the physical or electronic form of payment issued to the employee, while a Form W-2 is an annual tax document that summarizes an employee's total earnings and the taxes withheld over the entire year, not just for a single pay period. A tax return, on the other hand, is a yearly financial statement submitted to the tax authorities that declares an individual's income and tax obligations, making it unrelated to the regular earnings documentation provided after each pay cycle.