Which financial document provides a detailed breakdown of an employee's earnings and deductions over a pay period?

The paycheck stub, often referred to as the pay stub or pay statement, provides a comprehensive overview of an employee's earnings and deductions for a specific pay period. This document typically includes essential details such as gross pay, net pay, and various deductions like taxes, insurance premiums, and retirement contributions. By breaking down these components, the pay stub allows employees to understand precisely how their pay was calculated, helping them manage their finances effectively.

Other options do not serve this purpose as effectively. A paycheck refers to the actual payment issued to the employee but doesn’t detail the deductions or the breakdown of earnings. A wage statement may describe an employee’s earnings but often lacks the specific breakdown of deductions that a pay stub provides. A tax form, like a W-2 or 1099, is designed for reporting yearly earnings and tax information to the government, rather than providing a detailed breakdown for a single pay period.