What Your Paystub Actually Tells You When You Work in Michigan

Whether you're pulling double shifts at a diner in Grand Rapids or freelancing from your basement in Ann Arbor, your paycheck probably isn’t telling you the full story — unless you take a good look at the stub that comes with it. If you're lucky enough to get one.

That stub’s more than just a summary. It's your only real glimpse into where your money's going and how much you're actually taking home. And if you're not using a tool to track it — well, it’s easy to miss things.

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So, Where’s Your Money Really Going?

Alright, let’s start with the basics. Every paycheck gets hit with federal taxes, no matter where you are in the country. In Michigan, this looks something like:

Here’s what usually comes out:

• Federal income tax — how much depends on your income bracket
• Social Security — 6.2 percent straight off your gross
• Medicare — another 1.45 percent, and if you're pulling over 200K a year, there's an extra 0.9 percent they’ll add

Your employer matches a chunk of that, but your side of it is right there on the stub.

The Michigan-Specific Cuts That Sneak Up on You

Michigan keeps it kinda simple. The state income tax is a flat 4.25 percent — doesn't matter if you're making minimum wage in Flint or raking it in from remote gigs up in Traverse City.

But there's more to it:

• Local city taxes can hit you if you're working in places like Detroit or Lansing. They’ve got their own rates.
• Unemployment contributions are mostly on the employer side, but still show up in processing.
• Paid leave programs or disability insurance might show up too, depending on where you work.

If your stub's not showing these or if it feels off, it’s worth double-checking.

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I Started Using a Paystub Generator When I Couldn't Get a Lease

True story. A couple years back I was bouncing between contracts and short-term gigs. When a landlord in Kalamazoo asked me for paystubs, I had... nothing. Just my bank statements.

Found a paystub generator online, popped in my info, and printed something that looked clean and legit. Got the place. Ever since, I use it to keep records for everything — taxes, loan apps, or just making sure I’m not missing money.

What Shows Up on a Michigan Paystub (If It’s Done Right)

A decent paystub should include:

• Your name, job, who paid you, and the pay period
• Your gross earnings (before anything’s taken out)
• The taxes: federal, state, and maybe local
• Deductions like healthcare, 401k, or even parking passes
• Net pay — the number that actually hits your account

Say you’re making $20 an hour and working 32 hours a week. That’s $640 gross. After taxes and deductions, you might see $500 to $520, give or take.

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Stuff Can (and Does) Go Wrong With Payroll

Ask anyone working hourly in Michigan. I know a guy who does landscaping in Jackson. He once noticed his overtime hours were missing for two pay periods. The system just didn’t flag them.

Other things that can mess up your stub:

• Using an old W-4 and ending up with the wrong tax withheld
• Benefits not syncing correctly (especially with part-time roles)
• Missing city tax if you’re working in Detroit and live outside it
• Retirement deductions not getting pulled even though you signed up

That’s why it's smart to check your stub every time, not just during tax season.

Generating Your Own Stub Isn’t Complicated Anymore

Honestly, if you can fill out a contact form, you can make a stub.

Just punch in:

• Your name, employer info, and when you worked
• How much you made (hourly or salary, doesn't matter)
• Any extra income, like bonuses or tips
• Deductions if you know them, or let the tool figure it out

Then you get a downloadable stub that looks official. Done in like three minutes.

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Who’s Actually Using These Tools?

You’d be surprised.

• People doing gig work who still need pay proof
• Small business owners paying folks under the table who want to clean things up
• Workers between jobs applying for unemployment or SNAP
• Contractors getting ready for tax season and realizing they have no records

If you’re not getting regular stubs or just want to keep your own receipts in order, this kind of tool helps.

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Final Thought

Paystubs matter more than most people think. Whether you're running payroll for your flower shop in Holland or juggling two jobs in Dearborn, knowing what’s on your check — and what’s missing — can make or break your budget.

A Michigan paystub generator isn’t about looking fancy. It’s about knowing your numbers and having the paper trail when you need it.

Especially when someone asks, “Can you prove that income?”