Why Audit Your Own Payslip
Most payslip concerns come from misreading one line, not from an actual payroll error. A structured audit helps you confirm the math and, if something is off, raise it with HR using evidence instead of a vague complaint.
Step 1: Confirm Gross and Period
Start with gross pay and the cut-off period. Make sure the days covered, basic pay, and any taxable allowances match your contract and attendance for that period.
Step 2: Check Statutory Deductions
Work through each deduction in the order payroll usually applies them:
1. SSS — compare against your Monthly Salary Credit using the SSS Contribution Calculator.
2. PhilHealth — verify the premium share with the PhilHealth Premium Calculator.
3. Pag-IBIG — confirm the contribution and cap treatment.
Step 3: Reconcile Withholding Tax
Withholding tax is computed on taxable income after statutory contributions. Recompute taxable pay, then estimate the monthly tax with the Withholding Tax Calculator. Remember that bonuses and annualization can shift withholding even without a base-pay change.
Step 4: Rebuild Net Pay
Add back the picture from the top: gross, minus statutory deductions, minus tax, minus any non-statutory items (loans, tardiness). The Salary Calculator and Payslip Generator give you a clean reference layout to compare against.
Step 5: Isolate Differences
If your number differs from payroll:
- Compare one line at a time, not net pay directly.
- Check for rounding and cut-off timing differences.
- Look for mid-period adjustments or correction entries.
How to Escalate Cleanly
When you contact HR, include the period, the specific line item, your recomputation, and the table or rule you used. This format resolves issues faster than reporting only that net pay looks wrong.
Disclaimer
This guide is educational. Employer payroll systems and agency remittance have technical nuances; rely on HR and official records for final corrections.