Louisiana Final Paycheck Law & Calculator
Add your unpaid Louisiana wages and accrued PTO to estimate your last-day total after tax.
$3,750.00
Gross final paycheck
Est. taxes: ~$1,271.26 (33.9%)
$2,478.74
Estimated net take-home
Estimates only. PTO payout rights and tax withholding vary by state, employer policy, and individual circumstances. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult your state labor department or a qualified professional. See our methodology.
Final pay and PTO in Louisiana
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 23:631, employers must pay all final wages to departing employees on or before the next regularly scheduled payday or within 15 days of separation, whichever occurs first, regardless of whether the employee quit or was discharged. Because Louisiana lacks a state labor board for wage claims, unpaid final wage claims must be filed through private lawsuits in state court or submitted to the federal Department of Labor. Late wage payments can trigger penalty wages of up to 90 days' pay plus reasonable attorney fees if the employer willfully refuses to pay.
Your final paycheck combines any regular wages you earned but were not yet paid with your accrued PTO payout where it is owed. Use-it-or-lose-it forfeiture of earned time is not allowed in Louisiana, and the window to claim unpaid final wages runs for 3 years. This calculator pre-selects Louisiana so the state tax estimate is built in.
For the governing statute (reference: La. Rev. Stat. § 23:631) and a full PTO breakdown, see the Louisiana PTO payout guide and final paycheck rules by state.
When is your final paycheck due in Louisiana?
| Situation | Final paycheck deadline |
|---|---|
| If you are fired or laid off | Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier |
| If you quit | Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier |
This deadline applies to your whole final paycheck, including any accrued PTO Louisiana requires to be paid. Late or missing final pay can entitle you to penalties or interest \u2014 file an unpaid-wage claim with the Louisiana courts or the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division (Louisiana has no state wage-claim agency). Deadlines change with legislation, so confirm the current rule before acting.
Official Louisiana Wage Claim Resources
If your employer holds your final paycheck or fails to pay you correct wages, you can contact the official state agency to get help:
- Wage Agency: Louisiana courts or the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division (Louisiana has no state wage-claim agency)
- Phone Support: (225) 342-3111
- Official Website: https://www.louisianaworks.net/
Frequently asked questions
When is my final paycheck due in Louisiana? +
If your employment ends in Louisiana, your final paycheck — including any owed PTO — is due as follows. If you are fired or laid off: Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier. If you quit: Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier. Deadlines can change, so confirm the current rule with the state labor department.
Is PTO included in a final paycheck in Louisiana? +
Louisiana treats accrued vacation as earned wages, so your unused PTO must be included in your final paycheck. Reference: La. Rev. Stat. § 23:631.
How is my final paycheck taxed in Louisiana? +
Regular wages are withheld at your normal rate; the PTO portion is a supplemental wage withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, an estimated 4.3% Louisiana rate, and 7.65% FICA.
How long do I have to claim unpaid final wages in Louisiana? +
The statute of limitations for unpaid-wage claims in Louisiana is 3 years. File a claim with the state labor department if your final check is missing or wrong.