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New York PTO Payout Calculator & Law

State Labor Laws Last Reviewed: June 2026
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)Policy Dependent

Conditional. Under New York labor laws (N.Y. Labor Law § 198-c), employers are not strictly required to pay out PTO unless the company's written policy, employee handbook, or employment contract promises or guarantees it.

Source: New York Department of Labor / Wage Guidelines
Citing Statute: N.Y. Labor Law § 198-c
📖In-Depth Guide: Read our complete breakdown of New York PTO Payout Law (2026).
Enter your details

How are you paid?

$

Your full pay before taxes are taken out

Most full-time jobs are 40

That works out to $31.25 per hour

How many PTO hours you have left. Check your latest pay stub.

This changes the eligibility guidance below, not the dollar amount.

Optional: wages already paid this year

Use amounts from this employer before this payout. Leave blank to assume zero. These inputs affect Social Security, Additional Medicare, and the $1 million supplemental withholding threshold.

Estimated Final Separation Pay

Gross Value of Earned Vacation Time

$2,500.00

80 hrs × $31.25/hr


Federal withholding (22.0%)-$550.00
New York tax (10.9%)-$272.50
Social Security & Medicare-$191.25
Estimated withholding-$1,013.75

Estimated take-home

$1,486.25

40.6% of your accrued time off goes to taxes

Tax40.6%
Net take-home
Federal tax
State tax
FICA
Policy Dependent

New York requires vacation payout unless the employer has a clearly written policy stating unused vacation is forfeited at separation.

Learn more →

What this means for you

In New York, it depends on your company’s written policy. If the policy says you lose unused PTO when you quit (a “use-it-or-lose-it” rule), you may not get paid — check your handbook and give the notice it asks for.

Estimates only. Tax withholding may differ based on your full-year income, filing status, and deductions. Consult a tax professional for exact figures.

Assumptions: Uses 2026 federal thresholds and the optional flat supplemental withholding method. State rates are illustrative estimates. Your employer may use the aggregate method or other applicable payroll rules; withholding is not your final tax liability.

Disclaimer: These figures are automated estimates for informational and educational use under current labor guidelines. This calculator does not process binding tax or legal withholding, and does not constitute formal accounting or employment law advice. Always verify final calculations with your local labor department or a qualified legal expert.

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Add this free, interactive calculator to your own site or blog. It runs instantly in the browser and helps your readers calculate their PTO payout.

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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.

Tax figures assume eligible flat supplemental withholding: 22% federal below the annual $1 million threshold, payroll taxes, and an illustrative state rate. Employers may use other permitted methods. Prior wages are assumed to be zero unless entered; state rates and individual payroll deductions need confirmation with payroll.

Researched & maintained by The PTO Payout Research TeamState-law data last reviewed June 11, 2026

How much is a PTO payout in New York?

Your New York PTO payout equals accrued unused hours × your hourly rate. Payout depends on your employer's policy. Expect 22% federal withholding, about 10.9% New York tax, and 7.65% FICA.

New York PTO payout law, in plain English

What to check before estimating New York vacation pay

New York requires vacation payout unless the employer has a clearly written policy stating unused vacation is forfeited at separation.

Reference: N.Y. Labor Law § 198-c. Confirm whether the balance is earned vacation, combined PTO, sick leave, or time advanced before it was earned. Those distinctions can change what is payable.

Keep your final leave statement and policy with the calculation. A gross-value estimate does not establish that every displayed hour is eligible for payout.

State source: New York State Department of Labor, Division of Labor Standards. This is an agency resource; it does not independently verify every estimate or settle eligibility.

Reference: N.Y. Labor Law § 198-c. Use-it-or-lose-it policies are allowed in New York, and the statute of limitations for unpaid-wage claims is 6 years.

Caps, accrual rollover & penalties

New York permits reasonable annual caps and use-it-or-lose-it rollover limits, provided they are written into policy and communicated in advance. Earned time below the cap is still owed where policy treats PTO as compensation.

What this means for employees

The state summary makes payout depend on the employer's written policy or agreement. Before leaving, save your leave statement, handbook, and final pay stub. Confirm that the balance is vacation or combined PTO rather than sick leave or advanced time. Reference: N.Y. Labor Law § 198-c. The calculator's net figure is an estimate using a 10.9% illustrative state rate and an assumed federal withholding method.

What this means for employers

The listed policy setting allows use-it-or-lose-it rules, subject to the source and the employer's actual written policy. Keep the policy version, balance history, pay rate, and calculation together. The calculator uses a 10.9% illustrative state withholding assumption; payroll should select the permitted method and account for the employee's year-to-date wages.

How to calculate your New York PTO payout

For New York, calculate gross value as eligible hours × the applicable hourly rate. For a salary, divide annual salary by scheduled annual hours rather than assuming every role uses 2,080 hours. Then compare the employer's withholding method, year-to-date wages, payroll taxes, state assumptions (10.9% in this estimate), and other deductions. The result is an estimate, not a payroll instruction.

Official New York Wage Claim Resources

If you are denied your legal PTO payout or have wage disputes under state labor codes, you can contact the official agency below:

New York PTO payout FAQ

Does New York require PTO payout when you quit or are fired?+

In New York, PTO payout depends on your employer's written policy or contract. Reference: N.Y. Labor Law § 198-c.

Are use-it-or-lose-it policies legal in New York?+

Use-it-or-lose-it policies are allowed in New York.

How much tax is taken from a PTO payout in New York?+

PTO payouts are supplemental wages: 22% federal withholding, an estimated 10.9% New York supplemental rate, and 7.65% FICA.