Tennessee Final Paycheck Law & Calculator
Add your unpaid Tennessee wages and accrued PTO to estimate your last-day total after tax.
$3,750.00
Gross final paycheck
Est. taxes: ~$1,111.88 (29.7%)
$2,638.12
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 Tennessee
Under the Tennessee Wage Regulation Act (T.C.A. Section 50-2-103), final wages must be paid on or before the next regularly scheduled payday or within 21 days of separation, whichever is later, regardless of whether the employee resigned or was discharged. Failure to pay wages on time constitutes a wage violation that can be filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards. Late wage payments can trigger administrative fines and civil penalties under state labor regulations.
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 allowed in Tennessee, and the window to claim unpaid final wages runs for 6 years. This calculator pre-selects Tennessee so the state tax estimate is built in.
For the governing statute (reference: Tenn. Code § 50-2-103) and a full PTO breakdown, see the Tennessee PTO payout guide and final paycheck rules by state.
When is your final paycheck due in Tennessee?
| Situation | Final paycheck deadline |
|---|---|
| If you are fired or laid off | Next scheduled payday or within 21 days, whichever is later |
| If you quit | Next scheduled payday or within 21 days, whichever is later |
This deadline applies to your whole final paycheck, including any accrued PTO Tennessee requires to be paid. Late or missing final pay can entitle you to penalties or interest \u2014 file an unpaid-wage claim with the Tennessee Division of Labor Standards. Deadlines change with legislation, so confirm the current rule before acting.
Official Tennessee 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: Tennessee Division of Labor Standards
- Phone Support: (844) 224-5818
- Official Website: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/
Frequently asked questions
When is my final paycheck due in Tennessee? +
If your employment ends in Tennessee, your final paycheck — including any owed PTO — is due as follows. If you are fired or laid off: Next scheduled payday or within 21 days, whichever is later. If you quit: Next scheduled payday or within 21 days, whichever is later. Deadlines can change, so confirm the current rule with the state labor department.
Is PTO included in a final paycheck in Tennessee? +
Tennessee has no law requiring PTO payout, so its inclusion depends entirely on company policy. Reference: Tenn. Code § 50-2-103.
How is my final paycheck taxed in Tennessee? +
Regular wages are withheld at your normal rate; the PTO portion is a supplemental wage withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, no state income tax, and 7.65% FICA.
How long do I have to claim unpaid final wages in Tennessee? +
The statute of limitations for unpaid-wage claims in Tennessee is 6 years. File a claim with the state labor department if your final check is missing or wrong.