Texas Final Paycheck Law & Calculator
Add your unpaid Texas 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.
Texas Payday Law & Forfeiture Guidelines
Under the Texas Payday Law administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), final wages must be paid within 6 calendar days of discharge (fired or laid off) or by the next regularly scheduled payday if the employee quits or resigns. Texas law does not mandate a payout of accrued vacation or PTO at separation. Instead, employer-governed policies, employee handbooks, or written agreements dictate whether unused time off is paid out or forfeited. Use-it-or-lose-it policies are fully enforceable in Texas.
Final pay and PTO in Texas
Under the Texas Payday Law (Texas Labor Code Section 61.014), final pay deadlines differ based on the separation type: if an employee is discharged, fired, or laid off, their final wages must be paid within 6 calendar days. If an employee resigns, quits, or retires, the final paycheck is due on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. Employees who do not receive their wages on time can file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) within 180 days of the due date.
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 Texas, and the window to claim unpaid final wages runs for 2 years. This calculator pre-selects Texas so the state tax estimate is built in.
For the governing statute (reference: Tex. Lab. Code § 61) and a full PTO breakdown, see the Texas PTO payout guide and final paycheck rules by state. For more details, check out our in-depth article on the Texas PTO Payout Law.
When is your final paycheck due in Texas?
| Situation | Final paycheck deadline |
|---|---|
| If you are fired or laid off | Within 6 days |
| If you quit | Next payday |
This deadline applies to your whole final paycheck, including any accrued PTO Texas requires to be paid. Late or missing final pay can entitle you to penalties or interest \u2014 file an unpaid-wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission. Deadlines change with legislation, so confirm the current rule before acting.
Official Texas 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: Texas Workforce Commission
- Phone Support: (800) 832-9243
- Official Website: https://www.twc.texas.gov/
Frequently asked questions
When is my final paycheck due in Texas? +
If your employment ends in Texas, your final paycheck — including any owed PTO — is due as follows. If you are fired or laid off: Within 6 days. If you quit: Next payday. Deadlines can change, so confirm the current rule with the state labor department.
Is PTO included in a final paycheck in Texas? +
Texas has no law requiring PTO payout, so its inclusion depends entirely on company policy. Reference: Tex. Lab. Code § 61.
How is my final paycheck taxed in Texas? +
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 Texas? +
The statute of limitations for unpaid-wage claims in Texas is 2 years. File a claim with the state labor department if your final check is missing or wrong.