Washington Final Paycheck Law & Calculator
Add your unpaid Washington 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 Washington
Under the Washington Wage Payment Act (RCW Section 49.48.010), employers must pay final wages to departing employees on or before the end of the next regularly scheduled pay period, regardless of whether they resigned or were discharged. Failure to pay final wages on time constitutes a wage payment violation that can be filed with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Late payments can trigger statutory interest, double damages for willful withholding, and attorney fees.
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 Washington, and the window to claim unpaid final wages runs for 3 years. This calculator pre-selects Washington so the state tax estimate is built in.
For the governing statute (reference: Wash. Rev. Code § 49.48) and a full PTO breakdown, see the Washington PTO payout guide and final paycheck rules by state.
When is your final paycheck due in Washington?
| Situation | Final paycheck deadline |
|---|---|
| If you are fired or laid off | End of the next pay period |
| If you quit | End of the next pay period |
This deadline applies to your whole final paycheck, including any accrued PTO Washington requires to be paid. Late or missing final pay can entitle you to penalties or interest \u2014 file an unpaid-wage claim with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Deadlines change with legislation, so confirm the current rule before acting.
Official Washington 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: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
- Phone Support: (360) 902-5800
- Official Website: https://www.lni.wa.gov/
Frequently asked questions
When is my final paycheck due in Washington? +
If your employment ends in Washington, your final paycheck — including any owed PTO — is due as follows. If you are fired or laid off: End of the next pay period. If you quit: End of the next pay period. Deadlines can change, so confirm the current rule with the state labor department.
Is PTO included in a final paycheck in Washington? +
In Washington, whether unused PTO is included depends on your employer's written policy. Reference: Wash. Rev. Code § 49.48.
How is my final paycheck taxed in Washington? +
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 Washington? +
The statute of limitations for unpaid-wage claims in Washington is 3 years. File a claim with the state labor department if your final check is missing or wrong.