Payroll Records Definition

Payroll records are the documents regarding an employee’s hours worked, salary, and associated information kept on file by the employer.

Extended Definition
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that employers maintain payroll records for at least three years. These records are accessible by both the employer and the employee (upon request).

Examples of payroll records include:

• Tax withholding forms (e.g., Form W-4)
• Time cards
• Time-off history
• Pay rate
• Pay stubs
• Benefit and deduction information
• Raise documentation

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Last Updated By

Rachel Blakely-Gray | Apr 28, 2023