What is a payroll report?

A payroll report is an essential tool used by employers, HR professionals, and business owners to document and analyze payroll-related information. These reports provide a breakdown of all payments made to employees, including salaries, wages, bonuses, as well as deductions for taxes, benefits, and other withholdings.

Payroll reports can be generated on various timeframes, such as weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the organization’s needs.

Payroll report example

For each employee, a payroll report example might include the following sections:

Employee information. Details such as employee names, job titles, and identification numbers.
Gross pay. The total earnings of each employee before any deductions, including regular wages, overtime, bonuses, and commissions.
Deductions. The amounts withheld from each employee’s gross pay for taxes, benefits, retirement contributions, and other withholdings.
Net pay. The amount each employee receives after all deductions are made, also known as take-home pay.
Employer contributions. Information on employer-paid taxes (e.g., Social Security, Medicare) and contributions to employee benefits (e.g., health insurance, retirement plans).
Payroll taxes. Detailed information on national and local taxes withheld from employee paychecks.

Payroll reports offer transparency into your company’s payroll processes, fostering trust among employees and stakeholders. They also prepare your business effectively for any audits by providing a clear and organized record of all payroll transactions.