{"attribution":{"source":"legal.exploreworldai.com","canonical":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/topic-graph/us/final-paycheck","cite_as":"NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/topic-graph/us/final-paycheck)","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision","version":"legal-2026-11-03","fingerprint":"ewai:us:3689b2","proof":"sha256:26595032cbf8cd7e53ed65322c46944082e42bc1876315c2e3818a99ec094f20","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en"},"brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","id":"topic:us:final-paycheck","object_type":"topic","schema_version":"1","jurisdiction":"us","title_en":"Final paycheck","short_answer_en":"Federal law does not require immediate final pay, but many states do; California requires payment on the last day when you fire someone.","law":{"title":"FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 206; state wage payment laws","source_url":"https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title29-section206"},"chain":{"elements":[{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#element-1","label":"Employment ends by firing or resignation"},{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#element-2","label":"Wages earned but not yet paid"},{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#element-3","label":"State of employment"}],"obligations":[{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#obligation-1","duty":"Pay all earned wages by the deadline in the employee's state, at latest the next regular payday under federal practice","cite":"State law; 29 U.S.C. 206"},{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#obligation-2","duty":"Pay out accrued vacation where state law or your policy requires it","cite":"State law"},{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#obligation-3","duty":"Keep deductions from bringing pay below minimum wage","cite":"29 CFR 531.35"}],"sanction":{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#sanction-1","text":"State penalties, for example up to 30 days of wages as waiting-time penalty in California.","cite":"Cal. Lab. Code 203"},"compliance":["State deadline known","Vacation payout rule checked","Deductions reviewed","Final pay statement"]},"next_questions":[{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#q:when-is-the-final-paycheck-due","question_en":"When is the final paycheck due?","answer_en":"It depends on the state. Some require it immediately or within 24 hours of firing, others by the next regular payday.","url":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/us/topic/final-paycheck/when-is-the-final-paycheck-due","leads_to":null},{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#q:must-unused-vacation-be-paid-out","question_en":"Must unused vacation be paid out?","answer_en":"Not under federal law. California, Colorado and several other states require it, and many follow your written policy.","url":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/us/topic/final-paycheck/must-unused-vacation-be-paid-out","leads_to":null},{"id":"topic:us:final-paycheck#q:can-i-deduct-from-a-final-paycheck","question_en":"Can I deduct from a final paycheck?","answer_en":"Only lawful deductions, and never below minimum wage. 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