Steps to Determine Missing Pay Verification Amounts

Occasionally, a pay stub or other income verification document may be missing. Whenever possible, attempt to obtain the missing document directly from the client or employer. However, when the document cannot be obtained, the missing pay amount can often be determined by using Year-to-Date (YTD) earnings and a simple mathematical process.

Step 1: Organize the Pay Stubs

Start with the most recent pay stub and list the remaining pay stubs in order from newest to oldest. Include the missing pay period in the sequence.

Step 2: Determine the Missing YTD Amount

Take the YTD amount from the pay stub immediately following the missing pay period and subtract that pay stub’s gross earnings.

Example Calculation

$1,794.57 (YTD for 4/17/2023 check)
Subtract $210.67 (Gross Pay for 4/10/2023 check)
Equals $1,583.90

The result, $1,583.90, is the estimated YTD amount for the missing 4/10/2023 pay stub.

Step 3: Determine the Missing Gross Pay

Subtract the next (older) Year-to-Date figure from this missing check Year-to-Date figure to obtain the missing pay amount.

Example Calculation

$1,583.90 (YTD for 4/10/2023 missing check)
Subtract $1,337.29 (YTD for 4/3/2023 check before the missing check)
Equals $246.61

The estimated gross pay for the missing 4/10/2023 pay stub is $246.61.

Step 4: Verify the Amount is Representative

Always review the calculated amount to determine whether it appears reasonable and representative of the employee’s normal earnings.

In this example, the estimated gross pay of $246.61 is consistent with the surrounding pay amounts and appears representative.

Additional Things to Consider

Whenever possible, obtain the actual missing pay documentation.

This method works best when only one pay period is missing.

Multiple missing pay periods between known dates may result in inaccurate calculations.

Review surrounding pay periods for unusual earnings, overtime, bonuses, or reduced hours before using the estimated amount in income calculations.

Document how the missing pay amount was determined and why the estimate was considered representative.

Access Missing Pay Stub Calculator