What Is The Difference Between A Payday, Pay Cycle, And Pay Period?

By James Wilson

Jul. 18, 2018

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There are many advantages to paying yourself a paycheck out of your small business. Whether you're learning how to handle your own payroll, or you've hired a few employees, it's important to understand basic paycheck terminology.
One of the most confusing topics is the difference between a payday, pay cycle, and pay period. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they are very different. Read on to learn more.

Also read: How To Calculate Take Home Pay Correctly

Payday

Payday is typically your employee's favorite day, as this is when paychecks are regularly issued. This date is also known as the check date since it's the date reflected on the paycheck. The check date is important because it determines the due dates for payroll deposits and tax filings.
If you've issued even a single paycheck, you're responsible for meeting the required deadlines. In general, you must pay Federal and State taxes monthly, while FUTA is paid on a quarterly basis. Failure to make payments on time will result in penalties that you would be better off avoiding.

Pay Cycle

Pay Cycle refers to the frequency that a business pays its employees. This could be weekly, biweekly, monthly, or any other time period the business chooses. Companies often determine the pay cycle based on criteria like:

Business model
Employee satisfaction
Convenience

Although the business has the ability to determine the pay cycle, it should be consistent for the individual employee. Pay cycles typically determine the paycheck date, but otherwise have no impact on payroll calculations or deadlines. The pay cycle isn't reported on any official documents.

Also read: How To Approach Tax Season As A 1099 Employee

Pay Period

The period of time that the employee performed work is the pay period. For example, if an employee worked from June 1st to the 15th, that stretch of time is the pay period. If the check is issued on the 16th, this is the payday.
Weekly pay periods generate approximately 52 paychecks per year. Biweekly, semi-monthly, and monthly pay periods generate 26, 24, and 12 paychecks per year, respectively.

Employee paystubs include details like the number of hours worked during the pay period, hourly pay rate, taxes withheld, and other deductions. Employees on salary are paid based on an annual amount, divided by the specified number of pay periods. It doesn't matter how often the salaried employee is paid, as long as the employee receives the full salary amount each year.

Note that although Federal laws don't regulate pay periods, some state laws do. You should check with your State Department of Labor to determine whether you're subject to regulations.

Also read: The Pros And Cons Of Contract Jobs

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Also read: 3 Signs It's Time To Switch Pay Stub Generators

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an employer can change the pay cycle, but they must provide proper notice to employees and ensure compliance with any applicable labor laws and regulations.

No, these terms have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. They are related, but each has a specific role in the payroll process.

No, companies can choose their own paydays based on their preferences and payroll processing schedules. Some companies may have the same payday, but it is not a universal standard.

These three terms are related to the process of paying employees for their work. The pay period defines the time frame an employee works, the pay cycle determines how often they are paid, and the payday is the day they receive their earnings.

To determine your pay period, check your pay stub, employee handbook, or consult your HR department. Your pay period will be defined by a start and end date that corresponds to the work you are paid for on your payday.

The pay cycle determines the frequency of paychecks and the amount received. A shorter pay cycle, like weekly, results in smaller, more frequent paychecks, while a longer pay cycle, like monthly, results in larger, less frequent paychecks.

A pay cycle refers to the recurring schedule that an employer uses to process and distribute payroll. Common pay cycles include weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly.

A pay period is the length of time during which an employee works and accumulates earnings. It is the time frame between the start and end date of the work for which the employee is paid on a payday.

A payday is the specific day on which an employer distributes wages or salaries to the employees. It is the day when employees receive their pay for the work done during a pay period.

The most common pay cycles are bi-weekly (every two weeks) and semi-monthly (twice a month). The choice of pay cycle depends on the employer's preference and industry practices.

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