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It is possible to overdraft a savings account, which is when your balance drops below zero. This could happen if you forgot to deposit a check into the account and then transferred funds out, for instance. Or maybe you moved more money out of the savings account into your checking than you actually had. These and other glitches can leave you with a negative balance in your savings.

Consequences of Overdrawing a Savings Account

An overdraft occurs when there is a withdrawal from your account that results in the balance being below zero — sometimes called a negative balance. There are several ways this can happen. Maybe an automatic withdrawal was processed or you wrote a check against your savings account and you didn’t have enough in the account to cover the transaction.

When the negative balance kicks in, a couple of different things could happen next. Much depends on your particular financial institution and the terms you agreed to when you opened the savings account.

Among the possibilities:

•   You may be charged an overdraft fee: If you signed an agreement to opt into overdraft coverage, your financial institution will allow you to overdraft on your account, typically for a fee. (That is, they will authorize the transaction and allow for it to be completed, extending you a loan.) The amount of the fee will differ depending on your account and your bank. Some financial institutions may even charge you every day and/or for additional withdrawals while your account has a negative balance. Considering that the average overdraft fee is about $35, this cost can really add up.

•   Your transaction is declined: Your financial institution may decline the transaction if you don’t have overdraft protection. In this case, the transaction won’t go through. In addition, you could face a non-sufficient funds fee, or NSF fee. In many cases this amount is similar to an overdraft fee.

•   You have a linked account, and the linked account is used to cover the cost. This usually happens when you overdraw a checking account, and a linked savings account covers the difference. However, you may be able to link your savings account to another account (typically at the same financial institution) as a backup. If an account goes down to zero or below, then money would be withdrawn from the backup account to complete the transaction. In many cases, this service is free, though that depends on your bank.

Understanding Overdraft Protection and Fees

Financial institutions offer overdraft protection programs to help ensure your transactions proceed smoothly in case you reach a negative balance. These programs vary somewhat. Options may include linking a checking and savings account together — funds will be transferred automatically for the negative balance. Or the bank might allow the transaction to go through, and you’ll be charged a fee until you make up for the difference.

Federal regulations require banks to allow account holders to opt into overdraft protection for ATM and debit cards for point-of-sale transactions (or purchases). If you don’t opt in, you won’t be able to overdraft — your bank will deny the transaction. In this case, you won’t be charged any bank fees. However, this may not apply to recurring payments, bank transfers, or checks.

As we mentioned, your financial institution may charge you a fee for each transaction that involves overdraft protection, though banks typically have a maximum amount they’ll charge per day. For example, if you transferred $1,200 for your rent payment out of your savings, and you only had $1,000 in your account, you’ll have a negative balance. This results in a $200 overdraft (if you have coverage), plus you’ll pay about a $35 overdraft fee. If you don’t get paid until a week later to make up the difference, your account will continue to have a negative balance. Let’s say your bank ends up charging you a daily fee which adds up to an extra $10 for that week (this is just an example — it depends on the bank), totaling $45 in fees. And even if your bank denies the transaction, you may still have to pay the NSF fee, which could be about $35.

As you can see, overdrafting on your savings account can get expensive. That’s why it’s a smart idea to rectify the situation as soon as possible and prevent it from happening in the future.

Steps if You Have Overdrawn on Your Account

If you’ve overdrawn on your savings account, here’s how to get out of the negative-balance zone.

•  Deposit funds: Once you’ve overdrafted, make a deposit into that account as soon as possible. Doing so can prevent you from being hit with multiple overdraft fees, especially if you know you need to make more withdrawals in the next day or so.

•  Ask to have the fee waived: If this is the first time you’ve had a negative balance, you can contact your financial institution to request to have the fee waived. If you’ve been a loyal customer and have remained in good standing with your accounts up until now, the bank may not charge you.

•  Pay the overdraft fee: If your bank rejects your request to have the fee waived, it’s best to pay it as soon as possible. You can typically do that by making a deposit into the overdrawn account. While your bank likely won’t take drastic measures like closing your account, be aware that letting a bank account sit with a negative balance could wind up hurting your credit score if the matter gets sent to a collection agency.

•  Settle payment with the payee: If your payment didn’t go through, then you’ll need to contact the person or company you owe and make arrangements for alternative payment. Depending on the type of payment, you could face a late or returned payment fee, which you’ll also need to pay.

Tips for Avoiding Overdraft Fees

There are ways to avoid overdraft fees. Here are some methods that can help.

1. Sign Up for Text or Email Alerts for Low Balance

Many banks allow you to sign up for email or text alerts when your savings account reaches a certain threshold. By doing so, you have time to deposit additional funds so you won’t risk your bank account going to zero or a negative balance.

2. Check Your Bank Account Regularly and Review Statements

Logging into your bank account online or through your banking app allows you to quickly see your balance and any upcoming transactions. By keeping on top of your account, you’ll typically be able to see if you’ll need to have more funds on hand, and you’ll have time to make those deposits. You may find that checking your account balances a few times a week is a helpful habit.

3. Review and Compare Automatic Payment Dates to Withdraw Dates

Looking at when money actually gets withdrawn from your account will help you plan better. For instance, if you know you’ll have a few withdrawals totaling $600 on the 15th of each month, you can plan to make sure you have that much in the account then. (Having a buffer is nice, too, if you can swing it.)

4. Revisit Your Budget

Reviewing your budget occasionally will help you see whether you’re overspending in certain areas. If so, working to cut back on expenses can prevent overdrafts. This is especially important during times when basic living expenses can creep up and require budget recalibration.

5. Build an Emergency Fund

You’ve probably heard the advice that it’s wise to have a rainy-day fund with enough cash in it to cover a few or several months’ worth of expenses. Having this kind of buffer will help when unexpected circumstances arise. These situations could range from a big medical bill to your laptop dying to being laid off. Aim to keep your emergency fund in a separate account, far from your everyday accounts, so you’re not tempted to spend it.

6. Consider Overdraft Protection and Coverage

Check into what your financial institution offers in terms of overdraft protection or coverage, and see if it makes sense for you. This may involve opening what is essentially a line of credit, so proceed carefully and find out what it will cost you. Make sure you understand what your responsibilities are, including fees and when a withdrawal from a linked account may occur.

The Takeaway

Overdrafting on your savings account can happen, and it can result in fees. There are several smart tactics that you can use to avoid this scenario — and ways to cope if your balance does wind up in negative territory. Planning ahead for these kinds of money-crunch situations is a wise idea as life is full of unexpected expenses.

Choosing a bank account that covers you for a certain amount of overdrafts and/or one low to no monthly or minimum-balance account fees is another option you may want to explore as part of your money management strategy.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Can I overdraft my savings account at the ATM?

It depends on whether or not you have opted into overdraft coverage. Banks are required to allow account holders to opt into overdraft protection for ATM and debit cards for point-of-sale transactions . If you don’t opt in, you won’t be able to overdraft. Your bank will deny the transaction and you won’t be charged a fee. If you do opt in, the bank will allow the transaction and charge you an overdraft fee, which is typically about $35.

Can you go negative in a savings account?

Yes, you can go negative in a savings account. This might happen if you write a check for more than you have in the savings account, for instance. If the bank allows the transaction to go through, you end up with a negative balance in your savings account. In this case, if you’ve signed up for your bank’s overdraft coverage, you will be charged an overdraft fee, which is typically around $35. You may owe additional fees as well if you don’t put money into the account right away.

About the author

Sarah Li Cain

Sarah Li Cain, AFC is a finance and small business writer with over a decade of experience. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Kiplinger, Fortune, CNBC Select, U.S. News & World Report, and Redbook. Read full bio.

You may also be interested in:

Do You Need Overdraft Protection?

Avoiding Overdraft Fees: Top 10 Practical Tips

Can You Overdraft With a Debit Card?

Photo credit: iStock/damircudic

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

3.30% APY
Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

SOBK-Q224-1902144-V1

When it comes to conducting transactions with your bank account, one of the most popular types is using ACH transfers, but they can come with limits, albeit fairly high ones. ACH payments are electronic bank transfers that quickly and conveniently process regular payments such as mortgages, utilities, loans, and tax payments. They can also be used for one-time payments as well.

Nacha, the organization that oversees the ACH network, raised the limit for same-day incoming and outcoming consumer and business transfer to $1 million in March 2022. That, however, does not necessarily mean that limit applies to your particular financial institution. Knowing the full story on ACH transfer limits can help to make sure all your transactions go through smoothly and avoid any potential hiccups.

How ACH Transfers Work

First, a little more about ACH, which stands for Automated Clearing House. ACH transfers are an electronic transfer system that allows individuals or businesses to transfer money from one financial institution. This network is one of the main ways to send and receive money. Did you sign up for autopay on your utilities bill? ACH transfers will make it happen. Do you receive your paycheck by direct deposit? That’s also an ACH transfer.

Other types of transactions include direct ACH debits, electronic funds transfers (EFTs), electronic checks (eChecks), and direct payments. Aside from banks, third-party apps, such as PayPal, which allow you to pay friends without cash, also use the ACH network.

In most cases, ACH payments, which are only for U.S. transactions, are usually faster than other types of transactions — if there’s enough money in the account, an ACH incoming transfer is usually cleared within one to several days. A few instances where it could take longer is during holidays or if the network suspects the transaction is potentially fraudulent. Debits are typically processed on a next-day basis. (If you need a super-fast transfer, look into how ACH vs. wire transfers stack up.)

There are often daily ACH limits as well as ACH period limits — as in, there may be daily or monthly limits, depending on your financial institution.

Incoming ACH Transfer Limits

According to the National Automated Clearing House Association (Nacha), which manages ACH payments, ACH limits can be as high as $1,000,000 per day, up from $100,000 previously.

However, ACH transfer limits for your checking account or savings account may be considerably lower. For clients of Chase bank, for example, the same-day limit is $25,000 for standard accounts and $100,000 for premium or private client accounts.

This means it can be crucial to check with your bank about their policies. By knowing your limits, you can troubleshoot before you wind up in a “Where’s my money?” situation.

Outgoing ACH Transfer Limits

Depending on your financial institution, your outgoing ACH transfer limit may be much lower than what NACHA imposes. Understanding the ACH outgoing transfer limit is important because you want to ensure your transactions go smoothly.

If you have multiple transactions set up regularly to send money, you’ll want them all to go through and not run the risk of payments being held up and late fees accruing.

ACH Transfer Limits at Top US Banks

The following ACH transfer limits and its associated fees are from the six biggest traditional banks, plus SoFi.

As you can see above, a few of the banks have varying daily and monthly ACH transfer limits. Some of these depend on the type of account you have and your relationship with the bank. For instance, those who have more premium accounts (such as ones that require higher balance minimum requirements) may have higher ACH transfer limits, though it’s not always the case.

Also, business accounts may have different and/or higher limits than personal bank accounts. ACH transfers can be conducted with both brick-and-mortar and secure online bank accounts.

ACH Transfer Penalties

While ACH transfers are a convenient way to conduct bank transactions, there are some limitations you need to be aware of.

Cutoff Times

ACH transfers can be conducted on a same-day or somewhat slower basis. For same-day, transfers must usually be submitted by 4:45 pm ET. Some banks may set earlier deadlines, such as 12:30 ET.

In general, though, ACH transfers can take a bit longer than same-day, and it’s worth taking into account the day of the week. If you submit a transfer at 5:03 pm on a Friday, it may not get moving until the following Monday, which could count as a late payment.

So, if you’re making a transfer from your checking or savings account and want it to arrive as soon as possible, it’s best to initiate the transfer earlier in the day. And keep these timing issues in mind if you are tracking an ACH payment, whether incoming or outgoing.

Insufficient Funds Penalty Fee

Many financial institutions won’t charge you for an ACH transfer, but they may charge you a fee if you don’t have enough money in your account. This penalty is typically called the insufficient funds fee, and the amount varies from bank to bank.

No International Transfers

In most cases, ACH transfers aren’t available to send money to another account internationally. If you want to send money overseas from your bank, you’ll have to do so via a wire transfer. You’ll likely be charged a fee for the service, often between $35 and $50.

Recommended: Understanding ACH Fees

The Takeaway

ACH transfers are an important part of modern banking, whisking funds from account to account. This process enables direct deposit, automatic bill-pay, P2P platforms, and more. However, these transactions may come with dollar and timing limits, as well as fees. Each financial institution will have different rules and guidelines as to how you can conduct ACH transfers. Reading the fine print on your account agreement or checking in with customer support can save you time, money, and headaches.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Which bank has the highest ACH transfer limit?

As of press time, SoFi, Chase, Capital One, and Citi have the highest ACH transfer limits. However, these higher limits may only be available for those who have certain types of bank accounts or have been a long-time customer with these financial institutions.

Are ACH transfers reported to the IRS?

The IRS doesn’t count ACH transfers as cash, so they are not reported.

What is the maximum amount you can transfer from bank to bank?

The maximum amount you’ll be able to transfer between banks will depend on various factors, such as how much you have in your account, ACH transfer limits for your financial institution, and how much the receiving bank is allowed to receive. Nacha recently raised the maximum possible to $1,000,000, but again, that will not be available to every banking customer.

Which bank is good for ACH?

All financial institutions should be able to initiate and receive ACH transactions. The differences involve limits, processing time, and possible fees. It’s worth checking at specific banks to understand their guidelines if you plan on using ACH transfers.

About the author

Sarah Li Cain

Sarah Li Cain, AFC is a finance and small business writer with over a decade of experience. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Kiplinger, Fortune, CNBC Select, U.S. News & World Report, and Redbook. Read full bio.

You may also be interested in:

What Is an ACH Payment and How Does It Work?

What Is ACH Debit and How Does It Work?

Guide to ACH Routing Numbers

Photo credit: iStock/AleksandarNakic

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

SOBK-Q224-1902100-V1

Payroll deductions are amounts of money that are taken out of your gross pay, leaving you with net (or take-home) pay. Common types of payroll deductions include taxes, retirement savings, and Social Security contributions, among others. However, it can be confusing (and sometimes a little discouraging) to see how much money comes out before you have cash in hand.

Here, take a closer look at the deductions that are required by law and are out of your control, as well as others that are part of your employee benefits package, which means that you may be able to adjust them. This paycheck breakdown can help you understand more about where your money goes so you can manage it better.

What is Net Pay?

Whether you’re paid hourly or by salary, your rate of pay is the compensation that you and your employer agreed upon when you accepted the job. That said, it’s typically expressed as your annual salary for full-time employees.

This number appears in official contracts and is referred to as your gross pay. However, it does not represent the actual amount that you will be paid.

Net pay, also referred to as take-home pay, is the compensation that is paid out via check or direct deposit to an employee. It is your gross pay with all the deductions taken out, which can make you think, “Wait, where’d my money go?” when it hits your checking account.

What Are Payroll Deductions?

So, to answer that question: Here’s where your money goes before it lands in your checking account:

•   Mandatory deductions: By law, an employer must subtract various mandatory federal and state tax withholdings.

•   Elective deductions: Employers will also subtract costs for employer-sponsored offerings that the employee takes part in, such as healthcare, life insurance, and retirement.

Whether required or optional, these are pulled out of your gross pay and applied where needed. While you may feel disappointed to see these funds siphoned off, they have an upside. They are saving you from owing major taxes come April 15, and they are potentially helping provide important elements of financial fitness, like saving for your future. This knowledge can be reassuring, especially if you are filing taxes for the first time, and are feeling a bit shocked about the difference between your gross and net pay on an annual basis.

How Do Payroll Deductions Work?

As mentioned above, payroll deductions may be required, such as federal or any state taxes, or they may be optional (say, a 401(k) plan or health insurance). The mandatory and elective deductions are subtracted from your paycheck’s gross pay amount.

What remains after these payroll deductions is your net pay. This is the amount that is paid to you. You can typically see a breakdown of exactly what has been subtracted from your compensation by looking at your paystub. If you are paid via direct deposit, you will likely find this information online at your employer’s portal. If you receive a paper paycheck, the paystub is often attached.

Types of Payroll Deductions

As you look at your paystub and see all the deductions that are being taken out of your gross pay, you may want a bit of help understanding what’s what. Below are explanations of some of the most common paycheck deductions:

Federal Taxes

Federal taxes include all the taxes you are required by law to pay to the federal government. These taxes (which are often referred to as being withheld vs. paid) help fund the federal government, allowing them to invest in things such as infrastructure, education, and national defense, and provide services to the American people.

It’s common to wonder what tax withholding is and how much must you allocate towards it. When you were first hired, you likely filled out an Employee’s Withholding Certificate or W-4 form form and claimed the number of tax exemptions you have. This amount tells the federal government how much money to take out of each paycheck to cover your taxes. The more allowances you take, the less federal income tax the government will take out of your paycheck.

One way to ensure that you have the right amount of tax withheld for each pay period is to use the Internal Revenue Service’s IRS Tax Withholding Estimator or speak with someone in your company’s HR department. You can tell them if you’re single or married, how many dependents you have, and if you have any other sources of income, and they should be able to help you fill out your form accurately.

It’s also a good practice to revisit your IRS Form W-4 selections annually as significant life events may change your withholding and also because the W-4 form is periodically updated. It can be wise to think about your exemptions regularly

During tax season of each year, individuals who have overpaid in federal taxes receive a refund from the government. Those who’ve underpaid, however, are required to pay additional funds and possibly a penalty.

State and Local Income Taxes

There are other types of taxes that will possibly be withheld from your gross pay. Many states require a state tax to help fund government projects and services. To learn more about your state’s taxation policy, you can look at this map for details.

Just as with federal taxes, your state income tax will get deducted from your paycheck to cover taxes you may owe at the end of the year.

Social Security and Medicare

Another common paycheck deduction you’ll see: Social Security and Medicare taxes that are part of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax, a group of payroll taxes collected from both the employer and the employee. As the name implies, these taxes fund our nation’s Social Security and Medicare programs, helping with income and insurance needs once you reach retirement age.

The tax rate for social security is currently 6.2%, and Medicare receives an additional 1.45% (employers match these tax rates, bringing the total of FICA tax contributions to 15.3%).

Wage Garnishments

Another possible payroll deduction to know about: wage garnishments. These are legal procedures designed to repay delinquent, outstanding debts, such as unpaid child support, overdue credit card payments, or even unpaid taxes.

Most wage garnishments are initiated by court order. However, the IRS and other tax collection agencies also levy for unpaid taxes in the form of wage garnishment.

Garnishments are made on earnings leftover after all legally required deductions are made. The actual amount of any garnishment will depend on the amount of debt owed and income earned.

Employee Benefits

Depending on where you work, you may be able to opt into a variety of benefits. Typically, these costs are automatically deducted from your paycheck.

If you sign up for your employer-provided health insurance, at least some of the cost is likely to be a type of paycheck deduction.

Under the Affordable Care Act, employers with 50 employees or more must offer affordable health insurance. As part of an employee’s compensation package, many companies will pay half, or another percentage, of the insurance premiums. The employee’s portion of those premiums is represented on a pay stub as a deduction.

Other benefits, like flexible spending plans, commuter plans, and life insurance, may also be deducted from your pay, depending on whether or not you opt into them and if your employer picks up the bill fully or partially.

Health insurance and other benefits typically come out before your taxes, and you may be able to reduce your taxable income by signing up for them.

Retirement Contributions

Employee 401(k) savings plans are a common benefit offered in the workforce.

If you opt into this benefit, your employer will deduct funds from your wage earnings and deposit them into a retirement account. (How much of your paycheck should you save? Experts often recommend 20% should go towards saving for retirement and other short- and long-term goals.)

Employees are typically able to choose the amount they would like deducted from their earnings for retirement savings. In some cases, employers may contribute an additional percentage of your salary into your retirement account.

Contributions to your 401(k) can not only help you save for the future but also lower your taxable income, since they come out of your paycheck before taxes get assessed.

You’ll want to keep in mind, however, that there are yearly retirement plan contribution limits set by the federal government through the IRS.

Other Common Payroll Deductions

Depending on your workplace and career, other payroll deductions are possible. Among the ones you may find are:

•   Charitable giving plans

•   Payment for job-required items, such as tools or uniforms

•   Union dues

•   Professional certification or tuition fee deductions

Examples of Payroll Deductions

You’ve learned details about many types of payroll deductions above. In list form, examples of payroll deductions include:

•   Federal income tax

•   State and local income taxes

•   Social Security and Medicare taxes

•   Wage garnishments

•   Employee benefits

•   Retirement contributions

Steps to Calculate Payroll Deductions

Calculating payroll deductions is typically something done by employers, not employees. Here’s a quick overview of how the process typically works:

1.    Obtain a W-4 from employees indicating their withholding.

2.    Determine employees’ gross earnings, whether salary pay or hourly.

3.    Calculate any overtime for those employees who are not exempt and worked over 40 hours a week.

4.    Take any pre-tax deductions.

5.    Calculate and deduct federal income tax based on pay, withholding status, what tax bracket an employee is in, and other factors.

6.    Determine and deduct Social Security and Medicare payments.

7.    Calculate and deduct any state and local taxes.

8.    Take any other deductions, and move funds to the appropriate entity.

Tips to Manage Payroll Deductions

If you are an employee seeking to tweak your deductions, you will have a few options. You might update your W-4 to reflect more or fewer exemptions, depending on whether you want to reduce or increase the taxes withheld.

In addition, if you could use some breathing room in your budget during a financial crunch, you might decrease retirement contributions a notch to free up a little more money for bills.

If you are in a position to be managing payroll deductions, consider these tips for making the process run smoothly:

•   Develop organizational systems to manage forms, deadlines, and other aspects of the process. There are many digital and online tools you can use for this.

•   Keep up to date with federal, state, and local tax laws to make sure you are deducting the proper amounts; know the guidelines about, say, equal pay provisions; and more.

•   Automate the entire process with payroll software. This can save time and boost accuracy versus doing things by hand. Or consider outsourcing the responsibilities to an external agency.

•   Regularly update training for payroll and HR teams, if you employ them.

•   Don’t touch payroll taxes that are only paid quarterly. It may be tempting to dip into those funds before they are due and use them for other business expenses, but this is a very risky path to pursue. If you wind up being short when the taxes must be paid, you could face penalties.

Recommended: 50/30/20 Budget Calculator

The Takeaway

While you may be surprised to see all the deductions coming out of your paycheck, once you know what number to expect to see landing in your bank account each pay period, you’ll be able to plan your spending and budget accordingly. Deductions can include those you can’t change, such as taxes, and those that you may be able to alter, such as retirement contributions.

It’s a good idea to check your pay stubs periodically to ensure that the deductions being taken out are accurate and align with your financial goals.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

What are some common incorrect payroll deductions?

Examples of incorrect employee payroll deductions are expenses that have to do with running the business, workers’ compensation premiums, and some personal protective gear costs. In addition, payroll deductions should not bring an employee’s income below minimum wage.

How do I report payroll deductions?

If you are an employee, your payroll deductions will be reflected in the end-of-year W-2 form that you receive. If you are an employer, you are likely filing IRS Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, or Form 944, Employer’s Annual Federal Tax Return, which shows the wages you’ve paid and various taxes withheld.

Recommended: IRS Form 941 Explained

What are the pros and cons of payroll deductions?

Payroll deductions are a fact of life. On the plus side, they whisk away taxes regularly so you don’t face a huge tax bill come April 15, and the money paid in taxes can help quality of life in America. Also, deductions like health insurance and retirement savings go towards achieving financial security. The main con, of course, is that you take home less pay than your gross earnings and may need to budget wisely to balance your spending and saving.

What are the categories of payroll deductions?

The main categories of payroll deductions are federal, state, and local taxes; Social Security and Medicare; employee benefits; and retirement contributions.

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

^Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.