Why checking a payslip matters
A payslip is the fastest record for checking whether payroll read the month correctly. It is also useful for tax records, loan applications and comparisons between an ordinary month and one with overtime, bonus or unpaid leave.
1. Check basic salary and all earnings
Start with basic salary. Match it against the employment contract, offer letter or latest agreed rate. If your salary or role changed, confirm the effective date.
Next, review allowances, overtime, bonus and commission. These items change gross earnings and can also change contributions and PCB/MTD. Match variable payments with attendance, claim or commission records.
2. Separate employee EPF from employer EPF
Employee EPF should appear as its own salary deduction. A small difference from a rough percentage is not automatically a payroll error because official schedules and employee categories can apply.
Employer EPF is different: it is an additional employer contribution. Payroll software may show it for information, but it must not reduce employee net pay.
3. Check SOCSO and EIS separately
SOCSO and EIS normally appear as separate employee deductions. Their amounts can change when contributable wages move into a different band, so compare the wage basis as well as the deduction itself.
4. Check PCB / Monthly Tax Deduction
PCB/MTD can move when salary, overtime, bonus, tax residence, family status, zakat, approved TP1 reliefs or year-to-date data changes. If the amount jumps, compare this month with last month and use the English PCB Calculator as an early check.
5. Review other deductions and net pay
Zakat, staff loans, advances, cooperative deductions and unpaid leave should have understandable labels. Ask for the calculation basis when a label is missing or unfamiliar.
Finally, compare net pay with the amount credited to your bank. Then compare the whole payslip with the previous month to identify whether the difference came from earnings, statutory deductions or another payroll adjustment.
If no payslip was issued at all, that is a separate problem from an unclear one. You can produce a properly itemised document with the payslip generator, which lays out earnings and statutory deductions in the order used above.
When to ask HR or payroll
- A deduction has no clear label.
- Net pay does not match the amount credited to your bank.
- Employer contributions appear to reduce employee salary.
- SOCSO, EIS or PCB/MTD changes sharply without an obvious input change.
- Overtime or an allowance is missing.
- An unpaid-leave adjustment has no clear dates or basis.
Quick payslip audit table
| Payslip item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Basic salary | Match it with your contract, current agreed rate or approved adjustment. |
| Fixed allowances | Check that the label and amount remain consistent when the allowance is fixed. |
| Variable allowances | Match the amount with work records or the relevant company policy. |
| Overtime | Compare recorded hours and rates with attendance records and overtime policy. |
| Bonus | Confirm whether it is a one-off payment and which payroll month it belongs to. |
| Employee EPF | It should appear as an employee deduction, separate from employer EPF. |
| Employer EPF | It is information only and must not reduce employee net pay. |
| SOCSO | Check whether the amount is reasonable for the current contributable-wage band. |
| EIS | Check it separately from SOCSO and note any change in wage band. |
| PCB / MTD | Look for bonus, overtime, tax-data or TP1 changes that explain the amount. |
| Other deductions | Confirm that zakat, loans, advances, cooperative payments or unpaid leave are clearly labelled. |
| Net pay | Compare it with the amount actually credited to your bank account. |