Understanding Your Paycheck and Your Rights at Work

Your paycheck is more than a number. It tells you exactly where your money goes before it reaches your bank account -- federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and deductions you may not have agreed to. Texas has no state income tax, which means more take-home pay, but it also means the state minimum wage is still $7.25 per hour. This guide walks through every line on a pay stub, explains overtime rules, breaks down your legal rights as a worker in Texas, and tells you where to file complaints if your employer is not paying what they owe. It also covers free tax preparation through IRS VITA sites across Houston.

Every worker in Texas has rights. You have the right to be paid at least $7.25 per hour (the federal minimum wage, which Texas matches). If you work more than 40 hours in a week, your employer must pay time-and-a-half for every overtime hour. Your employer must give you a final paycheck within 6 days if you are fired, or by the next regular payday if you quit. You cannot be fired for filing a wage complaint or reporting safety violations. If your employer is not paying correctly, you can file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission at no cost. During tax season, IRS VITA sites across Houston provide free tax preparation for households earning under $67,000 per year.