Final Paycheck Calculator

California · Employment

California Final Paycheck Penalty Estimator

Estimate a California waiting-time penalty using the applicable daily wage and the time final wages remained unpaid.

Legal review preview

When this applies For a potential penalty under California Labor Code § 203. Enter the correct final-wage due date. The result assumes the conditions for a penalty, including a willful failure to pay, are met.

Enter your figures

Start with your own figures or load the example.

Calculator inputs

Use the applicable daily rate under California rules. Amount in U.S. dollars.

Confirm the due date from the circumstances and official guidance.

Use the earlier of payment or court action. If neither occurred, use your estimate date.

Worked example

See how it works

A $200 daily wage and 12 calendar days of qualifying delay give a modeled penalty of $2,400.

Calculations run in this browser. The tool sends no entries or results to a server.

Method & sources

Count elapsed calendar days from the wage due date to payment, commencement of a court action, or the estimate date if neither occurred. Multiply up to 30 days by the entered daily wage.

Does an agency wage claim stop the clock?

The California Labor Commissioner distinguishes filing a wage claim with the agency from commencing a court action. Use its guidance to identify the stop date.

Official references

Sources reviewed .

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