Payroll FAQ
Direct Deposit Questions
Q: How does Direct Deposit work and are there any costs for participating?
A: Each payday the University will deposit your net pay directly into your checking or savings account at your financial institution. Direct Deposit is a safe and convenient way to receive your pay and has no costs to the employee.
Q: Am I required to have my pay deposited into my account or can I get paid with a check?
A: All employees working for the University are required to be paid by direct deposit.
Q: Is it possible to have a portion of my check put into my savings account and the balance in my checking account?
A: Yes. The authorization agreement allows you to designate the amount to one account and the balance automatically goes to another account, the primary account.
Q: What is the earliest date I can make cash withdrawals on the amount of the Direct Deposit?
A: The money will be available to you on payday; however, you may want to confirm with your bank before using any funds.
Q: Could I have my paycheck deposited into three separate accounts—savings, a checking account, and a 457b retirement account? Or can I only pick two?
A: You may have two (2) accounts to deposit the total of your net pay. Retirement accounts, both 403b and 457 accounts are reductions to salary and are not a part of your net pay. So you may have two accounts to deposit your net pay and have money go into a retirement account.
Q: What if I decide to change banks? What do I have to do?
A: The authorization and any required bank information must be completed and processed online through the Employee Dashboard on My Missouri State. However, DO NOT close your existing account until the first Direct Deposit has been received by the new bank.
Q: If I have closed my account and forgotten to tell the University, what will happen to my pay?
A: Complete the authorization and any required bank information for your new account online through My Missouri State and email Payroll@MissouriState.edu as soon as possible. After verification that the funds have been returned to the University’s bank, Payroll will then redirect the direct deposit to your new account.
Q: I am leaving the country in May. Can I use a bank in my home country to receive my net pay?
A: Direct deposit is available in US currency to US financial institutions only. You will need to make arrangements with your US bank to wire funds to you after you leave the US.
Q: If I signed up for Direct Deposit the last time I worked at the University, will I need to complete the Payroll Direct Deposit authorization again?
A: You should check the bank and account number through My Missouri State to verify this information is still accurate. If you do not see your bank information or if you have changed accounts you will need to complete the authorization and any required bank information online.
Tax Questions
Q: How can I determine what to claim on my W-4?
A: Several websites have a withholding calculator for your use. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator , https://mytax.mo.gov/rptp/portal/home/withholding-calculator/, or http://www.paycheckcity.com.
Q: Why can’t I use the information on the year-to-date screen after December to file my taxes?
A: W-2 earnings include non-monetary taxable fringe benefits. Taxable benefits include gift certificates and other non-monetary benefits. They are not reflected on the year-to-date screen, only on the actual monthly earnings statement and the W-2.
Q: When will I receive my W-2?
A: The W-2 Annual Wage and Tax Statements will be mailed by January 31st to your mailing address on file. Consent must be given by January 1st to receive your W-2 statement electronically instead of the traditional paper process. Online delivery provides access to the W-2 statement earlier and eliminates the chance that the W-2 will get lost or misdirected during delivery. To sign up to receive your W-2 statement electronically follow the instructions for Electronic W-2 Election through My Missouri State.
Pay Questions
Q: I am a Per Course Instructor in the fall semester. When will I receive my pay?
A: Provided all paperwork has reached HR and Payroll you will receive ¼ of your semester pay the last banking day of the month beginning September and ending December. If this is the first time you have taught, or you are returning after not teaching for a semester, you will need to complete a new I-9 and W-4’s. Be sure to check your direct deposit information to make sure your pay will be deposited in the correct account. If you teach in the spring, your pay will begin February and end May.
Q: How do I find out what I made this month and the total for the year?
A: Monthly and Year-to-Date payroll information is available through My Missouri State.
Q: I need a paystub for my financial institution. How can I get a copy?
A: You can print your paystub from the Employee Dashboard on My Missouri State. Click on All Pay Stubs to select paystub you wish to print. At top left of screen click on Printer Friendly to print an official paystub.
Time and Leave Questions
Q: Where do I find my Time Sheet/Leave Report:
A: Timesheets/leave reports can be accessed on the Employee Dashboard after logging into My Missouri State, Refer to the “Time Entry and Leave Reporting Employee User Guide” on the Payroll webpage or on Time & Leave Resources card on My Missouri State for guidance on how to complete your timesheet / leave report.
Q: How do I know if I’m supposed to record a University day off as Holiday or Extra Day Given?
A: The Payroll Calendars located on the Payroll website and on the Time & Leave Resources card on My Missouri State, will specify how all days should be recorded on your timesheet.
Q: What if I missed the submission deadline?
A: It is important that you plan ahead and know the deadlines. The Payroll and Leave Reporting Calendars are posted on My Missouri State and on the Payroll webpage. Employees who miss a submission deadline will need to contact your Approver. If the Approver has missed a deadline the Approver will need to contact Payroll.
Q: How do I know how much vacation and sick leave I have accrued?
A: Vacation and sick leave balances are available through My Missouri State on the Employee Dashboard.