Skip to main content

People Experience
  2. HR Compensation
  3. Payroll
  4. Payroll Check Distribution

Payroll Check Distribution

As of January 1, 2017, Vanderbilt University requires all employees (including faculty, staff, post-docs, temps, and student workers) to enroll in direct deposit as a condition of employment. More information about direct deposit can be found here. However, any paper paychecks that are created while direct deposit is in the process of being set up are mailed directly to the address we have on file for you in Oracle. 

Your contact and paycheck information can be updated in Oracle Cloud under the Personal Information module within the About Me section of the Navigator. Please reference the quick guide. Copies of your payslips and W-2's can also be found in Oracle.

You will be able to access historical information prior to 2018 (as applicable), such as paycheck data, prior to this date using an archived version of the C2HR website rather than through Oracle Cloud.

Paycheck Earnings, Taxes & Deductions

Payroll checks and direct deposit advices provide current pay period and year-to-date details of all earnings, taxes, and deductions. The paycheck also outlines benefits provided by Vanderbilt for employees. More information about reading your payslip can be found here.

The University complies with all applicable Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines; and accordingly, the following taxes are deducted from employees’ pay when applicable:

  • Federal withholding income tax
  • The Social Security portion of FICA
  • The Medicare Insurance portion of FICA
  • State and Local taxes when needed

Limits on these deductions may vary yearly. For current information, contact the Payroll Office.

IRS Guidelines allow certain employee payroll deductions to reduce the"taxable amount" when calculating the amount of taxes an employee must pay. These "Before-Tax Deductions" are listed separately on the paystub, and include deductions deductions such as: 403(b) (Retirement), Medical, Dental, and AD&D premiums, as well as Personal Spending Accounts.

Other "After-Tax Deductions" may be taken from employees’ pay and are outlined accordingly on the paystub. These items are deducted after the employee’s taxes have been calculated and are primarily provided as a convenience to the employee. Examples include athletic tickets, roth retirement contributions, Acorn School tuition, etc. 

At times the University is required to deduct amounts from an employee's pay as the result of a court order for a garnishment/bankruptcy repayment, child support, etc. These deductions are administered by the University Payroll Office in strict accordance with the court documents.