Massachusetts Final Paycheck Laws
Calculate when final wages are due under Massachusetts law. Enter the termination details below.
Final Paycheck Deadline Calculator
Find out exactly when the final paycheck is due based on state law.
Massachusetts Law
SAME DAY as discharge (immediately upon termination)
CRITICAL: Massachusetts has one of the strictest final pay laws in the country. Failure to pay terminated employees on the same day of discharge can result in automatic treble (3x) damages plus attorney's fees. This is one of the most heavily litigated wage laws in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts treats earned vacation as wages. Any accrued, unused vacation must be paid out upon termination regardless of the reason for separation. 'Use it or lose it' policies are generally prohibited. Employers may cap vacation accrual but cannot forfeit earned time.
⚠️Penalty Estimator
Up to treble (3x) damages
No penalty yet - deadline has not passed.
Never miss a payroll deadline again
- Real-time alerts when state laws change
- Compliance checklists & calendar exports
- Multi-state coverage for growing teams
Massachusetts Final Paycheck Requirements
| Scenario | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Employee is fired or laid off | SAME DAY as discharge (immediately upon termination) |
| Employee quits with notice | Next regular payday (or Saturday if no regular payday within this period) |
| Employee quits without notice | Next regular payday (or Saturday if no regular payday within this period) |
| PTO/Vacation payout required? | Yes |
⚠️ Late Payment Penalties
Up to treble (3x) damages
PTO/Vacation Payout
Massachusetts treats earned vacation as wages. Any accrued, unused vacation must be paid out upon termination regardless of the reason for separation. 'Use it or lose it' policies are generally prohibited. Employers may cap vacation accrual but cannot forfeit earned time.
Additional Notes
CRITICAL: Massachusetts has one of the strictest final pay laws in the country. Failure to pay terminated employees on the same day of discharge can result in automatic treble (3x) damages plus attorney's fees. This is one of the most heavily litigated wage laws in Massachusetts.
Compare Other States
Need more than just final paycheck rules?
View the complete Massachusetts Payroll Compliance Guide →