Using the pay statement as our roadmap, this course covers the basics of payroll that everyone who receives a paycheck should know. Starting with your classification as an employee, you'll learn why certain new hire forms are required; how to calculate various payroll amounts, including gross and taxable wages, deductions, and certain taxes; how pretax deductions and benefits impact your taxes; and how your pay statement year-to-dates are used to generate a W-2. All this so you can make sure you are being paid accurately.
Payroll and Tax Fundamentals
Payroll and Tax Fundamentals
Taught in English
4,933 already enrolled
4.7
(42 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
5 hours to complete
3 weeks at 1 hour a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
The learner will explore fundamental aspects of payroll, including earnings, taxes, deductions and the significance of accurate personal information.
Explore other employee benefits and look at pay statement details and the W-2, enhancing the understanding of income reporting.
The importance of payroll date calculations and payment methods.
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
November 2023
Assessments
19 quizzes, 8 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 3 modules in this course
We’ll look at how evaluating whether you are a contractor, or an employee determines what forms you will need to get you on board at your new job. We’ll discuss minimum wage rate, overtime rules and the importance of the calendar when receiving payroll.
What's included
10 videos4 readings5 quizzes3 assignments2 discussion prompts
This week, we’ll discuss different earning types, how gross pay is calculated with overtime and commission, and we’ll take a close look at payroll taxes and other elements impact deductions.
What's included
7 videos5 readings9 quizzes3 assignments
Learn how to recognize the essential components on your pay statement so you know what you are being paid and what is being withheld from your pay. Then, it’s time to learn how these components are used to calculate your net pay and how those amounts are reflected on your annual statement.
What's included
6 videos2 readings5 quizzes2 assignments1 discussion prompt
Instructor
Instructor ratings
5.0 (14 ratings)
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Leadership and Management
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
Coursera Project Network
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Intuit
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
Showing 3 of 42
4.7
42 reviews
- 5 stars
78.57%
- 4 stars
16.66%
- 3 stars
2.38%
- 2 stars
0%
- 1 star
2.38%
New to Leadership and Management? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.