Arizona Final Paycheck Law — deadline calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Arizona's final paycheck law for fired employees in 2026?

  Under ARS 23-353, an employer who discharges (fires or lays off) an employee must pay all wages due within seven working days from the termination date, or by the end of the next regular pay period — whichever deadline comes first. Working days excludes Saturdays and Sundays.

• How soon must I receive my final paycheck if I quit my job in Arizona?

  Under ARS 23-351, an employee who voluntarily resigns must be paid all wages due by the next regularly scheduled payday — specifically the payday for the pay period during which the resignation occurred. You may also request payment by mail, in which case the postmark date determines timely payment.

• What penalty does an Arizona employer face for a late final paycheck?

  A violation of ARS 23-353 is a petty offense under Arizona criminal law. Separately, once the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) issues a final Determination that wages are owed, an employer who fails to pay within 10 days becomes liable for triple the amount of unpaid wages. The employee may also pursue a civil action for damages and attorney fees.

• Does Arizona's 7-day rule use calendar days or working days?

  The statute (ARS 23-353) specifies seven working days, which means Saturdays and Sundays do not count toward the seven-day period. A termination on Monday gives the employer until the following Wednesday (skipping the weekend) — unless the next regular pay period ends sooner, in which case that earlier date controls.

• Can my employer withhold my final paycheck until I return company property?

  No. ARS 23-352 prohibits employers from withholding wages except for deductions required by law, authorized in writing by the employee, or ordered by a court. Requiring return of equipment, completing an exit interview, or signing separation documents are not valid grounds to delay or withhold a final paycheck.

• Does my final paycheck need to include unused vacation or PTO?

  Only if your employer's written policy or employment agreement specifies that accrued vacation or PTO is payable upon separation. If the employer has such a policy, that accrued PTO constitutes wages under ARS 23-350 and must be included in the final paycheck by the same deadline that applies to regular wages.

• How do I file a wage claim for a late final paycheck in Arizona?

  File a complaint with the ICA Labor Department's Wage Claims Division at azica.gov/labor-wage-claims-main-page or by calling (602) 542-4515. Claims should generally be filed within one year of the date the wages were due. Bring documentation including pay stubs, your termination notice, and any communications about outstanding wages.

• Does federal FLSA have a final paycheck deadline that applies to Arizona workers?

  No. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets no specific deadline for issuing a final paycheck — federal law only requires that wages be paid on the established regular payday. Arizona's ARS 23-353 and ARS 23-351 go further by imposing the seven-working-day and next-payday deadlines respectively.

• What if the employer's business closed or went bankrupt?

  Your wage claim rights survive a business closure or bankruptcy. File a claim with the ICA, which can pursue the employer's assets. In bankruptcy proceedings, employee wage claims are typically treated as priority unsecured claims under federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C. § 507). An employment attorney can help navigate concurrent ICA and bankruptcy filings.

• Is there a statute of limitations on Arizona final paycheck claims?

  Yes. Wage claims filed with the ICA must generally be submitted within one year of the date the wages became due. Civil lawsuits for wage violations have a two-year limitations period under ARS 23-364 (or three years for willful violations). Acting promptly protects your full range of remedies.