Understanding differences in your payment amount
Sometimes, the payment amount you receive in your bank account may be different from what you initially saw in the Instawork app. This article explains the most common reasons for these differences.
Taxes on W-2 earnings
When you work W-2 shifts (as an employee rather than an independent contractor):
Taxes are automatically deducted from your earnings
The amount deposited in your bank account will be LOWER than your pre-tax earnings
Deductions may include federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare
To see your exact payment breakdown:
1. Log in to your ADP account
2. Navigate to the Pay Statements section
3. View the itemized deductions for each payment
Timesheet adjustments
After you complete a shift, the business submits a timesheet confirming your actual hours worked:
Example: If your shift was scheduled for 1:00-5:00 PM but you worked from 1:10-4:58 PM, you'll be paid for the actual time worked (3 hours and 48 minutes)
These adjustments can decrease or sometimes increase your payment amount
The final payment is based on verified clock-in and clock-out times
If you believe there's an error in your timesheet:
1. Go to the Earnings tab in the app
2. Find the shift in question
3. Select "Dispute Hours" to request a review
Other common reasons for payment differences
Instapay partial payments (W-2 shifts)
If you used Instapay for W-2 shifts:
You initially receive 60% of your estimated earnings minus the 5% fee
The remaining 40% (minus taxes and deductions) comes in your weekly payment
This split payment approach can sometimes confuse the total amount
Break time deductions
Unpaid meal breaks are deducted from your total hours
If you took a 30-minute unpaid break, this time is subtracted from your total pay
Payment method fees
Instapay includes a 5% transaction fee
Some payment methods may have additional processing fees
These fees are deducted from your total payment amount
Checking your payment details
To understand exactly what you were paid for a specific shift:
1. Open the Instawork app
2. Go to the Earnings tab
3. Select the shift in question
4. Review the detailed breakdown showing:
Scheduled hours vs. actual hours worked
Hourly rate
Any adjustments or deductions
Final payment amount
If you have questions about your payment amount or believe there's an error, please contact our support team in the app within 7 days of receiving your payment.