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District of Columbia Final Paycheck Law (2026)

When your last paycheck is due in District of Columbia after you leave a job, whether you quit or were fired, and what it has to include.

Updated for 2026 Verified Jul 6, 2026
Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

In District of Columbia, your final paycheck is due the next business day if you are fired, and within seven days or the next payday, whichever is first if you quit.

Final paycheck deadline in District of Columbia

If you are fired or laid off
The next business day
If you quit
Within seven days or the next payday, whichever is first

What your final pay must include

Your final paycheck must include all the wages you earned through your last day. Whether it also has to include unused vacation depends on your state and your employer's policy, some states treat accrued vacation as wages that must be paid out. See District of Columbia PTO payout rules. If an employer misses the deadline, many states add penalties. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

District of Columbia final paycheck FAQ

When is my final paycheck due in District of Columbia if I am fired?
If you are fired in District of Columbia, your final paycheck is due the next business day.
When is my final paycheck due if I quit in District of Columbia?
If you quit in District of Columbia, your final paycheck is due within seven days or the next payday, whichever is first.
Does my final paycheck include unused PTO?
It depends on your state and your employer's policy. Some states require accrued vacation to be paid out at separation. See District of Columbia PTO payout rules for details.
Can an employer withhold my final paycheck in District of Columbia?
No. An employer cannot withhold earned wages. They can make lawful deductions, but the wages you have earned are owed by the state deadline, whether or not you return company property (with narrow exceptions in a few states).
Where can I find the official District of Columbia rule?
The DC Department of Employment Services and your state wage-payment law govern final pay. The official source is linked on this page.
David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.