NHNew Hampshire final paycheck law
If you are fired in New Hampshire, your final pay is due within 72 hours of being fired. If you quit, it is due by the next regular payday.
| If you | Your last check is due |
|---|---|
| were fired or laid off | Within 72 hours of being fired |
| quit | Next regular payday. Within 72 hours if at least one pay period's notice was given |
| have unused vacation | It is paid if your employer's written policy says so. The employer's written policy or contract governs payout of unused vacation. |
| are paid late | An extra penalty payment up to double the unpaid wages for deliberate nonpayment. |
| want to read the law | RSA 275:44, 275:53checked October 29, 2026 |
When is my last check due? New Hampshire calculator
What these words mean
- Final paycheck
- The last pay you are owed after a job ends: all hours worked and, in some states, your unused vacation.
- Late-pay penalty
- Extra money some states make an employer pay when your final check is late.
- Payout
- Being paid cash for paid time off you earned but never used.
- Wage complaint
- A free claim you file with your state labor office or the U.S. Department of Labor when you are not paid what the law requires.
Questions
I was fired in New Hampshire. When do I get my last check?
Within 72 hours of being fired.
I quit my job in New Hampshire. When do I get my last check?
Next regular payday. Within 72 hours if at least one pay period's notice was given.
What if my employer pays my last check late in New Hampshire?
An extra penalty payment up to double the unpaid wages for deliberate nonpayment.
Will my unused vacation be in my last check in New Hampshire?
Only if your employer's written policy or your contract says so. The employer's written policy or contract governs payout of unused vacation. See New Hampshire PTO payout rules.
Can my employer keep my last check until I return my uniform or laptop?
No. Money you earned is yours. An employer can only take out what the law or a signed agreement allows. If the check is late, file a free wage complaint with the New Hampshire labor office.