Lagtime from the end of the pay period to the check date is typically about how many hours?

• A. 96 hours
• B. 24 hours
• C. 12 hours
• D. 48 hours

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the payroll processing window after a pay period ends. After time data is collected, payroll must be reviewed, hours verified, deductions and taxes calculated, and payments prepared for distribution either by check or direct deposit. This processing plus banking schedules typically pushes the check date about four days after the end of the pay period. Four days equals roughly 96 hours, which is why this option is standard. Shorter lags—about one day, half a day, or two days—don’t allow enough time for all the necessary steps, so they aren’t typical for this timing.