Texas final paycheck demand letter template
A Texas final-pay demand letter should say whether the worker was discharged or resigned: discharged workers are generally owed final wages within six calendar days, while workers who resign are generally paid on the next regular payday.
A demand letter is a written payment request and record of the dispute. It does not guarantee payment or replace advice from a licensed attorney.
The rule your letter should reference
Fired or laid off
Final wages generally due within 6 calendar days of the discharge
Quit with notice
Final wages generally due on or before the next regular payday
Quit without notice
Final wages generally due on or before the next regular payday
Authority
Texas Labor Code § 61.014Wage claim agency
Texas Workforce CommissionWhat gives the letter weight in Texas
Texas routes eligible wage claims through the Texas Workforce Commission and generally requires a Payday Law claim within 180 days after the wages became due. A private demand does not pause that filing period.
Do not import California-style waiting-time penalties into a Texas demand; cite the six-day or next-payday rule that actually applies.
Use your facts and the Texas deadline to create your demand letter →
Annotated letter structure
1. Identify yourself and your employer
Use your full name and mailing address, then identify the employer and the person responsible for payroll or HR.
2. State how and when the job ended
Give your last day worked and say whether you were fired, laid off, or resigned; that fact determines the Texas deadline.
3. List the unpaid wages
Identify unpaid regular wages, overtime, commissions, bonuses, vacation, or expenses separately when they apply. If the amount is uncertain, demand all earned wages due.
4. Cite the applicable deadline
State the applicable timing rule and cite Texas Labor Code § 61.014 without claiming that every exception has been resolved.
5. Make a clear payment demand
Ask for the full amount due by a clear date and explain that you may contact the wage agency if the issue remains unresolved.
6. Preserve proof of delivery
Keep the PDF, sent email, postal receipt, tracking result, and any reply together with your wage records.
After you finish the letter
Save the signed letter as a PDF. Send it to a person responsible for payroll or HR, keep the sent email, and consider Certified Mail with Return Receipt for a separate delivery record.
If the response date passes, review the filing instructions from the Texas Workforce Commission. Keep the letter, delivery records, pay stubs, time records, and messages about payment.
Texas demand letter FAQs
What should a Texas final paycheck demand letter include?
Include the parties, last day worked, how the job ended, wages believed due, the Texas deadline, a clear request for payment, and a response date.
When are final wages due after being fired in Texas?
They are generally due within 6 calendar days of the discharge. Exceptions can apply, so confirm the rule with Texas Workforce Commission.
Should I send the letter by certified mail?
Certified Mail can create a dated delivery record. Emailing the same PDF can provide an additional record, but neither method guarantees payment.
Where can I file a wage claim in Texas?
The relevant agency is Texas Workforce Commission. Review its current eligibility and filing instructions before submitting a claim.
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Create my Texas demand letterRelated Texas resources
General information, not legal advice. Last Check GPT is not a law firm. Laws change and exceptions apply; verify current requirements with the official sources above.