---
title: "Update a payroll item"
method: PATCH
path: "/payroll_items/{payroll_item} (COPY)"
---

# Update a payroll item

`PATCH /payroll_items/{payroll_item} (COPY)`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://sandbox.checkhq.com`
- URL: `https://sandbox.checkhq.com/payroll_items/{payroll_item} (COPY)`
- Auth: API key in header `Authorization`
- TypeScript: <https://skmtc.dev/checkhq/apis/check-api/docs/payroll_items/:payroll_item%20(COPY)/patch.ts> (a function with typed inputs; its response is checked against the schema)

Updates the specified payroll item.

## Path parameters

- `payroll_item` string, required

## Request body

- object
  - `payroll` string: The payroll ID associated with the payroll item.
  - `payment_method` string: May be `manual`, or `direct_deposit` if the employee has a linked bank account. `direct_deposit` if the employee has a linked Plaid account.
  - `earnings` object[]: The set of earnings objects associated with the payroll item.
    - `type` string: Type of earning. Can be one of the following earning types in <a href="https://docs.checkhq.com/reference/types-of-earnings">Types of earnings</a>
    - `workplace` string, required: ID of the workplace where work for this earning was performed
    - `earning_code` string: The earning code id which will be used to aggregate earnings on the paystub
    - `description` string: Readable description of the earning code that will show up on the paystub
    - `earning_rate` string: The earning rate id which will be used to calculate the gross wage. Required if type is “piece”
    - `amount` string: Amount earned for this earning<br><br>May be negative, for example to reverse or correct a previously reported earning
    - `hours` number, float: Number of hours worked for this earning
    - `piece_units` number, float: Number of units of work produced. Required if type is “piece”
    - `metadata` string, json: Additional loosely structured information to associate with the earning
  - `reimbursements` object[]: The set of non-taxable reimbursements objects associated with the payroll item.
    - `amount` string, required: Amount of reimbursement<br><br>Must be greater than or equal to 0 on regular payrolls. Negative values are accepted on external payrolls
    - `description` string: Description for the reimbursement that will show up on the paystub
    - `code` string: Unique code to identify the reimbursement that will be used to aggregate reimbursements on the paystub. Recommended to always be included to have explicit groupings on the paystub.
    - `metadata` string, json: Additional loosely structured information to associate with the reimbursement
  - `benefit_overrides` object[]: The set of benefit override objects associated with this payroll item.
    - `benefit` string, required: ID of the employee benefit that is being overridden for the payroll item
    - `employee_contribution_amount` string: Updated employee contribution amount to use for this payroll only
    - `company_contribution_amount` string: Updated company contribution amount to use for this payroll only
  - `post_tax_deduction_overrides` object[]: The set of benefit override objects associated with this payroll item.
    - `post_tax_deduction` string, required: ID of the miscellaneous post-tax deduction that is being overridden.
    - `amount` string, required: Updated deduction amount to use for this payroll only
  - `tax_overrides` object[]: The set of tax override objects associated with this payroll item.
    - `tax` string, required: ID of the tax being overridden. Only Federal Income Tax and State Income Taxes are eligible.
    - `amount` string, required: Updated withholding amount to use for this payroll only.
  - `pto_balance_hours` number, float: The employee's remaining PTO hour balance, for display on the paystub. Can be updated even after the associated payroll has been approved.
  - `sick_balance_hours` number, float: The employee's remaining sick hour balance, for display on the paystub. Can be updated even after the associated payroll has been approved.
  - `state_covid_sick_balance_hours` number, float: The employee's remaining sick hour balance from state COVID relief bills, for display on the paystub
  - `supplemental_tax_calc_method` string: Controls the method used by Check to calculate tax on supplemental earnings. May be `flat` or `aggregate`
  - `paper_check_number` string: For accounting. The check number associated with any printed checks. Can be updated even after the associated payroll has been approved. See [Get a paper check](ref:get-a-paper-check) for more details.
  - `metadata` string, json: Additional loosely structured information to associate with the payroll item

## Response `200`

200

## Changes

- **2026-11-03** `5a54f5eb888b`: 1 info
  - endpoint added

[Operation history](https://skmtc.dev/checkhq/apis/check-api/changes/payroll_items/:payroll_item%20%28COPY%29/patch.md)

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/checkhq/apis/check-api.md) - [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/checkhq/apis/check-api/llms.txt) - [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/checkhq/apis/check-api/revisions/5a54f5eb888b?raw)