---
title: "Get a Balancing Receipt"
method: GET
path: "/payrolls/{payroll}/paper_checks-1"
---

# Get a Balancing Receipt

`GET /payrolls/{payroll}/paper_checks-1`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://sandbox.checkhq.com`
- URL: `https://sandbox.checkhq.com/payrolls/{payroll}/paper_checks-1`
- Auth: API key in header `Authorization`
- TypeScript: <https://skmtc.dev/checkhq/apis/check-api/docs/payrolls/:payroll/paper_checks-1/get.ts> (a function with typed inputs; its response is checked against the schema)

Returns the balancing receipt for the specified payroll. The receipt provides a detailed breakdown of tax variances identified during the quarterly balancing process, including any amounts owed between Check and the employer and any refunds due from tax agencies.

This endpoint is only available for balancing payrolls. Calling it on a non-balancing payroll returns an error.

By default, the response is JSON. Use an `Accept: application/pdf` request header to download the receipt as a PDF document.

## Path parameters

- `payroll` string, required

## Headers

- `Accept` 'application/json' | 'application/pdf'

## Response `200`

The balancing receipt for the specified payroll.

- object
  - `cash_requirement_total` number: The net amount to be collected or refunded from the employer directly in a transaction related to this payroll. (Note: If the total cash requirement across all taxes is $1.00 or less, this returns 0 - waiving any transaction with the employer - and the amount is reported in `cash_requirement_waived` instead.)
  - `cash_requirement_waived` number: The net cash requirement amount that was automatically absorbed because it fell at or below the $1.00 write-off threshold. This is 0 when the cash requirement exceeds $1.00.
  - `agency_refund_total` number: The total amount refundable directly from tax agencies to the employer, separate of any direct transaction related to this payroll.
  - `taxes` object[]: A per-tax breakdown of all variances, including those below the write-off threshold.
    - `tax` string: The tax ID (e.g., tax_abc123).
    - `description` string: Human-readable name of the tax (e.g., Employer Medicare Tax).
    - `agency` string: The name of the tax agency responsible for this tax.
    - `cash_requirement` number: The amount to be refunded or collected directly from the employer in a transaction related to this payroll, specific to this tax.
    - `agency_refund` number: (If applicable) The additional amount refundable directly from the taxing authority to the employer/employee separate of a transaction related to this payroll.

## Other responses

- `400`: The specified payroll is not a balancing payroll.

## Changes

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

[Operation history](https://skmtc.dev/checkhq/apis/check-api/changes/payrolls/:payroll/paper_checks-1/get.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)