Jury duty pay is usually handled by the court, not your employer, and the amount varies widely by state and case type

When you serve on a jury, the court pays you directly — not your employer, and not through any federal program. The payment comes from the judicial system's operating budget, and the amount depends on which state you're in, what type of case you're hearing, and how long you serve. Some states pay nothing for the first few days. Others pay a flat daily rate that ranges from $15 to $50 or more. A few states pay nothing at all.

The court sends payment by check, direct deposit, or sometimes cash, depending on the court's system. You'll receive instructions about payment method when you report for duty or when your service ends. The timing varies — some courts pay when ready after you're dismissed, others mail checks weeks later. Unlike a regular paycheck, jury duty pay is not withheld for taxes, though you may owe federal income tax on it when you file your return.

Key Takeaways

  • The court pays you for jury duty, not your employer, and the amount depends on your state and the type of case.
  • Payment rates range from nothing for the first few days to $15 to $50 or more per day, with no standard across states.
  • You receive payment by check, direct deposit, or cash after your service ends, though timing varies by court.
  • Jury duty pay is not automatically withheld for taxes, so you may owe federal income tax on the amount when you file your return.
  • Some employers are required by law to pay you your regular salary during jury duty, which is separate from court-paid jury duty compensation.

How much courts pay for jury duty, by state

Payment amounts vary significantly. California pays $15 per day for the first five days, then $50 per day after that. New York pays $15 per day for the first three days, then $35 per day. Texas pays $6 per day for the first three days, then $40 per day. Florida pays $50 per day. Some states, including South Carolina and Mississippi, pay nothing. Other states have no set rate and leave it to individual judges or courts to decide.

Federal courts (where cases involving federal law are heard) typically pay $50 per day for jurors, with a higher rate for jurors who serve longer than 10 days. The payment is the same regardless of which federal court you're in. If you're summoned to a federal court, you'll receive information about the federal rate when your summons arrives.

The type of case can also affect payment. Civil cases (disputes between people or businesses) and criminal cases (prosecutions by the state) usually pay the same rate within a state, but some states pay differently for traffic court or small claims court. Check your state court's website or the summons itself for the specific rate that applies to your case.

When the court pays you and how the money reaches you

Payment timing depends on the court system. Some courts pay you on your last day of service before you leave the courthouse. Others mail a check within one to two weeks. A few courts use direct deposit, which takes longer to set up but arrives faster once it's arranged. You'll be told which method your court uses when you report for duty or when you're dismissed.

If you're paid by check, the court will mail it to the address on your jury summons unless you provide a different address. If the court offers direct deposit, you'll fill out a form with your bank account information. Keep track of when you expect payment — if a check doesn't arrive within three weeks, contact the court's jury office to confirm they have your correct mailing address.

You do not need to do anything to receive payment. The court automatically processes it once your service ends. You won't receive a W-2 or 1099 form from the court, but you should keep records of the dates you served and the amount paid, because you'll need that information when you file your federal income tax return.

Employer pay during jury duty versus court-paid jury compensation

Some states require employers to pay you your regular salary while you serve on a jury. This is separate from the court's jury duty payment. In states with employer-pay laws, you receive both your regular paycheck from your employer and the court's jury duty compensation. In states without such laws, you receive only what the court pays.

States that require employer pay include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and others — but the rules vary. Some states require employers to pay only for a certain number of days (often the first three to five days). Others require full pay for the entire service period. Some states exempt small employers or certain types of businesses.

Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or reduce your pay because you served on a jury. If your employer retaliates against you for jury service, that is illegal under state and federal law. If you believe your employer has retaliated, you can file a complaint with your state's labor department or consult an employment attorney.

Tax treatment of jury duty pay

Jury duty pay is taxable income for federal purposes. You must report it on your federal tax return for the year you received it. The court does not withhold taxes from jury duty payments, so you won't see a reduction in the amount you receive. This means you may owe taxes on the money when you file your return, depending on your total income and tax situation.

Some states also tax jury duty pay as state income. Check your state's tax rules or consult a tax professional if you're unsure. If you received a large jury duty payment and are concerned about owing taxes, you can set aside a portion of the money to cover your tax liability, or you can adjust your withholding on your regular job to account for the additional income.

You will not receive a 1099 form from the court for jury duty pay. Instead, you'll need to report the income based on your own records. Keep the check stub or direct deposit confirmation showing the amount and the dates of service. If you received cash, write down the amount and dates yourself.

What to do if you don't receive your jury duty payment

If you've been dismissed from jury duty and don't receive payment within the timeframe the court provided, contact the court's jury office. Have your juror number (on your summons) and the dates you served ready. The court can confirm whether payment was issued and, if so, whether it was mailed or deposited.

If a check was mailed and you didn't receive it, the court can issue a replacement. If direct deposit was used, the court can verify the account information and confirm the deposit date. In rare cases, payment may have been lost in the mail or there may have been an error in processing. The court's jury office handles these issues and can usually resolve them within a few days.

If the court tells you payment was never issued, ask why and what the next step is. Courts occasionally make administrative errors or may have dismissed you before payment was processed. The jury office should be able to correct the issue and issue payment promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay taxes on jury duty pay?

Yes, jury duty pay is taxable income for federal purposes. You must report it on your federal tax return. The court does not withhold taxes, so you won't see a reduction in the amount you receive. Some states also tax jury duty pay as state income — check your state's rules.

Can my employer make me pay back my jury duty compensation?

No. Jury duty pay belongs to you. Your employer cannot require you to give it back or deduct it from your paycheck. If your employer does this, it is illegal and you should contact your state's labor department or an employment attorney.

What if I'm on jury duty for several weeks — do I get paid more?

Some states increase the daily rate after a certain number of days of service. For example, California pays $50 per day after the first five days instead of $15. Federal courts pay a higher rate after 10 days. Check your state court's website or your summons for the rate structure that applies to your case.

Will I receive a 1099 form for jury duty pay?

No. Courts do not issue 1099 forms for jury duty compensation. You report the income based on your own records — keep your check stub, direct deposit confirmation, or a written record of cash payments and the dates you served.

What happens if I lose the check the court sent me?

Contact the court's jury office and report the lost check. They can issue a replacement or stop payment on the original and reissue it. Have your juror number and the dates you served ready when you call.