> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.symmetry.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payroll context

> Assemble the payroll context STL API needs to trace and explain a paycheck, passing the same inputs used at calculation time via the STE JSON API or on-premise SDK.

The STL API requires the complete payroll context for the employee's paycheck — the same inputs provided to STE at calculation time. This context enables STL to accurately trace and explain each tax withheld.

<Check>
  **Full Payroll Context**

  Supply the full `payCalc` context for the paycheck, including all wages and all jurisdictions. Partial context — limited to only the tax being explained — will result in inaccurate explanations.
</Check>

The method for capturing and supplying payroll context depends on your STE implementation:

* **API**: capture and save the flat employee `payCalc` object
* **On-premise SDK**: enable PayCalc session recording

## STE JSON API

The `payCalc` request object contains all context required by STL. Persist the full request payload at calculation time — in a database, cache, or alongside the paycheck record — so it is available when a tax explanation is requested. Pass the stored object as the `paycalc_context` field in the `/explain` request body.

See how to do this in the [full workflow](/ste/ai-interfaces/tax-logic-api/full-workflow#step-3-obtain-the-payroll-context).

## STE On-Premise SDK

On-premise clients must enable PayCalc Session Recording to capture STE calculations in a replayable format. See [PayCalc Session Recording](/ste/ai-interfaces/tax-logic-api/paycalc-session-recording) for configuration, storage guidance, and API reference.