29 C.F.R. § 3.9
§ 3.9 Prohibited payroll deductions. (29 CFR Part 3)
Operative Text
Deductions not elsewhere provided for by this part and which are not found to be permissible under § 3.6 are prohibited.
Under 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.9, any deduction from a worker's pay that is not explicitly authorized elsewhere in Part 3 or determined to be permissible under § 3.6 is flatly prohibited. The rule operates as a default prohibition: if a deduction lacks a recognized basis within the regulatory framework, it cannot lawfully be taken. This provision applies in the context of the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, which governs contractors and subcontractors on federally funded or assisted construction and repair work.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and developers acting as contractors or subcontractors on federally assisted construction projects generally ensure that every payroll deduction they apply to workers' wages has a clear authorization under 29 CFR Part 3 or has been found permissible under § 3.6. Compliant operators typically maintain documentation showing the regulatory basis for each deduction category before applying it. Under § 3.9, any deduction that cannot be traced to an authorized category is treated as a violation, which can trigger federal enforcement and potential liability on covered projects.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Workers employed on federally funded or assisted construction projects have a right under 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.9 to be free from wage deductions that lack a recognized basis under the Copeland Act regulations. If a worker believes an unauthorized deduction has been taken from their paycheck, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division or raising the violation through any applicable federal contract dispute process. Tenant-rights and worker-rights organizations familiar with prevailing wage law can help workers understand what deductions are and are not permitted under Part 3.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 5, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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