Journal entries for each payroll period are derived from which document?

The payroll register is the document from which journal entries for each payroll period are derived. This comprehensive record contains detailed information about each employee's earnings, withholdings, and deductions for that payroll cycle. It summarizes the total gross wages, net pay, and taxes withheld, serving as a crucial basis for recording payroll expenses and liabilities in the accounting system. When accountants prepare the journal entries, they use the totals from the payroll register to ensure that all payroll transactions are accurately reflected in the financial statements, capturing all necessary details in one cohesive format.

The other options do not serve the purpose of summarizing and organizing payroll information in the same way. The employee hours report provides details on the amount of time worked by employees but lacks the comprehensive financial summary needed for journal entries. Time cards record individual employee hours but also do not offer the aggregated financial data necessary for accounting. The income statement is a financial report that summarizes revenue and expenses over a specific period, but it does not provide the specific details related to payroll transactions needed for recording journal entries.