Which type of liability includes wages that are owed but not yet paid?

The correct answer, accrued payables, accurately reflects what occurs when wages are owed to employees but have not yet been paid. This category of liability represents amounts that an organization owes for services that have been rendered, but for which payment has not yet been made by the close of the accounting period.

Accrued payables typically include wages, salaries, and any related benefits that employees have earned according to their employment agreements but have not received in cash. This accrual concept aligns with the principle of recording expenses in the period they are incurred, ensuring that financial statements accurately represent the company's obligations.

In contrast, long-term liabilities refer to debts or obligations that are due beyond one year, which would not include unpaid wages. Notes payable details borrowing agreements that a company must fulfill but do not specifically address employee wages. Finally, current assets represent resources owned by the company that are expected to provide future economic benefits within one year, such as cash and inventory, rather than obligations. Therefore, accrued payables is the most fitting choice in the context of unpaid wages.