This solution goes over the steps necessary to run a Bonus payroll


Things to know before you get started

  • Do you want to run a separate payroll?
  • Do you want to pay the Bonus from a regular job or create a new job to use separate funding?
  • Is the Bonus a flat amount or a percentage of pay?
  • Check for an active Rate ID - Bonus in Position Tracking
  • Confirm the Deductions you want to compute
  • Do you want to withhold Federal and State tax at a higher rate?


Bonus Rate ID


Position Tracking > Setup > Rates> Rate Masters

Activate the Bonus Pay Rate ID



Once activated, click Bonus and select Gross Rates from the bottom of the screen.  This will show you all the Gross ID rates that have Bonus rate ID active already.  If the Gross ID rate you are looking for does not appear on this screen, add the gross id by using the add button at the bottom.


Gross Rates


Add Rate ID to Gross Rate



Pay Type

Select or create the appropriate pay type. This is based on which deductions you would like computed on this payroll. IE. Mandatory Deductions Only.



Pay using a Separate Jobs 

Create a Pay Group called Bonus (or something similar, as preferred).  Add a new job for each person that should receive a bonus. Set up each job with:

        

  • Gross ID of MANDATORY (Gross ID must allow a Salary Rate to be entered)

  • Number of Pays = 1

  • Misc Salary Amount = bonus amount

  • Or....if you want to enter the bonus amount during payroll, you should use a Gross ID that allows the Hourly Unit Rate to be entered; in payroll, you'd enter 1 unit at $X.XXPay Group = Bonus


In payroll, range on Bonus Pay Group to pull all Bonus jobs in at once; verify list of employees, individual $ amounts and total figure


Pay under Regular Job using Bonus Rate ID


Set up a Bonus rate id to pay the employees, rather than entering an adjustment in payroll on each employee. Add an amount to this rate by going to Gross Rates, if everyone will have the same Bonus amount.


In Select Payroll (Pay Jobs in Mass), select by ranging on the Bonus Rate ID and the applicable Pay Group (you'd range once on each Pay Group that's receiving a bonus). It will also be available to range on each Pay Group a second time (like normal, without ranging on Rate ID or anything else) to bring their regular pay (Salary/Hourly rate, etc.) into the payroll. Once this is set up in your live directory, Update Test, and run the payroll through Select to see if you are getting your expected results.


Federal and State Deductions



If you want the bonuses taxed at the 22% supplemental rate make sure they have the Federal 22% deduction added.


Another consideration is voluntary deductions. If you add the bonus to the regular payroll, all deductions will apply, unless the bonus is paid on a job with a Gross ID that is mandatory only. However if you run it separately, you can choose a Mandatory-only Pay Type.


If you need to block additional flat amounts being withheld from Federal or State Deductions by the employee, go to Payroll Module - Setup - Payroll Types (Deduction Schedules).  Check all boxes that apply.