Payroll Help

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How Do I Format the Checkstub on my Paychecks?

Background

When you set up printed paychecks in Patriot Software, you will select what employee information, like the employee address, on the checks and which layout you use.

You can further customize the placement of the checkstub (the details of the paycheck). By default, your check stub template will appear at the very top of the page if you choose “Check on Bottom,” and will appear at the top of the middle third of the page if you choose “Check on Top.”  If needed, you can adjust the placement of the top of your check stub, and also add a line break, in order to accommodate any perforations or pre-printed items on your payroll stubs.

How to Format the Checkstub on Paychecks

  • Settings > Payroll Settings > Paycheck Printing Options
  • Select your printing method, either “Check on Top” or “Check on Bottom.”
  • By default, the employee’s Social Security number will not appear on the check stub. However, you can check the “Display Last 4 Digits of Employee SSN on Check Stub” box.   The last four digits of the employee’s Social Security number will appear below the employee’s name and address on the check stub. There is no option to show the employee’s full SSN in accordance with some state laws.
  • If your business name is different than your tax filing name, choose which name you would like to appear on the paycheck stub template.
  • If you use magnetic printer toner and blank check stock, click “I need to print my bank account information on blank check stock.”  For more details, see How to Print Paychecks Using Blank Check Stock.
  • Click “Layout Adjustments” to show the pay stub template options. This is also where you will indicate you want to add additional information, such as employee address or your company name/address, by clicking the checkboxes.
  • Check Stub Starts at Row field: Use this field to adjust the entire check stub. You’ll enter a positive number of rows in the box to move the entire check stub down. For example, to move the check stub 5 rows down the page, enter “5.”

    HINT: Positive numbers in the field start the line break down LOWER on the page; negative numbers start the line break HIGHER up on the page.

  • Line Break Starts at Row field: Use this field to add a line break in the middle of the check stub. The default for the “Line Break Starts at Row” is zero and works for both at the top of the middle third of the page (if you use Check on Bottom) or the top of the bottom third of the page (if you use Check on Top).
    • This field works similarly to the “Check Stub Starts at Row.” You’ll enter a positive number of rows in the box to move the line breakdown.
    • To bring the break in the check stub UP, you’ll enter a negative number in the “Line Break Starts at Row.” 
  • Next, enter the number of blank rows to insert between the two sections of the check stub. For example, if you use Check on Bottom, and keep “Line Break Starts at Row” at 0, and “Number of Blank Rows” is 5, your check stub will look like this:

Sample of how to format the checkstub on paychecks

You can experiment with the Line Break and Blank Row numbers and click “Print Sample” to see how your check will look. You can print as many sample checks as needed to adjust the line break until it prints correctly. You do not need to click Save to print a sample paycheck, but you will need to save your settings once you are satisfied with the placement.

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