Initial Payroll Setup

Welcome to the set up process for Church Windows Payroll. These steps guide you through setting up your Payroll system for the first time, but you might also use it to review your settings periodically.

The Data Setup menu at the top lists the screens where you will add information. These entries for payroll calculations can be used for multiple employees. For example, if you have set up a housing allowance, you can use that for two people even with different amounts.

You can move through these entry screens in whatever order works best for you. This outline provides a suggested sequence, however the entries are not dependent on each other and can be completed in any order.

1. Create Payroll Departments

   Departments are optional, but allow to you to filter or pay based on this categorization.

2. Add Pay Labels

   Pay labels designate different types of pay. For example, you might have a regular rate and an overtime rate. You can also use pay labels when you have an employee who works multiple jobs at different rates.

3. Enter Allowances & Deductions

   Allowances and deductions are assigned to employees in their record. Each allowance or deduction needs to be added to the employee file where you set the specific amounts. These can also be included for single time use in a Payroll run.

4. Add any relevant Miscellaneous Tax or Local Tax.

   These tax wizards are used when you have additional state taxes. Local taxes may include school district taxes.

5. Enter the Unemployment Tax Rates

   Though churches are often not required to pay FUTA. SUTA varies by your state.

6. Add Employees & Contractors

   Employee and Contractors each have their own file that contains information about their employment, notes, pay rates, paid time off, allowances and deductions and comments.

7. Calculate Payroll and review that your settings are correct.

   You can calculate a Payroll without posting to review your set up and make sure you don't have additions or edits to make.