Glossary term
Payroll cutoff
Deadline for timecards and adjustments.
Definition
The payroll cutoff is the deadline by which employee timecards, expense reimbursements, bonus approvals, and other adjustments must reach the payroll team to be included in the upcoming paycheck. The cutoff is typically two to four business days before payday, depending on the payroll provider's processing schedule. Items submitted after cutoff are deferred to the next pay period. Time-tracking system administrators are responsible for closing the period and pushing approved hours to payroll before cutoff.
Example
If payday is Friday, the cutoff is often end-of-day Tuesday.
Related terms
- Pay period — The recurring window of time covered by a single paycheck.
- Pay frequency — How often paychecks are issued.
- Payday — The calendar day wages are deposited.
- In arrears — Wages paid after the pay period ends.
- Biweekly — Every other week — 26 paychecks per year.
- Semimonthly — Twice per month on fixed dates — 24 paychecks per year.
See also
- Pay schedule calculator — convert salary to per-paycheck amount
- Pay frequencies primer — weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly
- Frequently asked questions