If you print paper paychecks to pay your employees, you need to make sure the checks print correctly on your check stock. If you handwrite checks or pay by direct deposit and only need to print pay stubs, you don't need to format a check layout. Pay stub information can print on plain paper.
The video below shows a walk-through on how to set up printed paychecks in payroll.
What you need to know before you print checks
You have two options for printing paper checks:
Use pre-printed check stock that contains your bank account number in MICR ink (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition), as required by financial institutions. Instructions are below.
Use blank check stock with MICR toner in your printer to print the routing and account number. See the article "How to Print Paychecks Using Blank Check Stock."
A few things to keep in mind about check printing:
Paychecks print one page at a time on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
The check can print on the top third or the bottom third of the page. The remaining two-thirds is used for pay stub details.
Patriot does not offer duplicate stubs on the same check.
If you use pre-printed checks, you can adjust where items print (name, date, dollar amount, employee name, check number, and so on) so they line up with your check stock. After you arrange the items, print a sample check to confirm the layout is correct.
How to edit paycheck printing options
Go to Settings > Payroll Settings > Paycheck Printing Options.
Select your printing method (see the options below).
Printing method options:
No Printing Needed: Choose this if you don't need to print checks or stubs because you offer direct deposit and give employees their pay stub information through the employee portal.
Check Stub Only: Choose this if you handwrite checks or offer direct deposit and don't need to print live checks. You'll print check stubs on blank paper. See "How Do I Format the Check Stub on My Paychecks?"
Check On Top: Your check stock prints one check per page, with the check on the top third of the page.You can also choose to remember the last check number used by checking the box below the print settings with this check type.
Check On Bottom: Your check stock prints one check per page, with the check on the bottom third of the page. You can also choose to remember the last check number used by checking the box below the print settings with this check type.
Contractor paycheck settings
If you pay contractors in payroll, you'll see a second Paying Contractors tab. Your contractor check layout is set separately from your employee check layout. If you use Patriot's Accounting software, your contractor check layout settings are shared with your vendor check layout settings.
The original article includes a screenshot showing a "check on top" example and a "check on bottom" example, so you can see how each layout positions the check on the page.
How to add paycheck or check stub display options
Below your Paycheck Printing Options, check the box beside each item you want to add to the paycheck or check stub:
Display Last 4 Digits of Employee SSN on Check Stub. By default, the SSN does not appear. Some states (for example, California) require the last four digits on the pay stub by law. Check with your state or local jurisdiction for requirements.
Display Tax Filing Name on Check Stub.
Display Business Name on Check Stub.
Show last check number used.
Print E-Signature on Checks (paycheck print option only). See "Adding an E-Signature to a Paycheck."
I need to print my bank account information on blank check stock (paycheck print option only). Use this if you use blank check stock. For more information, see "How To Print Paychecks Using Blank Check Stock."
To add the employee home address, or the company name and address, click Layout Adjustments and check the box beside each item you want.
The original article includes a screenshot showing the additional display options you can add to paychecks.
To change the display and placement of pre-printed check items (such as check date, amount, and employee name), see How Do I Format the Check Stub on Paychecks?