Before you process pay in a new company or tax year, you must set up your payroll calendar. The calendar stores default payment dates for each pay period so you don’t have to enter them every time.

Each payroll submission to Revenue includes the payment date for every employee. The payment date must reflect the actual day you pay your employees.

If you need to change pay dates, you can set a new pay period or edit an existing one.

Create a new payroll calendar

1. Go to Company/Payroll, then select Calendar.
2. Go to the New Calendar tab, then Select dates to display.
3. Configure date display settings to remove any fields you don't need.
4. Complete the following fields:
   • Pay Date: Enter the first pay date for the current tax year

     This is the date employees receive payment, and it needs to appear in your submission on each employee’s Earnings, Tax & PRSI (ETP) tab. Even if you start mid-tax year, enter the period one pay date. For example, if you pay employees on Fridays, enter the first Friday of the tax year.

   • Cheque Date: If you pay by cheque, enter the date you’ll issue the first cheque
   • Giro Date: If you pay by giro, enter the date you’ll issue the first giro
   • Bank Date: If you pay by bank transfer, enter the date employees receive payment, not the transfer processing date

     Even if you process transfers earlier, enter the actual payday, for example, Friday.

   • Valid Pay Days: If you pay monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, select the valid pay days
   • Nominal Start: Enter the month your nominal period allocation begins
     

     You can post nominal values directly into Sage Accounting.

   • No. of days between Pay Date and...: Enter the number of days between the actual pay date and the processing date for cheques, giros, or transfers
5. In the Financial Year Details section, select one of the following:
   • Financial Year is the same as Tax Year (January - December): If both run from January to December
   • Financial Year will end after period: If your financial year differs from the tax year, enter the final period number
     Choosing either option ensures you receive a reminder to clear your financial year balances.
6. Select Update, then review the Calendar Details tab and edit if required.

If you entered incorrect information, repeat these steps to recreate the calendar with the correct details.

Edit an existing calendar

NOTE: You don't need to edit your calendar to process an extra pay period at year end. Check if you have an extra pay period.

1. Go to Company/Payroll, then select Calendar.
2. Amend the required dates, then select Save.

Set up the 2025 tax calendar