✅ Common reasons to create an off-cycle payroll
Use an off-cycle payroll when you need to:
Pay missed earnings
An employee was accidentally left out or underpaid in the main run.Issue final pay
A departing employee needs to be paid before the next scheduled pay date.Process bonuses or adjustments
You’re paying a one-time bonus, commission, or retroactive adjustment.Make a manual correction
You need to fix an error for one employee without reprocessing the full run.Reimburse expenses
A taxable or non-taxable reimbursement needs to be paid separately.
🚫 When not to use an off-cycle payroll
Avoid using off-cycle payrolls for:
Paying all employees on a regular pay date
(Use your regular payroll schedule instead)Correcting previously submitted government filings
(Use amendments or overrides for that purpose)
📝 Things to keep in mind
Tip: For final pay, always complete the regular payroll first. This ensures proper CPP, EI, and tax treatment.
Note: Off-cycle payrolls still generate government remittances for applicable earnings, even if you process the payment manually.