Free template

Monthly Payroll Processing Checklist

A payroll checklist makes every monthly run follow the same steps — inputs, calculation, review, approval, payment and statutory deposits — so nothing is missed when the person who usually runs payroll is away.

Free, no sign-up. Works in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice. Columns marked “auto” are formulas.

Preview

#StageTaskOwnerDueDone?
1InputsFreeze attendance and leave for the monthHRDay 25☐
2InputsAdd new joiners with bank, PAN, UAN, ESI numbersHRDay 25☐
3InputsMark exits and hold salary for F&F where neededHRDay 25☐
4InputsCollect salary revisions, arrears, incentives, deductionsHRDay 26☐
5InputsUpdate investment declarations for TDSPayrollDay 26☐
6CalculateRun payroll and check employees with zero or negative payPayrollDay 27☐
7CalculateCompare totals with last month and explain variances above 5%PayrollDay 27☐
8CalculateCheck PF ceiling, ESI eligibility and PT slabs per statePayrollDay 27☐
9ApproveFinance review and approval of payroll registerFinanceDay 28☐
10PayGenerate and upload bank salary fileFinanceLast day☐
11PayRelease payslipsPayrollLast day☐
12StatutoryDeposit TDS on salaryFinance7th next month☐
13StatutoryDeposit PF (ECR) and ESIFinance15th next month☐
14StatutoryDeposit professional tax / LWF as per stateFinanceAs per state☐
15ClosePost payroll journal into accounts and reconcile salary payableAccounts5th next month☐

How to use this template

  • Statutory due dates: TDS by the 7th, PF and ESI by the 15th of the following month.
  • Keep a snapshot of every approved run so later changes are visible.

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