These are the steps to add a new garnishment for an employee (or edit an existing one). These element setups differ from other deduction elements in that garnishments have additional screens to allow handling of multiple garnishments, as well as formula setups and case number. Use Table is not an option for garnishments. Each employee element has its own setup and formula calculation.

Garnishment setup is located on the menu Employee – Elements. Add. Select the appropriate garnishment element. If deduction is a flat amount, enter the flat rate on this screen, as well as a max amount, if applicable. If deduction is a percentage, leave the rate blank on this screen and enter the percentage rate (later) on the formula screen. Enter the begin date (optional) and the vendor.

This example is a flat rate of 50.00 per pay with a maximum (life-to-date) goal amount of 5,000.00.

The list of garnishments for the employee will be displayed on the garnishments screen.

Click Save Seq Order button to hold the changes.

Garnishments will be processed in the order listed. To change the order, click to highlight a line and use the up/down arrows to sequence the proper order.

Click the Case Info button to enter the case number for the garnishment, if applicable.

Click the Formula button to define disposable income for this employee as well as how to calculate the garnishment amount for the element highlighted. Each garnishment element has its own formula setup. A formula must be established in order for garnishment deductions to be calculated! Garnishment Formulas screen:

Click Clone; Select an employee# and element# to clone an existing formula from another employee. .

Click Add to begin adding lines to the formula.

The formula you cloned is now presented. Make changed as needed.

To add a new line, click the Add icon.

To delete a line, click to highlight the line, and click the Delete icon.

To delete all lines, click the Clear All icon.

To rearrange lines, click to highlight the line; then click up/down arrows to move.

The help text for Garnishments (line beginning with Examples), contains a link to various samples of garnishment formula setups with explanation of each formula calculation. These may be referenced when adding a new garnishment for an employee or when there is not an existing formula to clone. Current federal and state laws must be adhered to for garnishment withholding.

Example formula for single child support:

If a formula is cloned, it is important to review the formula and make appropriate changes for this employee. If the cloned formula has additional garnishments (or different element#’s), you must delete these lines from the formula. If the employee you are now setting up has additional garnishments, you must add lines to include these existing garnishments when they play into the calculation for this garnishment. Also, the formula lines may differ if the garnishment withholding is setup as a LTD goal amount or a set amount to be withheld each pay.

Element Edit: when the rate is changed on the employee element setup, it is important to review the garnishment formula and make any necessary changes. For example, if an employee’s garnishment payment changes to a per pay rate (previously a LTD maximum with no per pay rate), it is important to modify the formula to incorporate the per pay rate after changing the rate on the element setup screen. See formula examples.

When the formula is complete, click OK.