Payroll planning guide
Payroll cutoff to pay date business days
Payroll cutoff to pay date business days ties together the cutoff, processing window, and final pay date. This guide shows how to plan weekly and biweekly runs, account for bank holidays and company closures, and use a business day calculator to test scenarios without promising dates.
Published: December 28, 2025 · Updated: December 28, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only; not legal, HR, tax, or financial advice.
- Examples are illustrative and simplified.
- Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
- See the Privacy Policy; do not share personal payroll or employee data.
Quick answer: payroll cutoff to pay date business days
- Payroll timelines usually have three parts: cutoff, processing, pay date.
- Weekends and bank holidays can extend the calendar span.
- Save scenarios to compare different cutoff times and closure days.
The basic payroll timeline
First set the cutoff date and time. Next set the processing window in business days. Finally set the pay date and any bank posting time you assume. Providers and banks vary, so match their rules before you publish a schedule.
Weekly and biweekly examples
Example A: Weekly payroll
Inputs: cutoff Monday 17:00, processing 3 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, holidays off. Illustrative pay date: Friday of the same week.
Example B: Biweekly payroll
Inputs: cutoff Wednesday 17:00, processing 4 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, holidays off. Illustrative pay date: following Wednesday.
How holidays and closures change pay dates
Bank holidays can pause processing or shift the pay date. Company closure days can delay approvals or file uploads. Year-end clusters and long weekends often add extra calendar time, so include them when you plan.
How to add bank holidays and company closures
Use the holiday preset that matches your region, then add custom dates for company closures or local bank days. See the custom holidays guide for steps.
- Pick the country preset and correct year.
- Enable holiday exclusions.
- Add custom closure dates with clear labels.
- Recalculate and review skipped days.
Worked scenario table
| Scenario | Cutoff | Processing days | Holidays and closures | Estimated pay date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline weekly | Mon 17:00 | 3 business days | None | Friday (illustrative) |
| With bank holiday | Mon 17:00 | 3 business days | One midweek bank holiday | Following Monday (illustrative) |
| With company closure | Mon 17:00 | 3 business days | One closure day added | Following Tuesday (illustrative) |
How to run payroll scenarios in the tool
- Start date = cutoff date (or effective start if cutoff time applies).
- Add business days = processing window.
- Choose weekend pattern and holiday preset.
- Add custom closures.
- Pick forward or backward adjustment if needed.
FAQ
What does payroll cutoff mean?
It is the latest time to submit changes for a pay period. Anything after cutoff usually rolls to the next cycle.
How many business days for payroll processing?
It varies by provider. Many teams plan several business days for processing and bank posting. Follow your provider’s guidance.
Do bank holidays affect payroll?
Yes. Bank holidays and company closures can delay processing and pay dates. Add them to your calculation.
What if cutoff is after hours?
A cutoff time can move late submissions to the next business day. Document the time and timezone clearly.
How do I plan weekly vs biweekly payroll?
Set the cutoff, processing window, and pay day for each cadence, then test with a business day calculator and your holiday list.
Can I add company closure days?
Yes. Add custom holidays for closure days and rerun the scenario so dates reflect your schedule.
Why did the estimated pay date move?
Weekend patterns, bank holidays, cutoff times, or an adjustment rule can shift the final date.
Is this legal, HR, or tax advice?
No. This is educational guidance. Match your internal policy and provider rules and seek professional advice if needed.