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Employee Deductions

1 min read

The DMS supports flexible employee deductions that can be applied during payroll processing. Deductions allow you to subtract statutory contributions, taxes, or internal charges from an employee’s gross pay in a controlled and auditable manner.

The deduction workflow is done in two main steps:

  1. Define deduction types
  2. Assign deduction values to employees

Step 1: Define Deduction Types #

Before deductions can be applied to employees, they must first be defined in the system.

Go to: Payroll → Deductions

Each deduction represents a deduction category that can later be assigned to one or more employees.

Common Deduction Examples (Kenya) #

You can define deductions such as:

  • Pay As You Earn (PAYE) – Income tax deducted based on taxable pay
  • National Social Security Fund (NSSF) – Statutory pension contribution
  • Social Health Authority (SHA) – Health contribution (formerly NHIF)
  • Housing Levy – Statutory housing contribution
  • Lost or Damaged Items

Deduction Fields Explained #

  • Deduction Name
    The name of the deduction (e.g. PAYE, NSSF, Lost Items).
  • Tax Deductible
    Indicates whether this deduction reduces the employee’s taxable income.
    • If enabled, the deduction is applied before tax calculation.
    • Common examples: Pension contributions, NSSF (depending on rules).
  • Description
    Optional explanation of what the deduction is used for or how it is applied.

Once saved, the deduction becomes available for assignment to employees.

Step 2: Assign Deductions to Employees #

After defining deductions, you can assign them to specific employees with custom values.

Go to: Payroll → Employee Deductions

Each record here links:

  • An employee
  • A deduction
  • A calculation rule

Employee Deduction Configuration #

When assigning a deduction to an employee, you define how it should be calculated:

Rate Type #

Determines how the deduction amount is calculated:

  • Flat Rate – A fixed monetary amount (e.g. KES 2,000)
  • Percentage – A percentage of salary or taxable income (e.g. 6%)

Rate #

The actual value:

  • For flat rate: currency amount
  • For percentage: percentage value

Duration #

Controls how long the deduction applies:

  • One-time
  • Recurring
  • Fixed period (depending on configuration)

Model Type & Scope #

Defines what the deduction is linked to (e.g. a product that is lost).

Description #

Optional notes specific to this employee’s deduction (e.g. Loan repayment for January–June).

Payroll Impact #

  • Employee deductions are automatically applied during payroll processing
  • Tax-deductible deductions reduce taxable income before PAYE is calculated
  • Non-tax-deductible deductions are applied after tax
  • All deductions are tracked, auditable, and visible in payroll records

Access Control & Visibility #

  • Users with payroll permissions can view and manage all employee deductions
  • Employees may only see deductions assigned to them (depending on role permissions)

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Employee DeductionsEmployee Deductions
Table of Contents
  • Step 1: Define Deduction Types
    • Common Deduction Examples (Kenya)
    • Deduction Fields Explained
  • Step 2: Assign Deductions to Employees
    • Employee Deduction Configuration
      • Rate Type
      • Rate
      • Duration
      • Model Type & Scope
      • Description
  • Payroll Impact
  • Access Control & Visibility

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