---
title: "Set Up Custom Pay Periods"
slug: "set-up-custom-pay-periods"
updated: 2024-09-18T19:06:51Z
published: 2024-09-18T19:06:51Z
canonical: "www.procaresupport.com/set-up-custom-pay-periods"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.procaresupport.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set Up Custom Pay Periods

A custom pay period is any non-standard period of time outside the standards like weekly, every 2 weeks, twice per month, etc. You may select start dates for each period as far into the future as you would like.

## Getting There

1. From the Procare Home screen go to *Configuration > System > Locations & Users >* dbl-click [*Regions & Schools.*](/procare-desktop/docs/regions-and-schools)
2. Click once on the *Region Name *to select it then click the *Set Options* button (bottom of screen).
3. On the left choose the category *Employee Data* and scroll down to the *Pay Period Information* section.

## Choose Custom Pay Periods

1. Choose “Custom” as the *Pay Period Type.*
2. Ignore the two boxes directly below the Pay Period Type called *Pay Period Start Date 1* and *Start Date 2.* These are not used for a custom setting.  

Instead, click the *Custom Periods* button (bottom of screen) and enter the *Start Date* for the first pay period. Continue adding additional start dates for future pay periods as far ahead as you wish to plan

![image](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.procaresoftware.com/pdfs/Support+Site+Images/Desktop/Activity+Manager/Set+Up+Custom+Pay+Periods+1130_1.jpg)

**Hint:** Although not required, it’s helpful to enter *Start Dates* for the entire calendar year. When you calculate new checks, the most recently ended pay period will be selected automatically; however, you may choose a different one, as needed.

1. Click *Save > Exit.*  

See also: [Why Do Taxes Vary with Custom Pay Periods?](https://www.procaresupport.com/procare-desktop/docs/en/configuration-set-up#i-have-custom-pay-periods-why-do-taxes-vary-from-one-pay-period-to-another).