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

# Deductions

> Zambia PAYE and NAPSA presets plus custom deductions applied per staff or globally.

Deductions reduce gross pay before net is calculated. DishInk ships four presets tuned for Zambian restaurants and supports fully custom deductions on top.

## Presets

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Zambia Standard" icon="landmark">
    **PAYE 25%** + **NAPSA 5%**. The default for most staff.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Basic" icon="circle-minus">
    Only NAPSA 5%. Suits low-income staff below the PAYE threshold.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Full Package" icon="list-check">
    PAYE + NAPSA + Health Insurance + Skills Levy. For senior staff on comprehensive packages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hospitality" icon="utensils">
    PAYE + NAPSA + Uniform Levy + Meal Deduction. Bundled for front-of-house staff.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Frame caption="Deductions tab with preset chips and per-staff assignment.">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/staff/payroll-deductions.png" alt="Deductions" />
</Frame>

## Assigning a preset

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Deductions tab">
    **Staff → Payroll → Deductions**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose scope">
    Assign a preset to a single staff member, a role, or the whole team as a default.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a preset">
    Click the preset chip.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust rates if needed">
    You can override any individual line (for example, drop PAYE to 20% for a specific staff member).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Future payroll records use the new preset.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Creating a custom deduction

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Custom Deduction">
    Opens the deduction editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name and describe">
    Example: "Locker fee", "Late fine", "Loan repayment".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose type">
    Percentage of gross, fixed amount per period, or one-off.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign">
    Select staff members. One-off deductions apply once and expire.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Appears on the next generated pay slip.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How deductions interact with net pay

1. Gross pay is calculated (hours or salary + commission).
2. Tips are added.
3. Percentage deductions are calculated on **gross pay** (not gross + tips) unless the deduction is configured otherwise.
4. Fixed and one-off deductions are subtracted.
5. Approved salary advances scheduled for this period are subtracted.
6. **Net pay** = the remainder.

If **Allow negative net pay** is off (see [Payroll Settings](/staff/payroll/settings)), deductions cap at gross so net is never below zero. Residual deductions defer to the next period.

## Statutory reference (Zambia)

| Deduction        | Rate                               | Basis                                      |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| PAYE             | 25% (illustrative simplified band) | Employee — subtract from gross.            |
| NAPSA            | 5% employee + 5% employer          | Employee portion only appears on pay slip. |
| Health Insurance | Configurable                       | Depends on employer scheme.                |
| Skills Levy      | Employer-side                      | Not shown on pay slip.                     |

<Warning>
  PAYE bands change with Zambian budget cycles. Review presets after every budget announcement or consult your accountant. The **Zambia Standard** preset uses a simplified single-rate model — confirm with your tax advisor before using in production.
</Warning>

## Tips and best practices

* Start with **Zambia Standard** and only diverge when finance requests it.
* Add loan repayments and locker fees as **custom deductions**, never as ad-hoc pay slip edits.
* Use one-off deductions for fines and short-term recovery items.
* Communicate any new deduction to affected staff *before* the pay run, not after.

## Common mistakes

* **Applying PAYE to below-threshold staff.** Use the Basic preset instead.
* **Double-counting NAPSA.** Only the employee portion appears on the pay slip; the employer side is a business expense, not a staff deduction.
* **Custom deduction with no end date.** For loan repayments, always set the total amount or duration to avoid over-recovery.

## Related pages

* [Payroll Overview](/staff/payroll/overview)
* [Generating Payroll](/staff/payroll/generating)
* [Pay Slips & Breakdown](/staff/payroll/pay-slips)
* [Payroll Settings](/staff/payroll/settings)
* [Salary Advances](/staff/payroll/advances)