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Payroll & Benefits

Overpayments

Overview

Overpayments may occur due to administrative error, job records not ended on time, work schedule/default hours not ended correctly, or data entry/time reporting errors during time entry. Both the employing unit and University Payroll & Benefits (UPB) have responsibilities to resolve overpayment situations pursuant to OBFS Policy and/or Internal Revenue Code (Publication 15).

Department Responsibility | UPB Responsibility | Overpayment Collection Process | Overpayment Service Fee | Service Fee Appeals Process | Overpayment Process Guide for Units | Additional Overpayment Situations/Information

Departmental Responsibility

The employing unit is responsible for notifying the employee of the overpayment. The unit is also responsible for notifying University Payroll & Benefits to initiate the collection process for overpayments by submitting an Overpayment Adjustment in the Adjustment Notification Application (ANA).

Sample overpayment notification letter for units

Employing units will be responsible for a service fee for overpayment amounts collected.

The following table provides a guideline to resolving overpayments based on the disposition of the payment.

Status of Payment

Transaction

Adjustment

Result

Current pay period, not calculated Current Pay Adjustment (PARIS) N/A Overpayment prevented*
Current pay period, not distributed Pay Stop
(ANA)
Submit Prior Underpayment Adjustment for correct pay due (PARIS) Overpayment prevented*
Prior pay period Overpayment Adjustment
(ANA)
N/A Initiate collection process

*These transactions do not result in assessment of the Payroll Service Fee.

Note: If a job record error is the cause of the overpayment, the department representative must submit a HR Front End (HRFE) transaction as required.

  • Employing units should act as a liaison between UPB and the employee, ensuring that the employee understands the procedures for collection as described below under Overpayment Collection Process.
  • Unit representatives should facilitate contact with UPB Customer Service in order to assist the employee in making repayment arrangements, or to request a review.

When arrangements are agreed upon, the employing unit must inform the employee of possible tax implications. Employing units will receive notification from UPB regarding terms of any arrangements made.

Overpayments Involving Sponsored Projects (Grants)

If an overpayment involves a grant, Federal agriculture, special state appropriations or any other fund that may change or close before recapture, the unit should follow this process:

  • Transfer the overpaid amount of the Grant to an unrestricted FOAPAL in PZAREDS - Labor Redistribution
  • Wait until the next business day
  • Complete the Overpayment Adjustment transaction in ANA
    • Enter the unrestricted FOAPAL to credit
    • Enter an appropriate unrestricted FOAPAL to charge the Payroll Service Fee
    • Fill out Form GC-91 - Documentation of Payroll Overpayments Charged to Sponsored Projects if any portion of the pay period correctly contains sponsored projects or grant funding after labor redistributions
    • If you are not the person responsible for filling out the GC-91, you may email the form link along with the ANA transaction number to the responsible individual.
    • Send the completed form to the Principal Investigator (PI) within 10 days
    • Select the check box in the ANA transaction certifying completion of required Labor Redistributions and submission of the GC-91 form to Grants & Contracts
  • Contact local Grants & Contracts office if additional assistance is needed

UPB Responsibility

Processing

It is the responsibility of University Payroll & Benefits to process overpayment adjustment transactions following the collection process guideline. In general, each transaction will be processed promptly to ensure collection where possible.

ANA Transaction

Processing Deadline

Pay Stop (ANA)**

5 pm 2 days before payday

Current Pay Adjustment (PARIS)

See Payroll Schedule
Normally 10 am Wednesday for Bi-Weekly scheduled calc

Overpayment Adjustment (ANA)

Day before payday - present

**A Pay Stop request will stop payment on any active job the employee holds for that pay event.

Communication

UPB will use the employee's mailing address (MA) or permanent address (PR) in Banner for all correspondence in reference to overpayments along with an electronic copy via email. The contact person for the employing unit identified in the ANA transaction will receive an electronic copy.

When an employee enters into a repayment arrangement, UPB will notify the unit contact of the terms.

Upon full collection of an overpayment, the employing unit and the employee will receive an "Overpayment Closed Notification" letter.

An overpayments report is available in Mobius View (formerly View Direct) at the beginning of each month providing details on the prior month's overpayment activity.

Overpayment Collection Process

UPB Collection Process is determined by:

  • The status of the pay event (disposition of pay event)
  • The status of the employee (active, terminated)
  • The gross amount (less than or greater than 20% of regular gross pay)
  • Whether the overpayment occurred in the current tax year or a previous tax year (Internal Revenue Code - Publication 15)

If an overpayment cannot be prevented and the employee receives the overpaid amount, the employing unit must initiate the overpayment (ANA) process and notify the employee of the overpayment. UPB will notify the employee and begin collection activities.

If an overpayment cannot be prevented and the employee does not receive the overpaid amount because the unit does not distribute the payment (paper check), the employing unit must initiate the overpayment (ANA) process and return the original check to UPB with the completed Return Payroll Checks/Overpayment Remittance Form.

Overpayment Service Fee

Units will be charged the Payroll Service Fee for overpayment amounts collected:

  • 6% of all amounts collected
  • Assessed monthly on previous month's collection activity
  • Fee will be posted to the C-FOAPAL overpaid, or as indicated in ANA
  • Fee will post by automated Journal Voucher process at the beginning of each month
  • Current Pay Event adjustments and Pay Stops in ANA will not be assessed the service fee

Other posting considerations:

  • Description on journal voucher transaction will be "Payroll Service Fee" and will identify UIN and Pay Period
  • To transfer charges to a different FOAPAL, a JV will need to be initiated by the unit
  • Corrections to JV entries related to the Payroll Service Fee will be limited to the current fiscal year only

Service Fee Appeals Process

  • If a service fee is thought to be unfair, the unit should contact their university Payroll Customer Service center
  • Appeal must occur within same fiscal year as the fee
  • Customer Service representatives can determine if the fee should be refunded
  • Option is available to meet with UPB Management if agreement cannot be reached with Customer Service Representative
  • Meeting will be set up to occur within 30 days of the request (except near the fiscal year end)
  • Decision regarding the refund will be rendered within 5 business days
  • Fee will be refunded/reversed at the end of each month

Overpayment Process Guide for Units

The following steps will aid employing units in following the collection process.

Step 1: Initiate Process
  • Correct job records.
  • If required, process Labor Redistributions (PZAREDS) and wait until the next business day.
  • Process ANA transaction (Overpayment Adjustment)
  • Complete GC-91 if sponsored project (grant) funds remain on the pay period overpaid.  Submit to PI within 10 days.
  • Notify the employee of the overpayment (Sample notification letter for units)
  • If the unit is holding the paper check they should indicate in the ANA comments, "Holding original payroll check and returning to UPB."
  • Identify C-FOAPAL(s) to credit overpayment repayments and to charge Payroll Service Fees.

Step 2: Receive UPB's Notification

Receive Notification from UPB

  • If the gross amount of overpayment is 20% or less of the regular gross pay, UPB will send an "Overpayment Notification" to the employee and the unit indicating the overpayment amount.
  • If the overpayment amount is more than 20% of the regular gross pay, UPB will send an "Overpayment Notification" to the employee and the unit indicating the overpayment amount. The employee will be given a two-week deadline to contact UPB to make repayment arrangements or to request a review.

Step 3: UPB collection process

  • If the unit is holding the paper check, return it to UPB with the completed Return Payroll Checks/Overpayment Remittance Form. UPB will send the unit and employee an "Overpayment Closed" notification when the overpayment amount has been fully recaptured. Unit must submit any correcting adjustments if needed.
  • If the gross overpayment amount is 20% or less of the regular gross pay, UPB will collect the overpayment amount from the next available pay event or adjustment. When UPB recaptures the overpayment, the unit and employee will receive an "Overpayment Closed" notification.
  • If the gross overpayment amount is more than 20% of the regular gross pay, UPB will collect the overpayment amount from the next available pay event or adjustment after the deadline on the Overpayment Notification.
    • If employee has active payroll, UPB will attempt to recapture overpayment amount on upcoming pay events following the deadline until fully recovered.
    • If the entire overpayment can be recaptured in the current calendar year, UPB will reduce the gross wages on upcoming pay events until full payment has been collected.
    • If the overpayment cannot be recaptured in the current calendar year, UPB will process a partial reversal to credit the departmental expense account for deductions withheld. Employee's W-2 record will be appropriately adjusted as defined by IRS Code. UPB will set up a payroll recapture deduction (MPP) to recapture the net amount owed.
    • If the employee is terminated or inactive, payment can be delivered to UPB Customer Service. UPB will process a partial reversal to credit the departmental expense account for deductions withheld. Once full payment has been received, the employees' W-2 record will be appropriately adjusted as defined by IRS Code.

Step 4: Facilitate Communication with Employee

Once the Overpayment Notification Letter has been received from UPB, the unit should be prepared to communicate with the employee and UPB Customer Service.
  • If employee requests to repay overpayment with personal check, money order or cash, the net amount owed needs to be requested from UPB by contacting UPB Customer Service. Employee may take payment directly to UPB Customer Service or to the unit along with the "Overpayment Notification" showing net amount owed. If unit receives payment, see instructions in step 5 below.
  • If employee desires to make repayment arrangements in order to spread out payments, then UPB Customer Service must be contacted to set up a repayment schedule. UPB will notify unit of the terms of the arrangement.
  • If employee requests a review of the overpayment, a meeting will be set up within 30 days with the individual, unit representative and the Director of UPB (or designee) in order to seek resolution. Please contact UPB Customer Service to request a review.

Step 5a: Unit Collection Process - checks / money order / cash payments

  • Submit the payments collected via check or money order from the employee to UPB Customer Service within 2 business days of receipt, enclosed with the Return Payroll Checks/Overpayment Remittance Form.
  • For cash payments, refer the employee to UPB Customer Service for depositing.

OR

Step 5b: Collection Process for terminated or inactive employees

  • UPB identifies overpayments with no repayment activity within the past 90 days. These are entered as a General Accounts Receivable in Banner at the beginning of each month.
  • If the employee is in terminated or inactive status, University Bursar will attempt to contact the individual by sending two letters followed up w/ phone calls in an effort to collect overpayment owed.
  • If no response is received from the employee and after 180 days, the debt is sent to the Illinois State Comptroller for collection.

Step 6: Credit posted from UPB

Upon receipt/recapture of overpayment amounts, UPB will credit your departmental expense account for the

FULL

gross overpayment amount within 5-10 business days unless otherwise communicated.

Step 7: Payroll Service Fee posted

At the beginning of each month, UPB will post a mass journal voucher to assess the Payroll Service Fee for all overpayment collections from the prior month. The Overpayments report will be available for viewing in Mobius View (formerly View Direct) at the beginning of each month.

Additional Overpayment Situations/Information

 

  • Overpayments that span fiscal years - If an overpayment occurs in one fiscal year and the repaid funds are received from the employee in a new fiscal year, the funds will be credited to the department's account for the current fiscal year. Funds on state accounts lapse and will not be credited if received from the employee in a new fiscal year, unless they are received prior to the end of the lapse accounting processing period. The funds will revert to the State if received after the lapse processing period. It is recommended that the unit redistribute the payment to another fund to ensure proper credit when amount is repaid.
  • Overpayments that span calendar years - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has defined the calendar year (January 1 through December 31) as the reporting period for which salary and wage payments are reported on Form W-2. The IRS has defined the method of constructive receipt to determine which calendar year a payment is reported in. If salary and wage payments are available to employees any time during the calendar year, the payments are considered paid in that year and reportable on Form W-2 for that calendar year. If a repaid amount is received in a subsequent year, UPB cannot adjust the wages on a W-2 for the year in which the payment was received. See IRS Publication 15 for more information on Wage Repayments.
  • The University of Illinois System may only adjust the Medicare and or Social Security taxes, if applicable, for a prior calendar year by issuing Form W-2C, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement. Because the employee received and had use of the funds during that tax year, wages paid in error in a prior year remain taxable to the employee for the year in which they were received.
  • To recover income tax on repaid wages the employee is entitled to either a deduction or credit, depending on the amount repaid, on his/her income tax return in the year the wages were repaid. The employee should not file an amended tax return. UPB will issue a statement of receipt of funds indicating the amount repaid from an overpayment in a previous year. The individual can offset income on his/her tax return in the year in which the repayment was made. The statement of receipt can be used to determine the amount to offset.
  • If an employee is not active because he/she is on leave, lay-off, or has sporadic employment, then the unit may notify payroll of the expected return-to-work date in order to facilitate better collection results.
  • Workers compensation claims resulting in an overpayment should be reported immediately.
  • When UPB processes the reversal or credit transaction for the overpayment, the full amount for Tax Deferred Annuity (403B) deductions may not be recaptured. When this occurs, UPB will charge departments for any shortages that transpire. Shortages may occur due to market fluctuations that result in a reduced market value for the contribution originally invested.
  • Please notify UPB immediately if you learn an overpaid employee has transferred or recently become active in a different unit/department/org.

For assistance with payroll overpayments, please contact UPB through the University Payroll & Benefits Service Portal.

Policy on overpayments can be found in Section 4, Payroll of the Business and Financial Policies and Procedures manual.

Last Updated: October 08, 2019

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