Gross Payment
Show the total pre-tax severance, lump-sum payments, or installment amounts broken out by pay element so gross liability is clear to all parties.
A precise breakdown reduces disputes, ensures accurate payroll execution, and documents tax and benefit consequences for both parties. It improves transparency for HR, finance, and the signing employee while supporting compliance with withholding and reporting obligations.
HR, payroll, legal counsel, and finance typically collaborate to prepare the settlement breakdown before presenting it to the employee.
The employee and, when applicable, the employee’s counsel review the breakdown before signature to confirm accuracy and acceptance.
Show the total pre-tax severance, lump-sum payments, or installment amounts broken out by pay element so gross liability is clear to all parties.
Specify payroll tax withholding method (supplemental rate vs. aggregate), federal/state withholding amounts, and backup withholding triggers, including consequences of a missing TIN.
Itemize deductions such as wage garnishments, benefit premiums, 401(k) loan offsets, or repayment obligations with the amount and legal basis for each deduction.
State COBRA eligibility and election window, employer-sponsored insurance end date, life or disability continuation, and any employer-paid coverage period.
Document stock vesting treatment, equity acceleration, outplacement, or release of claims tied to payment milestones and conditions.
Give exact payment dates, payroll run deadlines, Form 1099/W-2 reporting expectations, and who bears tax-reporting obligations.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Block | Require signer name, signature, and date fields; place near financial summary. |
| Routing Order | Set HR → Legal → Payroll → Employee sequential approval. |
| Authentication | Use email verification plus optional SMS or ID review for higher assurance. |
| Audit Trail | Enable full completion certificates and IP/timestamp logs. |
Ensure your e-signature platform supports secure authentication, an auditable audit trail, and the file formats your payroll and legal teams need.
Select distribution channels that preserve the audit trail and meet recordkeeping policies, and ensure recipients can access signed copies without an account when permitted.
Specify the exact payroll run or calendar date for each disbursement.
Provide COBRA election window as required by ERISA and plan rules.
Report wages on W-2 or 1099 per IRS guidance and deadlines.
Note any statutory revocation window tied to releases, if applicable.
Begin retention clocks from the effective or payment date.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day trial | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies | Varies | Varies |
The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.
The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great.