Abstract: A method to generate a sample paycheck includes receiving, by a computer processor and from a user, a reduced portion of employee setup data prior to receiving a remainder portion of the employee setup data, where the reduced portion of employee setup data comprises at least partial employee payroll information, inputting the reduced portion of employee setup data into a payroll software application, dynamically generating, by the computer processor and prior to receiving the remainder portion, the sample paycheck based on the reduced portion, presenting the sample paycheck to the user, where the sample paycheck is dynamically generated and presented as the reduced portion of employee setup data is inputted, and receiving, in response to presenting the sample paycheck to the user, the remainder portion for use by the payroll software application during generation of a legal paycheck for the user.