How To Fix H1604 - You cannot specify a percentage value for basic pay

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: H1 - Messages Used in HR Funds and Position Management

• Message number: 604

• Message text: You cannot specify a percentage value for basic pay

What causes this issue?

You are defining default values for different expenditure types. Even
though the <ls>Expenditure type</> field is empty, you have specified a
percentage value. You cannot do this.
To define default values that do not apply to allowances (expenditure
type blank), you must specify an amount, a currency, and a time base.
You can only specify a percentage value for allowances.

System Response

No further processing possible.

How to fix this error?

Delete your input, or enter values for other expenditure types.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message H1604 - You cannot specify a percentage value for basic pay ?

  The SAP error message H1604, "You cannot specify a percentage value for basic pay," typically occurs in the context of employee compensation management, particularly when trying to set up or modify an employee's basic pay in the SAP Human Capital Management (HCM) module.
  Cause:
  This error arises when a user attempts to enter a percentage value for the basic pay field in the employee's infotype (usually Infotype 0008 - Basic Pay). The basic pay field is expected to contain a fixed amount (currency value) rather than a percentage. This is a common requirement in SAP, as basic pay is generally defined as a specific monetary amount rather than a percentage of some other value.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should:
  
  
  Check the Input Value: Ensure that you are entering a fixed amount in the basic pay field instead of a percentage. For example, instead of entering "10%" or "50%", you should enter a specific amount like "5000" or "60000" (depending on the currency).
  
  
  Review Configuration: If you believe that a percentage should be allowed (for example, in cases of variable pay or bonuses), you may need to review the configuration settings in the SAP system. This may involve:
  
  Checking the wage type configuration in the SAP HCM module.
  Ensuring that the wage type for basic pay is set up correctly to accept only fixed amounts.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for guidance on how to properly enter compensation data. This can provide insights into the expected formats and values for different fields.
  
  
  User Training: If this error is occurring frequently, consider providing training to users on how to correctly enter compensation data in SAP.
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists and you believe it is a system error or misconfiguration, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Infotype 0008 (Basic Pay): This infotype is used to maintain the basic pay details of an employee. It is crucial to ensure that the values entered comply with the expected formats.
  Wage Types: In SAP, wage types define how different components of pay are calculated and processed. Understanding the configuration of wage types can help in troubleshooting related issues.
  SAP HCM Configuration: Familiarity with the configuration settings in SAP HCM can help in understanding how to manage employee compensation effectively.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the H1604 error and correctly enter the basic pay for employees in the SAP system.