Retention is an amount held back from a subcontractor's progress claim until the work is finished or defects are fixed.
The Sage 100 Contractor way
Where to find it: 4-2 Payable Invoices/Credits with 6-7-1 Subcontracts
- Set the retention rate on the subcontract record.
- Enter the subcontract invoice with the Subcontract# box.
- Retention is withheld at the subcontract rate.
- Release retention on one invoice or for the whole subcontract when due.
Limits in Sage 100 Contractor
- Retention is excluded from invoice aging.
- US construction rules are used.
Good to know in Sage 100 Contractor
- No new invoice is needed to pay retention.
Words Sage 100 Contractor uses
- Retention. Money held back from a subcontractor invoice until the job milestone is met.
- Subcontract. A contract record with a subcontractor that invoices are checked against.
Example in Sage 100 Contractor
Example Concrete Subcontractors sends a progress claim for $20,000 on a subcontract with a 10% retention rate.
| Line | Amount | Tagged to |
|---|---|---|
| Payable now | $18,000.00 | Job: Example Job A |
| Retention withheld | $2,000.00 | Held on subcontract |
Retention of $2,000.00 is withheld at the subcontract rate and $18,000.00 is payable now. It stays out of aging until released.
Common mistakes
- Entering a subcontract invoice before the retention rate is set on the subcontract.
- Expecting retention in the aging report.
More help
- How to record retention on a subcontractor invoice in Sage 300 CRE
- How to match a payable invoice to a purchase order in Sage 100 Contractor
- How to job cost payable invoice records in Sage 100 Contractor
- How to report contractor payments on Form 1099-NEC from Sage 100 Contractor
- How to record retention on a subcontractor bill (any system)
- All Sage 100 Contractor how-to guides
- Pulsify setup guides
Sources
Last checked 2026-10-19. Confidence: confirmed.
Common questions
Where is the retention rate set?
On the subcontract record. Retention is withheld at that rate when you enter the invoice with the Subcontract# box.
Do I need a new invoice to pay retention?
No. You release retention on one invoice or for the whole subcontract when due.
Does retention show in aging?
No. Retention is excluded from invoice aging.
Does Pulsify track retention?
No. Track retention in your accounting system or a schedule.
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