Good morning, @1277.
Congrats on making your first post here on this platform. Allow me to provide you with some details about your question with payroll and withholdings.
With the PTO question, the best route would be to put a check within the Do Not Accrue box at the bottom. This settings is for if you don't want time accrued when paying sick/vacation/overtime. Here's an article that gives more information: Set up and track time off in payroll.
Furthermore, the system is designed to withhold/not withhold based on different situation. Depending on the situation of the out of cycle check it may require taxes to be withheld, if you wish to remove them you'll have to do so manually.
If you have any other questions along the way, don't hesitate to ask. We're always here to lend a helping hand. Bye for now!