Payroll services for small businesses
Payroll run on time, every time, with the filings behind it handled: federal and state payroll taxes, quarterly returns, W-2s and new-hire reporting. Set up in Gusto, or managed in the payroll system you already use.
Starting at $50 per employee a month, up to $100 depending on complexity. Everything included.
Payroll problems I fix
- Payroll runs, but nobody checks the tax filings
- Late Form 941 or state filings and penalty notices
- Employees and contractors mixed up
- S-corp owner not on payroll, or paid wrong
- Payroll not matching the books
- Year-end W-2s that don't match quarterly returns
Who this is for
Small businesses with employees, from one S-corp owner on payroll to a restaurant or clinic with a full team.
What's included
- Payroll setup or a review of your current setup
- Each payroll run checked before it's approved
- Federal and state payroll tax deposits and returns (Form 941, Form 940, state withholding and unemployment)
- New-hire reporting and employee onboarding in the payroll system
- W-2s and W-3 at year end
- Payroll recorded correctly in your books every period
- Owner payroll for S-corp shareholders
- Answers when employees have pay questions
Payroll systems I work with
Gusto, ADP, Paychex, OnPay and SurePayroll. New setups usually go in Gusto.
What affects the price
Number of employees, pay frequency, number of states, tips, and benefits or deductions.
What payroll really costs
An employee earns $4,000 gross for the month.
| Employee's Social Security and Medicare (withheld, 7.65%) | $306 |
| Employer's Social Security and Medicare (7.65%) | $306 |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA, net 0.6% on the first $7,000 a year) | $24 |
| State unemployment | Varies by state |
Made-up numbers. Federal and state income tax withholding also comes out of the employee's pay.
How it works
- 1
Free call and quote
We count employees, states and pay schedules.
- 2
Setup or review
New payroll set up, or your current system checked for errors.
- 3
Every pay period
I review the run before you approve it and record it in your books.
- 4
Quarterly and year end
Payroll tax returns, W-2s and a check that everything ties out.
What I need from you
- Employee details (W-4 and state forms) or access to your payroll system
- Your federal EIN and state payroll account numbers
- Pay rates, schedules and any benefits
- Who approves each payroll
Documents go through my secure client portal, never email.
Payroll questions
Do you handle multiple states?
Yes. Each state adds registration and filings, which is reflected in the quote.
Can you fix past payroll mistakes?
Often, yes: amended quarterly returns (Form 941-X) and corrected W-2s (W-2c). We look at what happened first.
Do I need payroll as an S-corp owner?
If you work in your S-corp, the IRS expects you to take a reasonable salary through payroll before distributions.
What's the difference between an employee and a contractor?
It depends on control and independence, not on what you call the person. Misclassifying employees can lead to back taxes and penalties.
Want payroll off your plate?
Book a free call, or send a message about your business.