As an employer, it’s your responsibility to store records in an employee personnel file. From new hire documents to payroll information, there are a variety of documents (and some confidential information) you need to securely store and have on hand. So, what should be in an employee file?
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Payroll Tips, Training, and News
How to Seamlessly Convert Contractors to Employees
June 24, 2026At some point, you might need to convert an independent contractor to an employee.
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The Best Guide to Paying and Managing Out-of-State Remote Employees (2026)
June 24, 2026Remote work is becoming more common. If you hire remote workers who work in a different state than where your business is located, you need to know how to handle pay and employment issues.
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The Loyalty Tax: Why 60% of Workers Say Staying Hurts Their Pay
June 22, 2026A new Patriot Software survey of 1,000 U.S. adults who voluntarily switched jobs in the past five years found that 59.9% believe staying at one company for five or more years actively hurts their earning potential. Among Gen Z, that number climbs to 70.4%. These job hoppers’ personal experiences back up that belief: 60.6% of switchers […]
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Hidden Costs of Desktop Payroll Software: Maintenance and Upgrades
June 19, 2026Key Takeaways − Desktop payroll looks cheap upfront, but maintenance, upgrades, and IT support add up fast. Hidden costs include hardware, backups, security, patches, and time spent installing updates. Cloud-based payroll shifts work off your plate: updates, backups, and security are handled for you. If you’re spending too much time “babysitting” payroll software, it may […]
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Security Showdown: Cloud Payroll vs. Desktop Software
June 15, 2026Key Takeaways − Cloud payroll stores your data on secure, remote servers you access via the internet. Desktop payroll stores data on your own computer(s). Cloud vendors typically provide encryption, backups, and automatic updates. Desktop gives you physical control, but you’re also responsible for backups, updates, and security. Most small businesses today opt for cloud […]
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Paid Sick Leave Laws by State: The Chart, Map, & Accrual Info You Need
June 5, 2026Typically, employers get to choose whether they want to offer types of paid time off, like sick leave, to employees. But depending on your business location, you might not have a choice. Little by little, paid sick leave laws by state are on the rise.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Up on Past-due Payroll Taxes
June 2, 2026Key Takeaways − Falling behind on payroll taxes is serious but fixable if you act quickly. The IRS can add penalties, interest, liens, and even personal liability for some owners. Your priorities are to get current, gather records and calculate what you owe, file all missing returns, and set up a payment plan if needed. […]
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The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty: Personal Liability for Late Payroll Taxes
June 2, 2026Key Takeaways − The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) lets the IRS hold individuals personally liable when a business fails to pay certain payroll taxes. “Trust fund taxes” are the federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes you withhold from employees’ paychecks. If you don’t deposit or pay these taxes, the IRS can come after […]
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How to Request an Abatement of Payroll Tax Penalties from the IRS
June 1, 2026Key Takeaways − If you file or pay payroll taxes late, the IRS can charge costly penalties and interest. You may be able to get penalties reduced or removed (abated) if you qualify for First-Time Abatement (FTA), or can show reasonable cause (e.g., serious illness, natural disaster, records destroyed). To request abatement, you usually: confirm […]
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