Key Takeaways − You can round employee time in some cases, but it must be neutral, not one-sided. Federal law (FLSA) allows rounding in small increments (e.g., 5, 6, or 15 minutes) if it does not consistently favor the employer. Rounding is illegal when it regularly shortchanges employees, especially minimum wage or overtime pay. Some […]
Read More When Is Rounding Employee Time Illegal?
Key Takeaways − When minimum wages conflict, you generally must pay the highest applicable rate. You may need to compare federal, state, and local (city/county) rules for each employee. Multi-state payroll means tracking different rates, different rules, and different effective dates. Document your process, update rates on time, and use tools like payroll software to […]
Read More Navigating Local, State, and Federal Minimum Wage Discrepancies
Key Takeaways − Tax laws change constantly, and payroll is usually the first place you feel it. You do not need to track every new rule yourself; your payroll system should do the heavy lifting. Future-proofing payroll means automating tax calculations, staying updated through your software, tightening your data, and standardizing processes. Patriot’s payroll software […]
Read More How to Future-proof Your Small Business Payroll Before Tax Laws Change (Again)
Key Takeaways − Payroll data is a top target because it contains sensitive details like Social Security numbers, bank info, and salary history. In 2026, the primary threats to small businesses are phishing, weak passwords, unsecured remote access, and human error. You don’t need a massive budget to stay safe; prioritize multi-factor authentication, encryption, and […]
Read More Payroll Data Security in 2026 and Beyond: How Small Businesses Can Stay Protected
As a business owner, running errands is inevitable. But sometimes, you are too busy to make the run yourself. You might send an employee to pick up something or handle a task for you. If you find yourself counting on employees to use their personal cars for business, consider offering mileage reimbursement. So, what is […]
Read More What Is Mileage Reimbursement? 2026 Rates and More
Key Takeaways − Cloud-based payroll lets you run payroll from anywhere with internet access (no office, server, or VPN needed). Your team can view pay stubs, update info, and access tax forms from their phones or laptops. Cloud systems typically offer automatic updates, data backups, and bank-level security. Desktop payroll ties you to one computer […]
Read More How Cloud-based Payroll Facilitates Remote Work and Mobile Access
Payroll has a lot of moving gears. From collecting time cards to withholding taxes, it can be, well, a lot. To simplify your payroll responsibilities and put more time back into your day for other tasks, you may consider getting payroll software. But, what’re the kinds of payroll system features you need to look out […]
Read More Top 7 Must-Have Payroll Software Features for Your Business
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?
Read More What Should Be in an Employee File? Payroll Recordkeeping Requirements
At some point, you might need to convert an independent contractor to an employee.
Read More How to Seamlessly Convert Contractors to Employees
Remote 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.
Read More The Best Guide to Paying and Managing Out-of-State Remote Employees (2026)