Running a business means meeting a lot of government requirements and following a number of laws. One of the first things to do when starting your business is apply for an FEIN. But, what is an FEIN? And, do you have to have one? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Read More What Is an FEIN? What to Know When Starting a New Business
Collecting, reporting, and remitting payroll taxes are some of your key responsibilities when you have employees. And if you forget or downright neglect your responsibility, your small business could receive a penalty for not paying payroll taxes.
Read More What Happens If Payroll Taxes Are Filed or Paid Late?
If you have an employee who lives in one state but drives across the border to work in yours, you might assume you need to withhold and remit income tax to both states. In some cases, you don’t. A number of neighboring states have worked out reciprocity agreements that let cross-border employees pay income tax […]
Read More Which States Have Reciprocal Agreements … and What Does That Mean?
You must withhold the right amount of taxes on employee wages when paying employees. But what if you need to pay an independent contractor? To keep tax information straight between independent contractors and employees, you need to know the difference between Form W-9 vs. W-4. Read on for the scoop.
Read More Form W-9 vs. W-4: What Are the Right Forms for Employees and Contractors?
Hired your first employee? Check. Set a start date? Check. Ready to process payroll? Not quite yet. Before you can start paying your employees, there are a few steps you need to know and some terms to learn. This handy payroll 101 guide explains how to set up payroll the right way so you can […]
Read More How to Set up Payroll for a Small Business
Employers juggle many responsibilities, including calculating and withholding payroll taxes and other deductions. But, what exactly does payroll taxes include? And, how do you know how much to withhold from employees’ wages? If you’re wondering about understanding payroll taxes, never fear. Your payroll taxes breakdown is here.
Read More What Are Payroll Taxes?
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 − 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 […]
Read More Hidden Costs of Desktop Payroll Software: Maintenance and Upgrades
Key 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 […]
Read More Security Showdown: Cloud Payroll vs. Desktop Software
Key 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. […]
Read More Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Up on Past-due Payroll Taxes