Business Payroll

The 3 Most Common HR Mistakes

And How to Avoid Committing Them Yourself Leading a professional team in a way that is conducive to productivity and legally compliant can be more challenging than it sounds. Here are three frequent pitfalls that you should keep in mind: #1: Not Documenting Performance of Existing Employees. Even in a small company where you know every employee personally, conducting formal performance reviews on a consistent basis is very important....

To Pay an Intern or Not to Pay?

That is the question many employers face. Interns are great options for small businesses that need extra help but do not have the funding to bring a full-time employee on staff. Should you pay your interns or not? Thanks to the Department of Labor (DOL), that question is now answered for you. Recently, the DOL announced tips that reverse their previous test to determine whether an intern or student...

How to Prepare When Switching Payroll Providers


Before you switch, keep these things in mind to prepare. There may come a time when you feel the need to switch payroll providers. Perhaps your current provider is missing the mark or maybe their company is dissolving. Regardless of why you switch, be sure you are completely prepared to make the transition as seamless as possible. Things to Consider When Switching Payroll providers range in price. Before diving...

Do You Know About the Social Security Wage Base?

Determine if you are withholding as much as you should be and when to stop. Social Security tax is a tax that applies to both employees and employers. As an employer, you are required to withhold a certain percentage of each employee’s paycheck and to make a matching contribution. Social Security tax does not change each year (with a few exceptions). However, the case is not the same as...

4 Reasons You Should Not Handle Payroll Alone

A risk not worth taking. Payroll is a vital part of your business but handling it all by yourself could cost you more than you may expect. Here are some of the biggest reasons you should not process payroll solo. Payroll Rules in Different States If you have multiple locations across state lines, you may find yourself facing an in-house nightmare when it comes to payroll rules and trying...

Worker Classification: Consider All Aspects of Your Work Relationship

How to avoid the headaches associated with misclassifying your workers. The Department of Labor makes a big deal out of businesses who misclassify their workers, whether purposefully or accidentally. The IRS stands ready to penalize and fine those who do so. The act of misclassification can also result in a violation of workers’ compensation laws and a liability for unemployment taxes, along with many other issues. To help you...

Managing Client Relationships

Staying on positive terms with your clients can be just as important as the quality of your products or services. Retaining customers is about more than just giving them good value on a good product — it is also about being perceived as convenient, reliable, and willing to go the extra mile. Here are a few simple tips that can help you manage customer relationships more effectively: Manage Customer...

5 End of the Year Tax Tips for Business Owners

The end of the year brings holiday festivities, enthusiastic plans for self-improvement, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia for days gone by. For business owners and the self-employed, it also brings quite a bit of responsibility. This is because, for those who use the traditional tax year, the time has come to make last-minute decisions that will influence how much money is owed to Uncle Sam. Though late December...

IRS Fine on Public School Illustrates Importance of Payroll

An ongoing public dispute regarding payroll tax fines appears to be coming to an end–but it hasn’t been pretty. In February, 2016, the Three Forks school district voted to pay roughly $37,000 in fines related to a routine audit that revealed errors in the school’s payroll reporting. This $37,000 actually represents a significant discount, as the original fine was nearly $50,000! Despite this generous “discount” that the school district...

Comply With All Payroll Regulations – Stress Free!

If you’ve ever tried to do your own payroll as a small business owner, you are most likely aware that the United States Department of Labor lays forth dozens of rules and regulations regarding payroll.  Complying with these rules is serious business, so doing payroll right is a time-consuming process that requires both careful work and consistent research.  Additionally, state and local governments sometimes add additional regulations—further complicating an...