Payroll Services: What’s Included, Pricing & How to Choose
Payroll isn’t just paychecks. It’s withholdings, tax deposits, multi-state rules, and year-end forms. Here’s what professional payroll services actually include and how to pick the right plan.
What Payroll Services Include
- Payroll runs (scheduled + off-cycle), direct deposit, pay stubs
- Taxes & filings (federal/state/local deposits and returns)
- Year-end W-2/1099 prep & e-file
- Employee records (new hire reporting, PTO tracking basics)
- Support (notices, amendments, agency correspondence)
Add-Ons You Might Need
- Time tracking, benefits deductions, garnishments
- Multi-state payroll, contractor onboarding, PTO policies
- HR compliance docs (handbook templates, new-hire packets)
Pricing Models
- Base fee + per-employee per month (most common)
- Per-run fees (less common today)
- One-time setup for onboarding and year-end
How to Choose (Checklist)
- Tax filing guarantee?
- Multi-state capability?
- Transparent base + per-employee pricing?
- W-2/1099 included?
- Integrations with your bookkeeping/accounting?
FAQs
What do payroll services include?
Payroll runs, direct deposit, tax deposits and filings, year-end W-2/1099 prep, and support for agency notices.
How are payroll services priced?
Most providers use a base monthly fee plus a per-employee charge, with optional add-ons like time tracking or benefits.
