Payroll for small businesses
We set up payroll in Gusto or ADP, check every run and file what sits behind it, from Form 941 each quarter to W-2s and state unemployment. S-Corp owners get their own salary set up properly. Your payroll numbers land in your books, so nothing needs fixing at tax time.
Updated November 2026
What does our payroll service handle?
Paychecks out, filings in, books that match. Here's everything behind each payday.
Set up right
Employees, pay schedules, deductions and every federal and state tax setting checked.
Each run checked
We review every pay run before you approve it, so payday has no surprises.
Posted to your books
Wages and payroll taxes match your profit and loss every month.
Owner salary for S-Corps
A reasonable salary, run through payroll with taxes withheld.
Contractors too
Paid in Gusto alongside employees, with 1099-NECs at year end.
Staff in other states
Each state account registered and every state return filed.
| Filing | What it is | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Tax deposits | Withheld and employer taxes sent to the IRS | Monthly or semiweekly |
| Form 941 | Quarterly federal payroll return | April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31 |
| Form 940 | Annual federal unemployment return | January 31 |
| W-2 and W-3 | Wage statements for employees and the SSA. From 2026 they also show qualified tips and overtime, under new box 12 codes | January 31 |
| 1099-NEC | Payments to contractors | January 31 |
| State reports | Withholding and unemployment returns | Usually quarterly, set by each state |
- The Gusto or ADP subscription, which the software bills you directly
- Missed filings from past quarters, quoted once we've looked
- HR, benefits and employment law advice
- Payroll for staff working outside the United States
How do we set up your payroll?
New to payroll or fixing a setup that's been wrong for a year, the steps are the same.
Free 30-minute call
Headcount, pay schedule, states and S-Corp status.
Setup or cleanup
We create or fix your Gusto or ADP account.
First run together
We walk through it before you approve it.
It just runs
Deposits, returns and confirmations, every period.
How much does payroll cost?
Setup is a one-time job. After that, payroll is priced by how many people you pay.
Owner only
Just your own salary
$80/mo
- Your salary every payday
- Form 941 and state filings
- Your W-2 in January
Small team
1 to 5 people
$150/mo
- Everything in Owner only
- Pay runs checked before they go
- New hires added
Team
6 to 15 people
$260/mo
- Everything in Small team
- Contractor 1099s
- People in more than one state
Owner only
Salary for an S-Corp owner
$200
- Owner salary set up in Gusto or ADP
- Federal and state tax settings checked
- Ready for the first pay run
Small team
Up to 10 people, one state
$350
- Everything in Owner only
- Employees, pay schedules and deductions
- Contractors set up for 1099s
Multi-state
People in 2 or more states
$600
- Everything in Small team
- Accounts in each state you pay in
- Benefit deductions mapped
Priced on top
- More than 15 people, quoted after a short call
- Tipped employees and frequent off-cycle runs
Or bundle it
The Growth plan adds payroll to your books, sales tax and business return, from $500 a month.
Not sure which tier fits? We confirm it, and the fixed price, on a free call before any work starts.
Payroll questions, answered.
Don't see yours? Ask it on a free 30-minute call.
Book a callSources: IRS Publication 15, employment tax due dates
Free tools: Paycheck calculator, Payroll cost calculator, Form 941 guide, First employee checklist
Gusto or ADP?
Both work. We set most new clients up in Gusto, because it suits small teams and pays contractors in the same place. If ADP already works for you, we'll stay there.
Can you take over my existing payroll account?
Yes. You add us as your accountant, we review the setup, fix anything that's wrong and take it from the next pay run.
What if I've missed payroll filings?
Tell us on the first call. We find what's missing, prepare the late returns and explain any penalty notices that follow. Past quarters are quoted separately once we've looked.
Do I need payroll as a single-member LLC?
Only if you have employees or your LLC elected S-Corp tax treatment. A sole owner of a regular LLC takes draws. Once you elect S-Corp status, you need payroll for your own salary.
Employee or contractor?
It depends on control, not on the label. If you decide how, when and where the work gets done, the IRS usually sees an employee. Ask us before the first payment and we'll walk through the factors with you.
Tell us what's messy. We'll tell you what it takes.
Tell us what you need and get a fixed price before any work starts. No pressure and no contract.