2024-04-18 16:40
Are your employees working too much overtime? Who needs a raise? Are you spending too much money on a department? To get answers to these types of questions, analyze your payroll data. Use p… Read More
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Find the latest Payroll Tips, Training, and News right here with Patriot Software's Payroll Blog.
2024-04-16 18:59
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen in the workplace. When they do, you must fill out a workplace incident report. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, requir… Read More
2024-04-15 20:24
Payroll is arguably a business’s biggest expense. Between taxes and benefits, an employee costs up to 32% more than their wages. To accurately budget for your payroll-related expenses… Read More
2024-04-02 19:45
Data breaches and cyberattacks happen every day. Payroll contains sensitive employee information such as Social Security numbers and bank account details, making it a goldmine for cybercrimi… Read More
2024-03-15 17:42
When payday rolls around, employees receive their wages for hours worked. They may also receive a digital or paper pay stub, which breaks down their earnings and deductions. As an employer… Read More
2024-03-07 19:38
You’re ready for some help around your business. Should you hire a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor? The choice might not be yours. There are key differences between a W-2 employee vs… Read More
2024-03-06 15:02
Understand the new Alabama overtime tax law that exempts employees' overtime earnings from state income tax. Get the details and reporting requirements for businesses.Read More Read More
2024-02-29 18:44
Step 1: Land the contract for a federal government-funded job. Step 2: Comply with your certified payroll reporting requirements. What is certified payroll? Contractors and subcontractors wo… Read More
2024-02-22 20:20
If you want to deposit your employees’ paychecks directly into their bank accounts, you need direct deposit. Direct deposit is a convenient payment method for employees, who receive th… Read More
2024-02-08 20:15
Payroll software makes paying employees a breeze by calculating federal, state, and local taxes. If you’ve decided you want to use software to run payroll, you can put away your calcul… Read More
2024-01-30 19:42
How do you pay your employees? With checks? Direct deposit? Other? There are several ways to pay employees, especially as money continues to move into the digital sphere. If you want to know… Read More
2024-01-15 22:24
Here’s a payroll question: How do you differentiate between employees and independent contractors? It all depends on the relationship between the potential employer and the worker… Read More
2024-01-15 20:02
Not all workers are employees. Some might be independent contractors. Figuring out if your worker is an employee or independent contractor under the Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines can… Read More
2024-01-08 14:37
You might have heard about per diem pay before. But, are you familiar with Publication 1542? Learn more about Publication 1542 per diem rates and how to calculate per diem pay below. Publica… Read More
2023-12-29 18:01
Aggressive promotion, scams, and ERC mills—that’s the drama surrounding the employee retention credit (ERC). The ERC was a lifeline for small businesses struggling to stay open d… Read More
2023-12-12 16:49
Navigating through the waters of health insurance coverage is tricky. You might be wondering, Do employers have to offer health insurance? Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires emp… Read More
2023-11-17 17:19
On January 1, 2024, employers with employees working in Minnesota are responsible for a new workplace standard—offering paid sick leave. How much do you know about the Minnesota paid s… Read More
2023-10-23 14:50
Are you an Illinois employer? Do you provide paid time off (PTO) to your employees? Beginning in 2024, providing paid time off is no longer a choice—it’s a state mandate. In Marc… Read More
2023-09-25 15:52
Time is money, and for small businesses, effective timesheet management can make all the difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the strategies and tools that c… Read More
2023-09-18 19:23
No matter what type of business you run, there’s a chance employees could get hurt or sick. They might slip on a wet floor, fall off a ladder, cut themselves with a blade, or get in a… Read More
2023-08-18 15:17
On February 21, 2023, the IRS made significant changes to the electronic filing requirements that will take effect in 2024. The IRS electronic filing changes may impact you if you have emplo… Read More
2023-08-02 17:46
Most businesses need—or will at some point need—an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You include your EIN on documents like Form W-2 and business tax returns. To get an EIN… Read More
2023-07-24 14:44
The greatest expense for small business owners is often payroll. Why? Because when you hire employees, you pay more than just their wages—you also pay payroll taxes, benefits contribut… Read More
2023-07-21 15:43
The Land of 10,000 Lakes is the latest state to launch a paid family and medical leave program. Beginning in 2026, Minnesota employers will be responsible for handling payroll deductions for… Read More
2023-07-21 13:54
At some point, one of your employees may need to take time off before and after giving birth. You must create and implement a maternity leave policy before that happens. But before you can e… Read More
2023-04-19 16:22
Does this sound familiar? You ask an employee to run a few errands for the office. They end up with a $10.79 coffee shop bill, $56.99 at the office supply store, and $25.28 at a local pizza… Read More
2023-04-13 18:30
Eighteen percent of businesses pay employees semimonthly. If you use semimonthly pay periods and have nonexempt employees who work overtime, read on. We’ll break down calculating overt… Read More
2023-04-06 17:49
Are you a new employer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? Do you plan on offering your employees paid sick leave? If the answer is no, it’s time to reassess. Most employers must pro… Read More
2023-04-03 17:14
Offering a retirement plan comes with a host of benefits, including generous 401(k) tax credits, while also serving as a potent tool for recruiting and retaining top talent. There are also u… Read More
2023-03-30 14:36
You have your time card management down to a science. Employees fill them out, you approve them, and boom! You send them off to payroll, and your job is done. But what happens when an employ… Read More
2023-03-27 16:19
Employee benefits beef up your compensation package. They can make or break your ability to hire and retain employees. For the most part, you can choose what to offer employees. But, there a… Read More
2023-03-27 14:37
Canton, OH Patriot Software, an accounting and payroll software provider, has been recognized by Capterra as one of five top-rated accounting software for small businesses. Patriot’s a… Read More
2023-03-23 17:57
According to the Small Business Administration, 81.2% of large employers and 24.8% of small employers are corporations. Structuring your business as a corporation comes with benefits like li… Read More
2023-03-16 22:36
Dear Patriot Software Customers, As I mentioned in my March 14th timeline update to you, your payroll and payroll-tax dollars are securely flowing again at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Patriot… Read More
2023-03-15 14:57
All employers are responsible for reporting employee wage and tax information to the IRS. Many employers use Form 941 to report this information each quarter. But, some eligible small busine… Read More
2023-03-14 21:09
Dear Patriot Software Customers, Payroll and payroll-tax dollars are securely flowing again at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Patriot is in good shape. FYI, my Team at Patriot Software has… Read More
2023-03-12 14:51
To Whom It May Concern, I am Mike Kappel, CEO of Patriot Software in Canton, OH. I am calling on our government and lawmakers to step in and put their full weight behind SVB immediatel… Read More
2023-03-12 14:44
Dear Patriot Software Customer, I’m sure you’ve heard the news that on Friday 3/10/23 the 16th-largest bank in the USA, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), was shut down by California reg… Read More
2023-03-10 21:25
Canton, Ohio Patriot Software, an online payroll and accounting company, announced today that some employee direct deposits were affected by the abrupt Silicon Valley Bank closure. In this u… Read More
2023-03-10 15:32
Are you an employer in West Virginia? If so, you might have heard about House Bill 2526, a 2023 law that significantly cut individual income tax rates. As a result, your West Virginia income… Read More
2023-03-09 14:37
Seven out of 10 Americans aren’t fans of changing the clocks at the start and end of daylight saving time (DST). And if you have employees who work the graveyard shift, you might not l… Read More
2023-03-07 18:55
Have you heard about the Service Industry Tip Compliance Agreement program, otherwise known as SITCA? On February 6, the IRS released a proposed revenue procedure—Notice 2023-13—… Read More
2023-03-02 14:56
Chances are you’ve eaten at a food truck before. A food truck is a mobile restaurant, often selling food at designated areas, street corners, or festivals and special events. Food truc… Read More
2023-03-01 20:34
A number of states have hopped on the paid sick leave bandwagon. One of the newest states to do so is Colorado. In addition to regular sick leave, the state also offers public health emergen… Read More
2023-02-27 14:28
“What’s your occupation?” Everybody gets this question—at the doctor’s office, when opening a new bank account, etc. People are curious. They want to know what… Read More
2023-02-24 17:01
Whether it’s your first day in business or your 10-year anniversary, it may be time to get a business vehicle. A business car can make running your company easier than ever—from… Read More
2023-02-22 21:45
In 1942, Rhode Island was the first state to offer Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits to employees. Following the success of this program, Rhode Island created the Temporary Careg… Read More
2023-02-22 13:00
Canton, OH Patriot Software, an accounting and payroll software company, has announced its online payroll—including both Basic and Full Service products—will now support companie… Read More
2023-02-21 17:31
Maybe you started out running your business from your home or garage. Or, maybe you’re getting ready to launch a new business. Whatever the case may be, there might come a time when yo… Read More
2023-02-17 18:02
Trends constantly come and go in the accounting world. At one point in time, managing books by hand was all the rage (and the only way to do it). Now, cloud-based accounting is on the rise… Read More
2023-02-17 16:11
Do you need investors to start a business? During the early stages of your startup, you may struggle to attract venture capitalists and angel investors. While working with investors provides… Read More
2023-02-16 21:35
Tax season can be hectic, especially if you’re a small business owner. If you hate filing business taxes, you may wonder, “How much can a small business make before paying taxes?… Read More
2023-02-15 19:07
As an employer, you have a million and one tasks to take care of. One of these oh-so-important responsibilities is withholding payroll taxes from employee wages. And, your job doesn’t… Read More
2023-02-14 15:19
Brick-and-mortar stores are still thriving, but small businesses’ online footprints expand every year. In 2022, 98% of business owners had a company website, compared to 50% in 2018. A… Read More
2023-02-13 14:40
New Jersey started its paid family leave plan in 2009 with the New Jersey Family Leave Act. New Jersey paid family leave (PFL) made NJ the second state (after California) to pass a PFL polic… Read More
2023-02-10 17:12
Late nights, long hours, and lots of coffee. Sound familiar? If you’re an accounting professional, this may happen to you throughout the year. But, there are a few times in particular… Read More
2023-02-09 16:52
Tax season might be once a year, but preparing for tax season is a year-round process. To back up your tax deduction claims, you need to keep business receipts. But, what kind of receipts fo… Read More
2023-02-08 18:10
Think it’s too late to take advantage of the Employee Retention Credit? Think again. Employers now have until 2024 (and in some cases, 2025) to claim the credit retroactively. So, how… Read More
2023-02-08 16:29
It’s that time of year again when tax filing deadlines bear down on small businesses across the country. Don’t get caught off guard this year. Read on to learn all about the dead… Read More
2023-02-06 13:54
New Hampshire joined 11 other states in early 2023 when it offered employees paid family and medical leave. New Hampshire PFML is unique, though. It’s the only state PFML program in th… Read More
2023-02-02 16:20
How often do you drive to meet a client or your accountant? Do you frequently make bank runs for your business? Depending on your business use of vehicle, you may qualify for a nice-sized ta… Read More
2023-02-01 16:31
Do you need to give your employees paid sick leave? Several states have laws requiring it—including Arizona. If you’re an Arizona employer, you need to know your sick time respon… Read More
2023-01-31 16:55
If you’re thinking about starting a business, you’ve probably seen the business startup checklists online and already know them like the back of your hand. Make a plan. Choose a… Read More
2023-01-30 13:09
Do you have snacks and coffee in the office for your employees? Have you ever had a workplace event, like a picnic or party? If so, you most likely have given employees de minimis fringe ben… Read More
2023-01-26 15:47
Have an idea for a startup? Check. Think of a business name? Check. Have the funding you need to get started? Eh, not quite check. When creating a startup, you need to have a solid financial… Read More
2023-01-25 17:35
The SECURE Act of 2019 gave employers new incentives to offer retirement plans. Now, the SECURE Act 2.0 promises to deliver even more. Passed by Congress at the end of 2022, the SECURE Act 2… Read More
2023-01-24 20:34
Cash flow problems happen—often. It’s why 82% of small businesses fail. But if you have issues with your cash flow, you’re not doomed to close up shop. Instead, it’s… Read More
2023-01-23 19:44
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. The numbers don’t lie: 99.9% of American businesses are small businesses, and almost half (46.8%) of US employees work for sm… Read More
2023-01-20 18:58
You want to build a relationship with each and every one of your accounting clients. To do that, you need strong client communication. But when you’re juggling dozens or even hundreds… Read More
2023-01-19 18:17
Tax season sneaks up fast. For many business owners (and individual tax filers!), it’s an overwhelming whirlwind. At the end of it, you may vow to prepare better for next year. And the… Read More
2023-01-18 21:34
What’s the biggest thing a new job applicant wants to know about the job they’re applying for? You guessed it: Applicants want to know how much the job pays. Generally, employers… Read More
2023-01-17 15:06
Becoming a business owner is no easy task. It takes time, dedication, money, and more. Chances are, you’ll probably make a few mistakes along the way. But if you follow a few business… Read More
2023-01-16 14:34
California was the first state to create a paid family leave (PFL) program in 2002 (benefits became available in 2004). Since then, 11 other states have created paid family leave programs (p… Read More
2023-01-13 15:13
The average small business owner is roughly $195,000 in debt. Imagine paying that amount from your pocket, and if you can’t, how it’ll reflect on your credit report. Daunting! Es… Read More
2023-01-12 21:28
The accounting world may seem filled with hard facts. Either the money is in the account, will be in the account, or it isn’t … right? Well, that’s not always the case. Th… Read More
2023-01-11 20:45
Software can make payroll—and your life—much easier. But it’s easy to get overwhelmed when shopping for payroll software. After all, there are a variety of tools to choose… Read More
2023-01-10 20:58
Running a business also means paying business taxes. Regardless of what you’ve heard, business taxes don’t have to be stressful. In fact, you can actually reduce your tax bill. R… Read More
2023-01-09 16:50
If you’ve had employees for a while, you know the drill. Every year, you must prepare and send Forms W-2 to the proper parties, which typically includes the state. For on-time reportin… Read More
2023-01-06 21:11
You work hard to ensure your client’s businesses do well. But, many accounting professionals struggle with an unreliable cash flow when clients pay late or forget to pay. The good news… Read More
2023-01-05 18:15
You have a lot to deal with to keep your company operating. One thing you don’t want to have to handle? An IRS audit. While some audits happen randomly, others trigger from red flags i… Read More
2023-01-04 20:13
With paid sick leave programs on the rise, more and more states are establishing new laws for employers. One state that has taken its law to the next level is Maine. The Maine paid sick leav… Read More
2023-01-04 19:33
You may have heard the phrase “If you have time to lean, you’ve got time to clean.” It’s a saying beloved by managers across the country and cuts to the core of the n… Read More
2023-01-03 16:17
Thinking about starting a business but worried about how busy you’ll be? Or, have you already started a business and are wondering how many hours you should be clocking in? Either way… Read More
2023-01-02 17:08
Miles spent driving to meet clients, going to an office supply store, and depositing a customer’s check at the bank can add up. If you use a vehicle for small business purposes, you mi… Read More
2023-01-02 13:57
Canton, OH Patriot Software, a leading accounting software and payroll software provider, has been named a FrontRunner for Top Small Business Payroll Software by Software Advice. Software Ad… Read More
2022-12-29 18:42
Do you make estimates or invoices for your business? The two terms aren’t interchangeable. In fact, you may need to make both an estimate and invoice for a project. So, what’s th… Read More
2022-12-28 17:35
It’s illegal to pay different wages for the same job based on race, sex, gender expression, or national origin. But, pay equity in the workplace is sometimes still a problem. What does… Read More
2022-12-28 15:02
Canton, OH Patriot Software, an accounting and payroll software provider, is a FrontRunner for Top Small Business Accounting Software. This is the eighth time in 2022 that Software Advice ha… Read More
2022-12-27 13:00
Have you ever billed a customer for a product and realized you overcharged them? Or has one of your customers ever opened a package to find damaged or defective goods? In either case, you sh… Read More
2022-12-22 16:01
State-mandated retirement plans are here to nudge (erhm, push) employers into helping employees save for their future. But, all the different rules and regulations can cause you to trip on y… Read More
2022-12-22 15:42
For 40% of small business owners, handling bookkeeping and taxes is the worst part of owning a business. Sound familiar? If so, you might consider shirking your recordkeeping responsibilitie… Read More
2022-12-20 20:17
Part of running a good business is never getting complacent when it comes to revenue. A company’s revenue should always outpace expenses. Otherwise, trouble is just around the corner… Read More
2022-12-16 16:13
According to a May 2022 report from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, only 48% of small businesses with fewer than 50 employees offer a retirement plan. Not only does thi… Read More
2022-12-16 15:39
If you’re an employer in the state of New York, you may have heard of the Employer Compensation Expense Tax (ECET) that started in 2019. But, did you know that the ECET, established by… Read More
2022-12-15 20:30
Withholding federal income tax from employee wages is a necessary (but tricky) part of running payroll. There is no standard amount you withhold from employee wages for federal income taxes… Read More
2022-12-14 17:02
Are you self-employed? If so, you better keep reading. Self-employed individuals must pay a unique payroll tax called self-employment tax. What is self-employment tax? In this article, you&r&hell…Read More
2022-12-13 21:41
Picture your star employees and how much value they add to your business. Many employers recognize their employees’ value with bonus pay. When you give an employee a bonus, you are req… Read More
2022-12-13 19:34
Investors can help your business get off the ground. But, finding investors is easier said than done. One reason is that there’s a lot of competition out there. In 2021 alone, there we… Read More
2022-12-12 16:28
State paid family leave (PFL) programs aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Back in 2020, Colorado voted to implement its own Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. And… Read More
2022-12-08 20:48
As a business owner, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll need to work with a vendor at some point. After all, you need supplies, services, and more to operate your business. Hiri… Read More
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