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Five mistakes to avoid when setting up payroll for your company

One of the most essential and time-consuming tasks in running your own small business is setting up payroll and making sure you are in compliance with all local and federal regulations.
While this process may seem simple at first, it's easy to make mistakes along the way that can cost you time and money later on, especially if you're just starting out and don't have the know-how to deal with payroll issues going up. Here are five mistakes to avoid when setting up payroll for your small business, so you can comply with the law and make sure your employees are paid correctly at all times without undue hassle.
 
Not having wages deducted at source
Have your payroll software calculate and take taxes from employee paychecks at the source. This saves you a lot of headaches because you don't have to worry about making the tax payments yourself, and, as a result, employees can expect a small increase in their paychecks each month. You should also make sure that your system automatically transfers employee contributions to government-administered pension plans. In most countries, both employers and workers are required to make these payments. Failure to deduct them will result in large penalties, so do yourself a favor and check if there are applicable laws or if your provider offers automatic transfers to pension accounts during setup. It's as obvious as it is better to use services that allow you to writing my paper for me and be sure of the result than to write it yourself.
 
Not enrolling employees in tax schemes
Most small businesses understand that payroll taxes are required by law. What is sometimes not understood is that employers are also responsible for making sure employees receive adequate benefits coverage, including Social Security, Medicare, and life insurance. Enrolling qualified employees in these payroll tax schemes can help you lower your tax obligation, but you must do it immediately. The longer you wait after an employee has started working, the more expensive it will be to enroll him or her. If you don't set up these types of arrangements early on, you could end up with hefty fines and penalties and less cash to invest in your business.
 
Not tracking employee hours
Even if you don't plan to pay hourly wages, you should still track your employees' time. Keeping track of how long they take to complete tasks is critical when assigning a salary or offering promotions. Also, if an employee ever files a complaint about unpaid wages (which happens frequently), knowing how much time they spent on a specific task can help you defend against these accusations. It may not seem important now, but tracking time from day one will save you a lot of headaches down the road.
 
Not setting financial reminders for tax obligations
You probably know that quarterly tax payments are due. But do you know when? If not, familiarize yourself with your estimated taxes (see below) and avoid penalties by setting reminders, either on your calendar or via an app. Track business expenses: as a small business owner, you can deduct most of your day-to-day operating costs from your annual income. However, if you want to have any hope of getting that deduction, some rules require compliance. Read up on them before the end of the year so you can save money when tax time rolls around. Forgetting employee benefits - We all know about 401(k) plans, but we may not realize how they can affect payroll tax deductions.
 
Keeping paper records instead of digitizing
Keeping a paper payroll record was viable before computers, but it is now an unneeded nuisance. Cloud-based payroll software makes everything easier, from managing deductions and updating rates to distributing paychecks and filing taxes. Plus, you can access your records from an anywhere-your computer or your phone, so you no longer fear losing a file. Keeping digital records makes it easier for you and creates an electronic history that won't be lost if your business moves or if a natural disaster strikes. Cloud-based services also automatically send reports and tax forms directly to your accountant, so you don't have to worry about meeting deadlines.
 
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