PC based payroll Program

[Rudy]

I've used ZPay's Pay Window for years and years. I only have 3-4 employees, and this "Mom and Pop" software run company has been outstanding. Annual updates were only about $50.

Bad news....

The owner is retiring, and "Pay Window" will be no more.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple software based payroll program?

 

[Keno]

Payroll mate is what we've been using for about 5 years across our businesses. Our retail store has about 20 employees on the payroll and no issues. It's not $50, but still reasonable. Has a ton of reports and forms.

 

[Greg Pack]

I did payroll the old fashioned way and filed forms, etc. I'm now swapped to using gusto online and am pretty happy with it. I have four employees and it runs me about $70/month. With the time cards in front of me I can do my weekly payroll on my phone in three minutes. It files all Local, State, and Federal documents and takes a major hassle out of having employees. Will never go back to DIY.

If you decide to go that route lemme send you a link for a referral!

 

[Waxman]

I use paychex. I did my own payroll for years and was never completely in sync with what the state and federal said I owed. I was always playing catch up and then I would suddenly have a credit that would need to apply somewhere....

It seemed quickbooks would always freeze up on payday and leave me trapped at the computer for 2 hrs. Very frustrating.

Now, I go in on Sunday morning, use Redcort to calculate timecard hours, email my contact at paychex and ups brings the checks a few days later. Paychex handles all the tax payments and issues reports and year end documents . So simple and frees up my time, which is awesome.

 

[mjwalsh]

I am not saying a database program customized for payroll is a good fit for everyone but Microsoft Access has worked for us since the mid 1990s. Sometimes with a garnishment etc MS Excel spreadsheet can be used in conjunction with whatever brand of database program & not lose the structured advantage of frontend database entry protection that it gives. I notice now with Microsoft 365 Office it autosaves to the cloud with protection from an accidental bad save can be taken care of with going back to the appropriate revision within the revision history. It is a nice new feature IMHO. For 1099s etc (independent contractors) I use an online program that even USPS the recipients for me.

Some manual updating is needed by referring to Publication 15 (2023), (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) along with using the equivalent at the state level.