Charlette Beasley

Payroll software makes it easy to calculate wages, pay employees via direct deposit, and file taxes for businesses that want to manage their payroll in-house. We compared popular options and including Gusto and Paychex. These cloud-based solutions make the most sense for small businesses due to ease of use and affordability. 7 Best Payroll Software…

A pay schedule is a timetable employers follow to pay their employees. It includes the work periods for which employees are paid in addition to their pay dates. There are several pay schedules from which to choose — for example, weekly or twice a month — and our payroll calendars make them easier to track….

To help eliminate pay discrimination, over a dozen states and localities have enforced salary history bans, or laws prohibiting employers from asking job candidates information about their salary history. To comply, some companies are updating job applications, company practices, and so forth. Each violation can result in a penalty of $100 to over $5,000. If…

Companies hire contractors for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, they have short-term projects or part-time work that doesn’t warrant hiring a new employee. They should take care to only work with qualified contractors that fit their budget. The recruiting process is similar to that of hiring employees, except that it’s not as regulated. If you’re…

Payroll templates are pre-designed spreadsheets and forms that help organize, calculate, and track payroll data. They’re best for business owners preparing to hire their first employees or who want to better manage payroll. You can use these templates instead of, or in conjunction with, payroll software to eliminate extra costs for add-ons like time-tracking. If…

Tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount that employers, like restaurants and resorts, can pay tipped employees. Currently, it’s $2.13 per hour (federal law), but each state has its own regulations—for example, paying a lower minimum wage is illegal in California. It can save money, but participating employers are subject to oversight. If you need…

A shift differential, or shift pay, is a premium employers pay to employees who work outside of normal business hours. For example, if a restaurant is open past midnight, employees working the night shift may receive an extra $2 an hour. Legally, employers must include this premium in any overtime calculations, or they’ll face penalties….

When processing payroll for yourself vs employees, choosing the right business structure is key to minimizing taxes. Determining how much and how often to pay helps with managing profitability and cash flow, which is why setting up a payroll system is important. Good payroll services make it easy and support employers with tax law compliance….

A payroll card (pay card) is a prepaid debit card employers used to pay employees who don’t have bank accounts. Although regulated by state law, they’re similar to direct deposits in that money is sent electronically and setup is sometimes free. Pay cards are available from dedicated providers (FlexWage or VISA), banks, or payroll companies….