Do I need payroll for my small business?
Short Answer: If you have employees, yes. If you’re an S-Corp owner, you also generally need payroll for yourself.
Payroll includes tax withholdings, filings, and payments. Running payroll correctly keeps you compliant and avoids penalties.
Common mistakes:
• Paying employees without payroll setup
• Missing payroll tax filings
• S-Corp owners taking distributions without salary
What we recommend: Set up payroll properly early — it’s much easier than fixing it later.
Still have questions?
If you’re not sure what applies to your situation, we can help.