4 Tools to Simplify Payroll

Sara Angeles for Business News Daily writes:  Payroll can be a nightmare. From figuring out wages and deductions to keeping up with regulations, vacation days, contractor rates and other details, the minutiae of processing payroll can overwhelm any business owner. Not only that, but many of the payroll solutions available are too complex and complicated for a small business' needs. Instead, here are four small-business-friendly payroll tools that will take the legwork out of paying your employees, while cutting your payroll time.

1. RUN Powered by ADP Mobile Payroll

No need to sit around the office stressing over payroll. Get employees and contractors paid quickly, and on the go, with RUN Powered by ADP Mobile Payroll. This mobile app lets you access RUN, which is ADP's online payroll service, through your iOS or Android device. This app offers the same features and security as the Web-based version of RUN and doesn't require any technical or payroll skills to get the job done.

How it saves time: If you have Internet access, you can do your payroll with RUN's full-featured mobile app. It offers a convenient way to manage and process payroll with a system that PC Magazine calls "exceedingly simple to understand and use." Despite being designed for mobile devices, the RUN app is jam-packed with accounting and HR features, such as the ability to calculate employee earnings and deductions, as well as federal, state and local taxes. Other features include pre-defined rates; distribution by department; vacation, sick and personal time tools; employee records; and HR terms and definitions.

How to get started: RUN Powered by ADP Mobile Payroll is available to clients of RUN Powered by ADP. To get started, download the app at the Apple App Store or Google Play app marketplaces, then sign in with your RUN login information.

Cost: Contact ADP or complete this form for a price quote.

2. Snap Payroll by Intuit

Calculating paychecks doesn't have to feel like rocket science. Do it in minutes with the Snap Payroll by Intuit iOS app.

How it saves time: Skip the spreadsheets and deduction databases. Snap Payroll eliminates the need to endlessly calculate paychecks and research regulations. Simply choose the employee's state, and enter the hours worked and pay rate. The app will then automatically calculate pay and any applicable deductions. This includes disability insurance and federal, state, local, Social Security and Medicare taxes. In addition to crunching the numbers for you, Intuit makes sure your paychecks are always correct by automatically updating the app with the latest payroll and tax regulations — so you don't have to.

How to get started: Download the Snap Payroll app from the Apple App Store. Select a state and complete the brief payroll wizard with your business and employee information.

Cost: Free

3. SurePayroll

Just because you need a comprehensive payroll solution doesn't mean it needs to be difficult to use and time-consuming. SurePayroll, a Paychex company, is a full-featured, easy-to-use online payroll service designed for small businesses. It can do everything from calculate wages to complete regulation compliance and payroll record keeping.

How it saves you time: SurePayroll processes your payroll and files your payroll taxes, saving you the stress of doing it yourself. First, SurePayroll lets you pay your employees in three steps: enter hours, review the information and click Approve. You have the choice of paying employees either by direct deposit or by printing checks. Second, SurePayroll makes managing payroll taxes a breeze. The service will automatically calculate, file and pay federal, state and local payroll taxes on your behalf. It will also post W-2s and 1099s at the end of the year (which you can review and approve before finalizing) to eliminate self-processing time and provide 24/7 access. SurePayroll is also available on iOS and Android devices, making it easy to complete your payroll wherever you are.

How to get started: Go to surepayroll.com, click on the Enroll Now button and enter your business information to sign up.

Cost: Contact SurePayroll for pricing information, or enter your payroll information (number of employees and payroll frequency) here for an instant price quote. The quote calculator shows that a small business with five employees and a biweekly pay period will cost approximately $40.

4. ZenPayroll

There's more to payroll than just paying your employees. ZenPayroll is a cloud-based payroll solution that aims to make paying your employees as simple and intuitive as possible, while also taking the administrative burden of payroll off of your shoulders.

How it saves you time: In addition to completing common payroll tasks like wage calculations, paying employees and automatic tax filing, ZenPayroll streamlines related tasks and processes. This takes a huge chunk of payroll work off your hands. For example, instead of having to tend to employee administrative needs yourself, you can use ZenPayroll to create employee accounts for self-access to their documents, forms and information, such as paystubs and pay histories. ZenPayroll also integrates with business apps you likely already use, such as accounting solutions QuickBooks, Freshbooks and Xero; time and attendance software TSheets, WageBase/When I Work, Deputy.com and NimbleSchedule; and HR management platform Namely.

How to get started: Visit zenpayroll.com, enter your company name on the homepage and click on the "Get started for free" button. Complete the registration form and request an invitation for a free trial.

Cost: ZenPayroll is free for the first two months, and then costs $25 plus $4 per person for the first 10 payees then $2 per additional payee.