Business
Payroll Services: What They Cost and What to Check
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
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The short answer
Most payroll services charge a monthly base fee plus a fee for each worker. They pay your team, take out taxes, and file tax forms. But even if they handle your taxes, the IRS still holds you responsible if the taxes don't get paid.
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What affects your payroll price
Price range
Pricing varies by provider, so we don't list one number. Most charge a monthly base fee plus a per-worker fee. Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the provider.
What moves the number
- Number of workers. Most charge per person.
- How often you pay. Weekly costs more than monthly at some providers.
- Extras. Benefits, time tracking, HR help and workers' comp add cost.
- States. Workers in more than one state can cost more.
What to ask before you choose
- "Do you file and pay my federal, state and local payroll taxes?"
- "Do you use EFTPS?" That's the IRS's payment system. It lets you check that your taxes were paid.
- "Who pays if you make a filing mistake?" Ask for a written guarantee.
- "What's included, and what costs extra?" Year-end W-2s and 1099s are sometimes extra.
- "Can I cancel anytime?"
The catch: if a payroll company takes your tax money and doesn't pay the IRS, you still owe it, plus penalties. The IRS says to sign up for your own EFTPS login and check now and then that the payments really went through.
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