Getting Started with Patriot Payroll

 

Patriot Payroll is designed to help small businesses run payroll accurately, stay compliant, and save time—without unnecessary complexity. This article covers the most common questions new customers have when getting started.

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What are the main features of Patriot Payroll?

Patriot Payroll includes the core tools businesses need to pay employees and manage payroll with confidence.

Key features include:

• Unlimited payroll runs
  Run payroll as often as needed without per-run fees.

• Automatic payroll calculations
  Patriot calculates gross pay, deductions, and net pay for employees and contractors.

• Payroll tax calculations and filings (Full Service Payroll)
  For customers on Full Service Payroll, Patriot automatically calculates, files, and pays federal, state, and local payroll taxes.

• Direct deposit
  Pay employees via direct deposit, with multiple funding timeline options available.

• Employee self-service portal
  Employees can securely access pay stubs, W-2s, and personal information without contacting payroll administrators.

• Custom deductions and contributions
  Set up benefits, garnishments, reimbursements, and PTO accruals.

• Integrated accounting (optional)
  Payroll transactions can automatically post to Patriot Accounting when both products are used.

• Year-end forms and compliance
  Patriot prepares W-2s, W-3s, and other required year-end payroll forms.

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How do I set up my first payroll?

Setting up payroll in Patriot is a guided process designed to get businesses up and running quickly.

To set up your first payroll, you’ll typically complete the following steps:

1. Enter business information
   Add your company details, federal EIN, state tax IDs, and payroll preferences.

2. Set up employees or contractors
   Enter employee pay rates, tax withholding information, and payment methods.

3. Choose a pay schedule
   Select weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payroll schedules.

4. Configure taxes and deductions
   Patriot helps configure required payroll taxes and any custom deductions.

5. Review payroll settings
   Confirm pay periods, bank funding options, and approval workflows.

Once setup is complete, running payroll typically involves entering hours (if applicable), reviewing calculated amounts, and approving payroll.

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Can Patriot automate payroll tax calculations?

Yes. Patriot automates payroll tax calculations, and the level of automation depends on the payroll plan you choose.

• Basic Payroll
  Patriot automatically calculates payroll taxes, but the business is responsible for filing and paying them.

• Full Service Payroll
  Patriot automatically calculates, files, and pays payroll taxes on your behalf—including federal, state, and local taxes. Year-end forms such as W-2s are also handled for you.

This automation helps reduce errors, missed deadlines, and the administrative burden of payroll compliance.

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Need more help?

Patriot provides in-app help, training resources, and customer support to guide you through setup and ongoing payroll management. If you need assistance, you can access help directly from your account.