Houston Payroll Services for Small Businesses

Managing payroll is one of the most time-consuming and compliance-sensitive tasks a business owner faces. Between calculating wages, withholding the right taxes, filing quarterly reports, and staying current with changing regulations, payroll mistakes can be costly. Whetzel & Co provides reliable, accurate payroll services for small businesses throughout the Houston area so you can focus on running your business instead of running payroll.

Whether you have two employees or fifty, we handle every aspect of payroll processing with the attention to detail your business deserves.

What Our Payroll Services Include

Payroll Processing

We handle the complete payroll cycle for your business, from calculating gross pay and deductions to issuing paychecks or direct deposits on schedule. Every pay run is reviewed for accuracy before processing to prevent errors that could affect your employees or your tax obligations. We support weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly pay schedules to match your business needs.

Payroll Tax Calculations and Filings

Payroll taxes are where most small businesses run into trouble. Federal income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, and Texas Workforce Commission payments all have different rates, thresholds, and due dates. We calculate all payroll taxes accurately for each pay period and file all required federal and state payroll tax returns on time, including Forms 941, 940, and TWC quarterly wage reports.

Year-End Reporting

At the end of each year, we prepare and distribute W-2s for all employees and 1099s for independent contractors. We also file the required transmittal forms with the Social Security Administration and IRS. Everything is prepared accurately and delivered on time so your employees can file their personal tax returns without delays.

New Hire Reporting

Texas requires employers to report all new hires and rehires to the Texas Attorney General’s office within 20 days of their start date. We handle this reporting for you as part of our payroll services, keeping you compliant without adding to your administrative workload.

Direct Deposit Setup

We set up and manage direct deposit for your employees, ensuring funds are deposited accurately and on time every pay period. Direct deposit reduces the hassle of paper checks, eliminates the risk of lost or stolen paychecks, and gives your employees faster access to their earnings.

Why Small Businesses Choose Whetzel & Co for Payroll

Accuracy you can count on. Payroll errors lead to unhappy employees, IRS penalties, and wasted time fixing mistakes. We review every pay run before processing and reconcile payroll tax accounts quarterly to catch discrepancies before they become problems.

Compliance built in. Payroll tax rules change frequently. We stay current on federal and Texas payroll regulations so you do not have to. From tax rate changes to new reporting requirements, we adjust your payroll automatically to keep you compliant.

Integrated with your accounting. Because we also provide bookkeeping and accounting services, your payroll data flows directly into your financial records. Payroll expenses, tax liabilities, and benefit costs are recorded accurately in your books every pay period, giving you a clear picture of your labor costs at all times.

Personal service. You will not get a call center when you have a payroll question. You get a dedicated team member who knows your business and can answer your questions quickly. Whether you need to add a new employee, process a bonus, or handle a termination, we are here to help.

Who Benefits From Outsourced Payroll

Outsourced payroll services are a smart choice for small businesses that want to save time, reduce risk, and ensure their employees are paid accurately and on schedule. Our payroll clients include restaurants and hospitality businesses managing tipped employees, construction companies with varying pay rates and job costing needs, professional services firms with salaried and hourly staff, retail businesses with seasonal hiring fluctuations, real estate companies with multiple entities and property management employees, and startups that need payroll set up correctly from day one.

If you are currently handling payroll yourself or using a DIY software solution and spending more time than you would like on it, outsourcing to Whetzel & Co can free up hours every month while giving you peace of mind that everything is being handled correctly.

Payroll for Multiple Entities

Many of our clients operate more than one business entity, which is especially common in real estate and hospitality. We manage payroll across multiple entities, ensuring each company’s payroll taxes and filings are handled separately and correctly. This is particularly important for businesses structured with holding companies, LLCs, or S-Corps where employees may work across entities.

Getting Started Is Simple

Step 1: Consultation. We review your current payroll setup, employee count, pay schedule, and any issues you are experiencing. This helps us understand your needs and set up your payroll correctly from the start.

Step 2: Setup. We gather employee information, set up tax accounts if needed, configure your pay schedule, and establish direct deposit. If you are switching from another provider, we handle the transition seamlessly so there is no disruption to your employees.

Step 3: Ongoing Processing. Each pay period, you provide us with hours worked and any changes. We handle the rest, including calculations, tax withholdings, direct deposits, and filings. You review and approve each pay run before it processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do payroll services cost?

Our payroll pricing is based on the number of employees and your pay frequency. We provide a flat monthly fee with no hidden charges, so you always know what to expect. Contact us for a custom quote based on your business needs.

Can you handle payroll for both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors?

Yes. We process payroll for W-2 employees and track payments to independent contractors for 1099 reporting at year end. We can also help you determine whether a worker should be classified as an employee or contractor to avoid misclassification issues.

What if I need to run payroll off-cycle?

Off-cycle payroll runs for bonuses, commissions, or final paychecks for terminated employees are no problem. Just let us know and we will process the additional run quickly.

Start Simplifying Your Payroll Today

Stop spending your evenings and weekends on payroll. Whetzel & Co provides dependable, affordable payroll services for Houston small businesses. Call us at (832) 983-7080 to discuss your payroll needs, or contact us online for a free consultation.