There are many must-have payroll features and quite a few of them are foundational, like payroll software with built-in tax calculators. Other must-have payroll features for your business may be less ancillary. You may find that your business is so niche that what you need is dependent on the type of business you bring in during a given year. It is important to discover early on how to distinguish what your business needs from what is useful or desirable. One worthwhile way to figure that out is by considering a program with a demo. Entering the business’s data into a system will allow you to see how the system handles the numbers and information.
Advanced Micro Solutions Payroll Software is an add-on module with “live” or after-the-fact reporting capabilities. The reasonably priced software can be purchased and paired with our base W2/1099 Forms Filer program.
Is Payroll Software with Built-In Tax Calculators Important?
Avoid making the mistake of assuming that all payroll software features are the same or needed across businesses and industries. Business size, business type, and business location are each big determinants for the best software features. Look for a program with:
Multiple Payment Methods – Distributing compensation to your employees can be arduous and error-prone without the right software tools. Explore software that offers multiple options, including check printing and direct deposit capabilities. Employees and job-seekers both have their own preferences like employers. Instant and convenient distribution of their paychecks is one way to reduce your overall burden.
A Built-In Tax Calculator – Payroll teams know that accuracy and efficiency are both essential. Getting payroll software with built-in tax calculators protects a business from oversights, which can lead to penalties or fines from the Internal Revenue Service. Keep in mind that the payroll system should be more than just a numbers cruncher. Analyzing those numbers with software allows businesses to see important trends.
Payroll Reports – Running customized payroll reports effectively is critical for any business. Ask a prospective vendor about basic payroll reports and less common payroll report options when you need fuller insights for the business. Building customizable data provides bespoke datasets that outline your quarterly and annual metrics.
Scalability – Businesses grow and so do their software needs. Utilizing payroll software with built-in tax calculators is highly beneficial as a business expands and so do the numbers that require crunching and analysis. A scalable program helps businesses avoid needing to get a new program quickly and spending more money on it.
How to Choose a Payroll Software Vendor
When it is time to select and implement a payroll software solution, know here are some common payroll section mistakes that you can side-step by preparing thoroughly beforehand.
See what technical support options are readily available. Technical support is important for when you get a new payroll software system. Ask if your potential payroll software with built-in tax calculators has live experts, a Frequently Asked Questions resource, or some combination. The last thing that you want during tax deadlines is to have a system glitch that no one can fix.
Look at reviews and speak with businesses similar to your own. Businesses have different needs, but you should still consider what works for those that are similar to yours. Reviews are one good way to learn what a vendor may not tell you about their payroll system if they are not fully transparent.
Explore any accessible software tutorials. Tutorials are another way to see what your payroll software has in store for you or your team. Finding video tutorials that walk you through how to set up a system or maximize its capabilities is a time-saver. It is a better use of your resources and manual labor as well.
Try a demo or free trial. There is perhaps no better way to decide on whether you have found the right software than by making the most of a demo program. Entering the business’s data is how you will see whether a system can accommodate your needs.
Is AMS Software the Right Choice?
Download our free 1099-etc Demo today and explore all that AMS Payroll has to offer small and medium-sized businesses. Our payroll software with built-in tax calculators supports users in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Print checks or process your employee direct deposit information with easy payer and employee set-up. Access regularly updated state and federal tax tables as needed. AMS Payroll automatically calculates federal, state, and local payroll taxes.