Get Your Startup’s Payroll and HR Right From Day One
Small missteps like a missed filing or late paycheck can cost you later. We help new businesses get the basics right from the start:
- Accurate, on-time payroll support
- Federal and state compliance support
- Employee benefits that grow with your business
The Basics Every New Business Needs to Get Right
A Solution for Every Stage of Your Business
- Self-employed — Pay yourself a salary and save for retirement with a solo 401(k).
- Hiring your first employee — Your first hire comes with legal obligations on day one. We help you make sure you're covered.
- 1-19 employees — Cut through payroll paperwork and red tape so you can focus on the work.
- 20-99 employees — Retain top talent and reduce compliance risk as headcount climbs.
- 100+ employees — Get dedicated HR guidance and technology built to help you meet requirements for large teams.
Get Going With the Basics, Add On When You're Ready
We have packages built for exactly where you are now, from basic payroll to full HR support — and they grow right along with your needs.
Meet the AI That Catches Mistakes Before You Do
From catching payroll errors before submission to automating time tracking and compliance checks, WISE, the AI engine built into Paychex Flex®, helps businesses save time and avoid costly mistakes.
Your Tech Stack, All Talking to Each Other
From accounting software to scheduling tools, the Paychex Marketplace makes it easy to connect the apps your business already runs on or discover new ones as you grow.
From Quote to Payroll in Three Steps
Get a Custom Quote
We'll build a quote around what you need and walk you through it with a real person — no generic packages, no guesswork.
Get Up and Running
Get set up quickly and start running payroll with confidence. Add HR support, benefits, or other services later, whenever you're ready.
Resources for Startups
Starting a Business Means a Hundred New Questions. We Have the Answers.
There’s a lot you don’t know yet, and that’s normal. What matters is having someone in your corner who does. We’ve spent 50+ years helping businesses like yours get payroll, HR, and compliance right from the start.
Business Startup Services FAQs
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Do I Need an EIN Before I Can Run Payroll?
Do I Need an EIN Before I Can Run Payroll?
Yes, the IRS requires an EIN before you hire your first employee or run payroll, since it's what identifies your business for payroll tax filings, deposits, and reporting. You can apply for one for free directly through the IRS. If you're a sole proprietor with no employees yet, you can use your Social Security number in the meantime, but you'll need an EIN the moment you bring someone on.
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What Are the Best Tools for Managing a Startup Effectively?
What Are the Best Tools for Managing a Startup Effectively?
Most startups need three things: a payroll and HR platform to pay people accurately and stay compliant, a way to track cash flow and expenses, and tools that connect to the software you already use. Paychex Flex combines payroll, HR, and AI-powered compliance alerts in one platform, and connects to the accounting, hiring, and point-of-sale tools most startups already run on through the Paychex Marketplace.
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What Are Business Startup Services?
What Are Business Startup Services?
Business startup services are the professional support and tools that help you legally launch and establish a new business, from registering your business and getting an EIN, to setting up payroll and staying compliant with state and federal requirements. Paychex offers startup services like payroll setup, tax compliance, workers' comp, and HR guidance, so you can focus on building your business instead of managing paperwork.
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What Services Do I Need as a Startup?
What Services Do I Need as a Startup?
Most startups need support in a few key areas: payroll and tax compliance, workers' compensation, HR guidance, and a way to accept payments. Legal and accounting help can also be useful for structuring your business and managing finances early on. Paychex covers the payroll, tax compliance, and HR side, so you're not figuring all of it out alone.
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How to Set Up Payroll for a New Business?
How to Set Up Payroll for a New Business?
To set up payroll, you'll need:
- An EIN and any required state tax IDs
- Each employee's completed W-4 and I-9 forms
- A pay schedule (weekly, biweekly, etc.)
- Correct worker classification (employee vs. independent contractor)
From there, you'll decide whether to run payroll yourself or outsource it. Getting these fundamentals right from the start helps you avoid costly mistakes and stay compliant with payroll tax requirements.
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