Payroll Services

Houston
Payroll Services

Payroll is complicated. Late filings, incorrect withholdings, and compliance mistakes can cost you thousands in penalties. Let our Houston payroll team handle it all - accurately and on time, every time.

What's Included

  • Payroll Processing (Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly)
  • Direct Deposit Setup & Management
  • Federal & Texas Tax Withholding
  • Quarterly & Annual Tax Filings
  • W-2 & 1099 Preparation
  • New Hire Reporting

Get a free payroll quote

Tell us how many people you pay and how often. We'll send back a base fee plus per-employee price, with nothing hidden behind it.

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Complete Payroll Management

We Handle Every
Payroll Detail

Running payroll involves dozens of moving parts - from calculating hours to filing taxes. We manage every aspect so you can focus on running your Houston business.

Accurate Calculations

Hours, overtime, deductions, taxes - we calculate everything correctly. No more spreadsheet errors or miscalculated paychecks that frustrate your employees. If you're self-employed, check our guide to self-employment tax deductions you might be missing.

On-Time Every Time

Your employees depend on getting paid on schedule. We ensure payroll runs on time, every pay period, without fail. Direct deposits hit accounts when expected.

Tax Filing & Deposits

We handle all payroll tax deposits and filings - 941s, 940s, TWC reports, and more. You'll never worry about missing a deadline or filing incorrectly.

Compliance Protection

Labor laws change constantly. We stay current on federal and Texas employment regulations so you remain compliant and avoid costly penalties.

Employee Self-Service

Employees can access pay stubs, W-2s, and update their information online. Less administrative burden for you and convenient access for your team.

Detailed Reporting

Get comprehensive payroll reports showing labor costs, tax liabilities, and trends. Make informed decisions with clear data about your workforce expenses.

Who We Serve

Payroll Solutions for
Every Houston Business

Whether you have one employee or fifty, our payroll services scale to fit your needs. We specialize in serving Houston businesses in these industries:

  • Construction & Contractors - Managing crews, subcontractors, and certified payroll requirements
  • Restaurants & Hospitality - Tipped employees, varying hours, and high turnover
  • Healthcare & Medical - Complex benefit deductions and compliance requirements
  • Professional Services - Law firms, consultancies, and service businesses
  • Retail & E-commerce - Hourly employees, seasonal staffing, and commissions
  • Nonprofits & Faith Organizations - Clergy housing allowances, volunteer stipends, and 501(c)(3) payroll compliance

The number that gets Houston business owners into the most serious trouble is the trust fund recovery penalty. When payroll taxes go unpaid, the IRS can hold any "responsible person" personally liable for 100% of the unpaid amount. Your LLC structure offers no protection here. The IRS does not distinguish between your personal assets and your business assets when trust fund penalties are in play.

Professional payroll services exist specifically to keep deposits on schedule. When the deposit runs automatically every period, the trust fund penalty becomes a non-issue. Read our guide on Texas payroll compliance for a full breakdown of every deadline small employers face.

Worker classification is the other common pressure point. If you pay contractors who the IRS later determines were employees, you owe back payroll taxes for every period they worked, plus penalties and interest. We help you document contractor relationships the right way. For a full comparison of how to handle contractors versus employees, see our post on setting up payroll for the first time.

The Cost of Payroll Mistakes

1 to 5 days late 2% penalty
6 to 15 days late 5% penalty
More than 15 days late 10% penalty
IRS notice issued, still unpaid 15% penalty
TWC late quarterly filing $25 per day

These penalties apply per deposit period, not per filing. A business making monthly deposits can face penalties on 12 separate tax events per year.

Why EZQ Payroll

Payroll Made Simple

Local Houston Support

Unlike national payroll services with call centers in other states, we're right here in Houston. When you have a question, you talk to someone who knows your business and understands Texas payroll requirements. No phone trees, no waiting on hold.

Integrated with Your Bookkeeping

If we handle your bookkeeping, payroll data flows seamlessly into your financial records. No duplicate entry, no reconciliation headaches. Your books are always accurate and up-to-date with the latest payroll information.

Flexible & Scalable

Starting small? We can grow with you. Adding seasonal workers? No problem. Our payroll services flex to match your business needs, whether you have one employee or are building a larger team.

Transparent Pricing

No hidden fees or surprise charges. Our payroll pricing is a single flat monthly number tied to your employee count and pay frequency. You know exactly what you'll pay each month, making budgeting easy.

Transparent Pricing

Flat Monthly Rate.
No Per-Run Surprises.

National payroll platforms charge a base fee plus a per-employee fee plus a per-run fee. A 10-person team running bi-weekly payroll can hit $150 to $300 per month before add-ons. Our pricing is a single flat monthly number tied to your employee count and pay frequency.

1 to 3 Employees

$75

per month

  • All pay frequencies
  • Direct deposit included
  • 941, 940, TWC filings
  • W-2s at year-end
Most Common

4 to 10 Employees

$150

per month

  • All pay frequencies
  • Direct deposit included
  • 941, 940, TWC filings
  • W-2s and 1099s

11 to 25 Employees

$250

per month

  • All pay frequencies
  • Direct deposit included
  • 941, 940, TWC filings
  • W-2s, 1099s, certified payroll

Over 25 employees? Contact us for a custom quote.

FAQ

Houston Payroll
Questions Answered

What does a Houston payroll service actually do each pay period?

Each pay period we collect approved hours, calculate gross pay, apply all federal and Texas withholdings, run direct deposit, and file the matching payroll tax deposit with the IRS via EFTPS. At quarter-end we file Form 941 and submit your TWC wage report. At year-end we produce W-2s for employees and 1099s for contractors.

What is the IRS trust fund penalty and how does payroll service protect me?

The trust fund recovery penalty equals 100% of unpaid payroll taxes and attaches personally to any responsible person in the business, LLC or not. Professional payroll processing keeps every deposit on schedule via EFTPS, removing the conditions that trigger it.

How much does payroll service cost?

Our payroll services are priced based on pay frequency and number of employees. Most Houston small businesses pay between $75-$250 per month for complete payroll processing. We provide transparent quotes with no hidden fees.

How quickly can I switch payroll providers?

We can typically have you set up within 1-2 weeks, depending on when in the quarter you switch. We handle the transition carefully to ensure no payroll runs are missed and all tax filings remain current.

Do you handle Texas workforce commission (TWC) filings?

Yes, we handle all Texas-specific payroll requirements including quarterly TWC wage reports, unemployment tax payments, and new hire reporting to the Texas Attorney General's office. We keep you compliant with all state requirements.

Can you help with worker classification?

Absolutely. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors is a costly mistake. We help you properly classify workers according to IRS and Texas guidelines, avoiding penalties and ensuring proper tax treatment.

What if I have employees in multiple states?

We handle multi-state payroll, ensuring proper withholding and tax filings for employees in different states. Each state has different requirements, and we navigate them all on your behalf.

Ready for Stress-Free
Payroll?

Stop worrying about payroll deadlines and tax filings. Schedule a free consultation to learn how our Houston payroll services can simplify your life and protect your business.

Call Now Free Consultation