Business payroll in Texas can be a challenge. To comply with federal and state regulations regarding wages, taxes, unemployment and worker's compensation takes a trained professional. With that in mind, many business owners are shifting to a new business model - outsourcing. To stay competitive in this global market, businesses are outsourcing to Texas payroll services and focusing their own efforts on tasks that generate revenue.

Providers of payroll services in Texas pinpoint the services you need and take the headache out of the payroll process. Texas payroll services offer as little or as much assistance as you need. But, how do you decide what you need? Make a list of services you want and then compare payroll service providers in Texas - features, prices and levels of service. Some of the options you have are:

1. National firms that offer Texas payroll processing services;

2. Local companies with that home town flavor that understand the unique challenges of payroll processing in Texas;

3. Banks that offer payroll services in Texas to cater to the ever-changing needs of their clients;

4. Bookkeeping firms that consolidate payroll service in Texas with their accounting services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Examine payroll delivery options offered by payroll service providers in Texas

Offer an alternative to getting a check in the mail, and your employees will love you. Almost all payroll services in Texas provide employee direct deposit or pay card options.

I recommend: Direct Deposit Plus offers a feature-rich direct deposit option, pay cards, and electronic pay stubs. Paychex allows employees to split their pay among several accounts or deposit to a pay card.

Explore time and attendance solutions integrated with each Texas payroll service

Time and attendance systems can virtually eliminate timekeeping paperwork. They are also an efficient way to reduce the payroll errors that go hand-in-hand with manual timekeeping systems.

I recommend: ADP offers complete workforce management solutions as part of their time and attendance product line. The time and attendance offering from Qqest Payroll Services includes hardware and software solutions - even biometric time clocks.

Analyze reporting tools to streamline Texas payroll management

Management reports provide a comprehensive arsenal of tools to help you track your financial well-being and make sound business decisions. These reports summarize your labor costs, payroll liability and labor distribution.

I recommend: Payroll Services of Texas offers a user-friendly web interface for 24/7 availability and print-on-demand management reports. Advantage Payroll Services provides a menu of over 150 reports to cover every aspect of your business payroll in Texas.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you ask the annual cost for each of the payroll service providers in Texas. Verify that total includes year end processing charges.
• •  If you operate in multiple states or international locations, ask your Texas payroll services if they will provide tax filing services for those additional locations.
• •  Most importantly, request references from current clients in your industry. Providers of payroll services in Texas should be happy to supply the information.