StartEaseSimple pricing. One price for every state.
Run payroll yourself, or have a dedicated payroll manager run it for you.
You want to run payroll yourself, without the fear of getting it wrong.
Includes 5 employees. $5 a month for each employee after that.
Book a meetingYou run payroll. The platform checks it.
- Every payroll checked against 14 federal and state rules
- Unlimited payrolls, including off-cycle runs
- Timesheets, time off and company holidays
- Employee self-onboarding: W-4, I-9 and pay details
- Every federal and state tax form prepared, with its due date
- All 50 states and DC. No extra charge for employees in more states
You want payroll off your plate entirely.
Billed by the hour for the work done each month, not a fixed monthly fee. We estimate the hours on a short call.
Book a callEverything in Payroll software, plus:
- A dedicated payroll manager runs every payroll for your approval
- Federal deposits and returns filed for you as your authorized agent (IRS Form 8655), if you choose
- State unemployment and withholding returns filed for you in each state, once you sign the authorization each state requires
- State payroll registration in each state where you have employees
- Agency notices explained, and replies prepared for you to approve
- New hires onboarded, leavers' final pay set up
- A monthly summary: what ran, what it cost, what is due next
Every form, every deadline, in all 50 states and DC.
Both plans prepare these forms from your approved payrolls and put every due date on one calendar. No extra charge for employees in more than one state.
| Form or filing | How often | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Federal tax deposits (income tax withheld, Social Security, Medicare) | Monthly or semiweekly, as the IRS assigns | Paid through EFTPS |
| Form 941: employer’s federal return | Every quarter | Form 944 once a year instead, only if the IRS told the company in writing |
| Form 940: federal unemployment tax (FUTA) | Once a year | |
| State unemployment tax (SUTA) reports | Every quarter, in each state | |
| State income tax withholding reports | As each state requires | |
| New-hire reports | For each new hire | To the state where the employee works |
| W-2 for each employee, and W-3 | Once a year | $10 per W-2 |
| 1099-NEC for each US contractor | Once a year | $10 per 1099-NEC |
Payroll software: you file and pay from your own accounts, using the prepared forms. Managed payroll: your payroll manager makes the federal deposits and files the federal returns when you name StartEase your authorized agent on IRS Form 8655, and files the state unemployment and withholding returns once you sign the authorization each state requires. Where you have not authorized us, we remind you before each due date and record your confirmation number.
Which plan is right for you?
| Feature | Payroll software | Managed payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Every payroll checked against 14 federal and state rules | Included | Included |
| You approve every payroll | Included | Included |
| Unlimited payrolls and off-cycle runs | Included | Included |
| Someone runs payroll for you | Not included | Included |
| Timesheet and approval follow-up | Not included | Included |
| State payroll registration | Not included | Included |
| Replies to agency notices prepared | Not included | Included |
| Support | Email, within one business day | Your payroll manager |
| All 50 states and DC, no extra charge for more states | Included | Included |
| Every tax form prepared, with its due date | Included | Included |
| Federal deposits and returns filed for you (IRS Form 8655) | Not included | Included |
| State unemployment and withholding returns filed for you | Not included | Included |
| Price | $60 a month for up to 5 employees, then $5 each | Hourly, for the work done each month; hours estimated on a call |
Pricing questions.
How much does payroll cost for a small business with StartEase?
Payroll software is $60 a month for up to 5 employees, then $5 a month for each employee after that: $85 for 10 employees, $135 for 20. Year-end forms are $10 per W-2 and per 1099-NEC. There is no setup fee.
Which payroll tax forms are included?
Both plans prepare federal tax deposits, Form 941 every quarter, Form 940 (FUTA) once a year, state unemployment (SUTA) and withholding reports, new-hire reports, and W-2, W-3 and 1099-NEC forms at year end, with every due date on one calendar.
Do you cover all 50 states?
Yes. StartEase covers all 50 states and DC, at one price. There is no extra charge for employees in more than one state.
How is Managed payroll priced?
By the hour, for the work your payroll manager does each month. It is not a fixed monthly fee. We estimate the hours on a short call, and you pay the Payroll software price as well.
How do I get an account?
Book a meeting. Accounts are created by invitation for now. We open your account, and you set up your company yourself.
What counts as an employee?
Each employee who got a paycheck from you that month, including people on paid leave and someone who left and got their final pay. Employees on unpaid leave all month, or seasonal staff you did not pay that month, are not counted. Contractors are never counted.
Is there a free trial?
No. When a company you refer runs its first payroll with StartEase, you and that company each get one month free.
Can I switch to Managed payroll later?
Yes. Your data stays where it is, and your payroll manager starts from your current setup.
Do you make our tax deposits?
On Managed payroll, yes: federal deposits and returns when you name StartEase your authorized agent on IRS Form 8655, and state unemployment and withholding returns once you sign the authorization each state requires. On Payroll software, your company makes its own deposits and filings from its own accounts, and the calendar shows each due date.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Payroll software is month to month: cancel any time and keep access until the end of the month you paid for. We do not refund part of a month. Managed payroll needs 30 days' notice, so your payroll manager can finish the current pay period.
We never hold your money: you pay employees and contractors from your own bank account. We do not give legal or HR advice.
Not sure which plan fits?
Book 30 minutes. We will look at your employees, states and pay schedule with you.
Book a meeting