TIPS FOR BUSINESSES THAT OUTSOURCE PAYROLL DUTIES

Many employers outsource their payroll and related tax duties to third-party payers such as payroll service providers and reporting agents (often referred to as service bureaus).  Reputable payable service bureaus can help employers streamline their business operations by collecting and timely depositing payroll taxes on the employer’s behalf and filing required payroll tax returns with state and federal authorities.

Though most payroll service bureaus provide very good service, there are, unfortunately, some who do not have their clients’ best interests at heart.  Over the past year, a number of these companies have been prosecuted for stealing funds intended for the payment of payroll taxes.  So, a thorough background investigation is essential.

There are several different types of payroll service bureaus.  Regardless of the type of your business uses, it’s important to understand that the service bureau is only acting as an agent.  This means state and federal tax authorities will hold-the employer-responsible for the service bureau’s errors or omissions.

Like employers who handle their own payroll duties, employers who outsource payroll duties are still legally responsible for any and all payroll taxes due.  This includes any federal income taxes withheld as well as both the employer and employee’s share of social security and Medicare taxes.  This is true even if the employer forwards tax amounts to the service bureau to make the required deposits or payments.

If you use a service bureau to process some or all of your payroll functions, here are some steps you can take to protect the company from unscrupulous service bureaus.

  • Be familiar with your payroll tax due dates.  Require the payroll service provider to provide timely proof that it has actually performed the requested services.
  • Consider performing some payroll activities yourself.   For example, you could ask the service bureau to prepare the withholding reports and send them to you for review.  After reviewing the reports, you can make the deposit directly.
  • Investigate the service bureau’s financial condition and credit standing, both initially and on a periodic basis thereafter.  How are the company’s funds isolated from financial problems to which the bureau or its other clients may suffer, and what coverage and conditions apply to fiduciary bonds for service bureau employees?   This is important because little protection or recourse is available to employers whose service bureau misuses funds intended for payroll tax payments and then goes bankrupt.  Having the funds held in trust will also protect the funds from an IRS levy of the service bureau’s bank account.
  • Document clearly in the contract the service bureau’s policy on indemnifying the company for interest and penalties that the service bureau’s errors cause.
  • Make sure your service bureau uses the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make tax deposits.  Then, enroll in and use EFTPS to check your company’s payment history to ensure the service bureau is properly carrying out its tax deposit responsibilities.
  • Use your Company’s address (not the service bureau’s) as the address on record with the IRS.  Doing so ensures that the company will continue to receive bills, notices, and other account-related correspondence from the IRS.  It also provides a way to monitor the service bureau and easily spot any improper diversion of funds.
  • Contact the IRS about any bills or notices as soon as possible. This is especially important if it involves a payment that the service bureau should have made.  Call the number on the bill, write to the IRS office that send the bill, or contact the IRS business tax hotline at 800-829-4933.

If you have any questions, please give us a call.