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Home Accounting

Payroll Accounting: Definition, Examples and Costs

Team Happay by Team Happay
August 18, 2022
in Accounting
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Table of Contents

  • What is Payroll Accounting?
  • Expenses Under Payroll Accounting
  • Examples of Payroll Accounting
  • Costs of Payroll Accounting
  • Setting Up Payroll Accounting
  • Can Accounting Software Help With Payroll Accounting?
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does payroll accounting pose a problem for you? Are you unsure about which taxes to withhold from employee paychecks? Payroll accounting consists of documenting all employee compensation records. Payroll accounting in India can be very complicated for business owners unfamiliar with tax laws and regulations. 

This guide will outline the basics of payroll accounting, including payroll accounting, examples of payroll accounting, etc.

What is Payroll Accounting?

It is the method of calculating employee compensation. This includes tracking employee hours, calculating wages, withholding taxes, federal unemployment taxes, etc. 

Payroll accounting can be incredibly complicated due to the numerous taxes required to be withheld from employee paychecks. Business owners must ensure that they withhold the correct amount of taxes from each employee’s compensation and remit those taxes to the appropriate government agencies.

Payroll accounting is also essential for small business owners to ensure that they are compliant with all tax laws and regulations. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, interest, and other consequences.

Expenses Under Payroll Accounting

Payroll expenses are what employers pay to hire workers and keep them on staff. The following are some everyday payroll expenses: 

Payroll taxes 

Employers are responsible for paying payroll taxes, which include federal and state income taxes, social security taxes, and Medicare taxes. 

Wages and salaries 

Wages and salaries are the most considerable payroll expense. This is the money that employers pay to their employees for their work. 

Deductions for FICA taxes

FICA taxes are payroll taxes that are deducted from an employee’s paycheck. 

Benefit withholdings

Benefit withholdings are payroll deductions for health insurance and retirement savings plans. 

Examples of Payroll Accounting

Some examples of payroll accounting include: 

Tracking employee hours worked

Tracking employees’ hours worked is essential in payroll accounting to calculate real wages. This can be done through time sheets, punch cards, or other time tracking methods.

Employee health insurance payable

It also tracks employee health insurance deductions and employer contributions. This information calculates the amount the company will need to pay for health insurance premiums.

Calculating wages

Payroll accounting includes calculating wages based on the number of hours worked and the employee’s hourly pay rate. Overtime, holiday pay, and other factors may also be included in the calculation of wages.

Withholding taxes

Payroll accounting includes withholding taxes from employee paychecks. This includes federal, state, and local taxes. The amount of taxes withheld will depend on the employee’s tax bracket.

Remitting taxes to government agencies

Payroll accounting also includes remitting taxes to the appropriate government agencies. This includes federal, state, and local taxes. The business’s tax liability determines how much tax is due.

Filing payroll tax returns

Payroll accounting also includes filing payroll tax returns with the appropriate government agencies. This is necessary to ensure that the business complies with all tax laws and regulations.

Costs of Payroll Accounting

A company’s payroll costs comprise all the expenses incurred to process payroll. Payroll costs can be significant for businesses, tiny businesses.

Payroll costs include commissions, bonuses, and other forms of compensation. Additional payroll costs include payroll taxes, which are taxes that are withheld from employee paychecks and remitted to government agencies. The cost of payroll can be calculated by adding the following: 

  • The cost of payroll software
  • The cost of payroll taxes
  • The cost of commissions, bonuses, and other forms of compensation paid to employees.

This total payroll cost can then be divided by the number of employees to calculate the average payroll cost per employee.

Setting Up Payroll Accounting

Before starting the hiring process in the payroll system, employers must fulfil some vital requirements. These requirements include:

Obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS 

This is used to identify the business for payroll and tax purposes. A company must get an EIN before it can set up payroll.

Registering the business with the state 

Businesses must register with the state in which they operate. This is necessary to obtain a business license and to comply with state tax laws.

Obtaining workers’ compensation insurance 

Businesses must obtain workers’ compensation insurance to benefit employees injured on the job.

Payment type and periodicity

Payment type is how the payroll will be paid out, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. The payroll period is the time frame in which payroll is processed, such as every two weeks or once a month.

After these requirements have been met, employers can begin the process of hiring employees. When hiring employees, employers must obtain the following information from each employee: 

  • Social Security number 
  • Date of birth 
  • Address 
  • Phone number 

Can Accounting Software Help With Payroll Accounting?

Yes, accounting software can help with payroll accounting. Accounting software can automate payroll tasks such as payroll tax calculations, employee payroll, and payroll deductions. This can save businesses time and money. In addition, accounting software can provide reports to payroll accountants that can help companies to track payroll costs.

When choosing accounting software, businesses should consider their specific needs. For example, companies with multiple employees may need payroll software to handle a larger payroll. Businesses with complex payroll needs may need payroll software offering more features and options. It would be best if you need good accounting software that can do a great job.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a payroll expense?

A payroll expense is a cost incurred by a business to process payroll. This includes payroll software costs, payroll taxes, and so on.

Is payroll an asset or liability?

Payroll is considered a liability because it is money that a business owes to its employees. This money is typically paid out in the form of wages and salaries.

How do I record payroll entries?

Payroll entries can be recorded in several ways. The most common method is to record payroll entries in the payroll journal. This journal includes all payroll transactions, such as payroll tax payments and employee wages.

What are payroll withholding taxes?

Payroll withholding taxes are taxes that are withheld from an employee’s paycheck. These taxes include federal income taxes, state income taxes, and payroll taxes. 

What is accrued payroll?

Accrued payroll is payroll that has been earned by employees but has not yet been paid. This payroll is typically paid out in the next payroll period.

Are payroll withholding taxes an expense or a liability?

Payroll withholding taxes are considered a liability because they are money a business owes its employees. This money is typically paid out in the form of taxes.

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Table of Contents

  • What is Payroll Accounting?
  • Expenses Under Payroll Accounting
  • Examples of Payroll Accounting
  • Costs of Payroll Accounting
  • Setting Up Payroll Accounting
  • Can Accounting Software Help With Payroll Accounting?
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Related Articles

  • 9 Best Accounting Software for Small Business in 2023
  • 11 Best Billing Software for Small Business in 2023
  • 7 Best Zoho Expense Alternatives and Competitors
  • 10 Best Expense Management Software and Tools in 2023
  • 10 Best Expense Reporting Software Systems and Tools in 2023
  • 10 Best Travel Management Software and Systems in 2023
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