Payroll Services
Affordable payroll outsourcing.
Quick answer: Payroll means paying employees correctly, withholding and depositing payroll taxes, and filing the quarterly (Form 941) and annual (Form 940) returns. Portside runs payroll through Gusto so it stays accurate and on time.
Portside’s payroll services simplify the complexities of managing employee compensation for small businesses and nonprofits. We handle everything from calculating wages and withholding taxes to filing payroll tax returns and generating detailed reports, so you can focus on running your organization. Our services ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely payments, giving both you and your employees peace of mind. With a fully virtual process and personalized support, we make payroll easy, efficient, and stress-free.
Who This Is For:
- Small businesses with employees
- Nonprofits with employees
- Business owners looking for better payroll
- Any business looking to outsource their payroll to a trustworthy service
Why Choose This Service
Direct deposits and EFT payments
Payroll tax compliance
Custom payroll reporting
W-2 and 1099 tax form issuance
Third-party withholding
Online portal for employees
Unlimited payroll runs
Track employee benefits
What's Included
Complimentary Gusto Subscription
We don't lock you into proprietary payroll software - we give everyone a subscription to Gusto. It's industry-standard for all types of small businesses and nonprofits, and it's your data if you ever leave us.
Gusto Payroll Certified & Gusto People Advisors
All payroll specialists on staff have achieved both Gusto Payroll Certification and are Gusto People Advisors - a.k.a. experts in everything payroll and everything Gusto!
Your Own Dedicated Payroll Specialist
You will be assigned a dedicated bookkeeper with experience in your industry who will remain with you and learn about your business over the course of our work together.
Setup or Migrate Payroll
Seamlessly launch or transition your payroll system for accurate, compliant, and stress-free processing.
Unlimited Payroll Runs
Process payroll as often as needed with no extra fees or limits. Includes off-cycle, new hire, and termination payments.
Pay Employees by Direct Deposit
Ensure fast, secure, and convenient payments directly to employee bank accounts.
Full-Service Payroll Tax Compliance
Handle all payroll tax filings, payments, and compliance automatically.
Custom Payroll Reporting
Generate tailored reports to track payroll, labor costs, and compliance needs.
Annual Issuance of W-2 and 1099 Tax Forms
We'll handle issuing all W-2, 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms at the end of the year, as well as gathering any W-9 forms from vendors throughout the year.
Online Portal & Mobile App for Employees
Give employees 24/7 access to pay stubs, tax forms, and personal details.
Direct Online Access for Employers
Manage payroll, reports, and compliance anytime through an easy-to-use dashboard.
Third-Party Withholding
Simplify garnishments, child support, and other third-party deductions with automated handling.
Integrate with Employee Benefit Providers
Sync payroll with benefit providers for streamlined deductions and contributions.
Digital Employment Document Storage
Securely store and manage employee files and compliance documents online.
Digital Onboarding for New Employees
Speed up hiring with paperless onboarding and e-signature tools.
HR Resources
Access expert HR tools, templates, and guidance to support your business.
Year-Round Advisor Support
Get ongoing payroll support from a trusted advisor whenever you need it.
Easy Employer Onboarding & Review of Year-to-Date Payroll
When you sign up for payroll services, we'll go through a simple onboarding process to gather necessary info about your business, as well as review the bookkeeping you've already completed for the year so far.
Optional Add-ons
Bookkeeping Setups & Catchups
Get your business started on the right foot with a customized accounting system tailored to your needs, or bring your books up to date quickly and accurately, no matter how far behind.
Ongoing Bookkeeping & Accounting
Keep your finances organized with reliable monthly bookkeeping and reporting.
State Sales Tax Filings
Stay compliant with accurate and timely sales tax reporting and remittance.
Back Office Services (AR/AP)
Streamline invoicing, bill pay, and cash flow management with done-for-you support.
Business Tax Prep & Filing
File your business taxes with confidence through expert preparation, compliance, and strategic guidance.
Reasonable Compensation Analysis for S-Corp Owners
Ensure IRS compliance with data-backed salary benchmarks for S-Corp owners.
Tax Relief & Resolution
Whether it's filing overdue returns, reducing tax debt, or negotiating penalties, we've got you covered.
Merchant Services
Merchant processing services for small businesses. No hidden fees. No long-term contracts. Just honest, transparent pricing — from a firm that already knows your books.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Portside handle my W-2 and 1099 forms?
Sure do!
If you have payroll services with us, that includes preparation, filing, and mailing of W-2 forms, as well as 1099 forms for contractors paid through your payroll software package.
If you have bookkeeping services with us, that includes preparation, filing, and mailing of 1099 forms to all necessary vendors and independent contractors.
We can also provide 1099 services even if your books aren't done by Portside - we would just need some extra information from you to ensure everything is up to snuff.
Can I migrate from another bookkeeping or accounting system?
Yes, we have done this for a number of clients!
If you're already working with a system and love it, we wouldn't dream of making you switch - as long as we are familiar with it! We prefer to set up new clients on Quickbooks Online, but also work with Xero, Freshbooks, and Wave.
Do you provide bookkeeping and payroll software?
Yes, we use industry-standard bookkeeping and payroll software that you will gain a subscription to as part of our services.
For bookkeeping, we prefer Quickbooks Online as we are Quickbooks ProAdvisors (meaning we are experts in everything to do with Quickbooks).
For payroll, we usually use Gusto.
If you are already using a bookkeeping or payroll system you love, that's okay with us - provided that we know how to use it so we can work together! We help clients with Quickbooks Online, Xero, Freshbooks, Wave, Gusto, ADP, OnPay, and more.
Professional Resources
Our services are designed to meet professional standards and regulatory requirements. For additional information about tax compliance and best practices, we recommend consulting:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Official tax information and forms
- American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) - Professional accounting standards
- Small Business Administration (SBA) - Business compliance resources
- IRS Exempt Organizations - Nonprofit tax requirements