Patriot Software offers two payroll service options—Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll—along with optional add-ons like Time & Attendance. This guide explains how to calculate the monthly cost for your business based on the number of employees and any additional features you choose.
Accountant Partners: You'll receive special pricing based on the number of active clients they have in Patriot. Please see our Accountant Partner Help for more information.
Overview of Payroll Services
Basic Payroll: A cost-effective solution for businesses that handle their own tax filings.
Full Service Payroll: Includes tax filing services, making it a more comprehensive option.
Cost Breakdown for Basic Payroll
To calculate the monthly cost for Basic Payroll:
Start with the base fee of $17 per month.
Add $4 per worker paid in the month.
Formula: $17 base fee + ($4 × number of workers paid) For example, for 30 workers paid in the month:
$17 base fee + ($4 × 30) = $137/month
If you don’t run payroll during a month, you’ll only pay the base fee for your software subscriptions. You won’t be charged employee fees for that month.
Cost Breakdown for Full Service Payroll
To calculate the monthly cost for Full Service Payroll when you are only filing in one state:
Start with the base fee of $37 per month.
Add $5 per worker paid in the month. This fee is charged once per month per worker — not per payroll run. If you run payroll twice in a month, the fee is still $5 per worker (not $10).
Formula: $37 per month base fee for Full Service Payroll +($5 x worker paid) and filing in just one state (included)
$37 base fee + (5x30) = $187/month
Full Service Payroll Multi-State Filing Fees
If you use Full Service Payroll and need to file taxes in multiple states, the first state is included in the base fee. Each additional state costs $12 per month.
Formula: $37 base fee + ($5 × number of workers paid) + ($12 × number additional states) For example, for 30 employees in two states:
Full Service Payroll: $37 base fee + ($5 × 30) worker fee + ($12 × 2) additional state fees = $223/month
If you don’t run payroll during a month, you’ll only pay the base fee for your software subscriptions. You won’t be charged employee fees for that month.
Add-ons and Additional Fees
Time & Attendance Add-on
This optional feature helps track employee hours and integrates seamlessly with payroll services. To calculate the cost:
Start with the base fee of $6 per month.
Add $2 per W-2 employee who uses a time card.
Formula: $6 base fee + ($2 × number of employees who use a time card) For example, for 30 W-2 employees:
$6 base fee + ($2 × 30 W-2 employees who use a time card) = $66/month
If you ONLY use the request management feature (none of your employees use a time card) the charge will only be the base price of $6/month with no per employee fee.
If you don’t run payroll during a month, you’ll only pay the base fee for your software subscriptions. You won’t be charged employee fees for that month.
Example Calculations
Basic Payroll with Time & Attendance
For 30 employees who were paid during the month and used time cards:
Basic Payroll: $17 + ($4 × 30) = $137/month
Time & Attendance: $6 + ($2 × 30) = $66/month
Total: $203/month
Full Service Payroll with Time & Attendance
For 30 employees who were paid and used time cards in the month:
Full Service Payroll: $37 base fee + ($5 × 30) = $187/month
Time & Attendance: $6 base fee + ($2 × 30) = $66/month
Total: $253/month
If you don’t run payroll during a month, you’ll only pay the base fee for your software subscriptions. You won’t be charged employee fees for that month.
HR Software Add-on
This optional feature allows you to streamline your HR tasks and manage employee documents. It integrates seamlessly with payroll services. To calculate the cost:
Start with the base fee of $6 per month.
Add $2 per W-2 employee paid in the month
Formula: $6 base fee + ($2 × number of W-2 employees paid) For example, for 30 W-2 employees paid during the month:
$6 + ($2 × 30) = $66/month
For 30 employees who were paid in the month:
Full Service Payroll: $37 base fee + ($5 × 30) = $187/month
HR Software: $6 base fee + ($2 × 30) = $66/month
Total: $253/month
If you don’t run payroll during a month, you’ll only pay the base fee for your software subscriptions. You won’t be charged employee fees for that month.
Optional HR Add-on: HR Experts and Training
HR Experts is an optional HR Software add on that gives you unlimited access to HR experts and over 147 training courses. The cost is $45/month. This monthly fee is a flat fee. To calculate the cost of the HR software with HR Experts and Training
Start with the HR base fee of $6 per month
Add $2 per W-2 employee paid
Add $45
Formula: $6 base fee + ($2 x number of W-2 worker paid) + $45 (HR experts and training add-on)
For full service payroll for 30 W-2 employees paid in the month with HR software and HR experts and Training:
Full Service Payroll: $37 base fee + ($5 × 30) = $187/month
HR Software: $6 base fee + ($2 × 30) = $66/month
HR Experts and Training Add-on = $45
Total= $298
You will be charged a flat $45 for the HR Experts and Training on your monthly invoice if the HR Experts and Training was active at any time the previous month.