Use this article to find Patriot’s year-end payroll webinar recording, download the Top 10 Payroll Tasks guide, and download the year-end payroll checklist for Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll customers.
Year-end is a busy time for payroll support. Before contacting Support, search the Payroll Help Center or click Get Help at the top of any page in your Patriot software account. Searching help articles can often answer year-end payroll questions faster.
Who should use these year-end payroll resources?
Use these resources if you are preparing payroll for the end of the year in Patriot Payroll.
These resources apply to:
Basic Payroll customers, including customers who file their own payroll taxes
Full Service Payroll customers, including customers who need to complete or confirm tax filing setup before Patriot files payroll taxes
To confirm whether your company uses Basic Payroll or Full Service Payroll, go to:
Log in to your software account
Click the “My Products” link found under your company ID number on the top left.
Watch the year-end payroll webinar recording
Watch the recording of Patriot’s Top 10 Payroll Tasks to Prepare for Year-end webinar.
The webinar was presented on December 3, 2025. The video is divided into chapters so you can jump to the payroll topic you need.
To use the video chapters:
Start the webinar recording.
Click the Chapters icon in the bottom-right corner of the video player.
Select the topic you want to watch.
Video summary
The webinar explains common year-end payroll tasks customers should review before closing the year. Use the webinar with the downloadable guide and checklist so you can confirm employee information, review payroll entries, prepare year-end forms, and understand which tasks apply to Basic Payroll or Full Service Payroll customers.
Download the Top 10 Payroll Tasks guide
The Top 10 Payroll Tasks to Prepare for Year-end guide includes year-end payroll tasks and instructions for completing them in Patriot Payroll.
Use this guide when you need step-by-step help preparing payroll information before year-end.
The guide includes tasks such as:
Verifying employee names, Social Security numbers, and current addresses
Recording earnings that happened outside regular payroll
Handling special year-end payrolls
Determining which employees should be paid for unused time off
Reviewing benefit enrollment changes for the new year
Determining payroll deadlines for the final payroll of the year
Confirming money is set up to report in the correct Form W-2 boxes
How to download the Top 10 Payroll Tasks guide
Click the image of the Top 10 Payroll Tasks to Prepare for Year-end PDF.
The PDF opens in a new browser tab.
Right-click the PDF.
Select Save As.
Save the PDF to your computer.
After downloading the guide, you can email it as an attachment or print it.
Top 10 Payroll Tasks to Prepare for Year-end guide from Patriot Software.
The Year-end Payroll Checklist for Basic and Full Service Customers helps you track year-end payroll responsibilities.
Use the checklist to confirm which tasks apply to your Patriot Payroll service level.
Basic Payroll Customers
Basic Payroll customers are generally responsible for completing and filing their own payroll tax forms.
Use the checklist to review tasks such as:
Running bonus payrolls early
Adding S corporation health insurance to payroll, if applicable
Creating and reviewing employee Forms W-2 after all payrolls are in the system
Distributing Forms W-2 to employees by the required deadline
Filing required federal, state, and local payroll tax forms, if applicable
Reviewing Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC, if applicable
Updating deductions, contributions, workers’ compensation information, and SUTA rates for the new year, if applicable
Full Service Payroll Customers
Full Service Payroll customers should complete required payroll updates before Patriot files applicable payroll tax forms.
Use the checklist to review tasks such as:
Running bonus payrolls before the year-end deadline
Adding S corporation health insurance to employees by the year-end deadline, if applicable
Making payroll edits or changes before the deadline
Reviewing Forms W-2 after all payrolls are in the system
Confirming 1099 payment information, if applicable
Updating deductions, contributions, workers’ compensation information, and SUTA rates for the new year, if applicable
If you need payroll edits or changes after the year-end deadline, you may need to request an amended return.
Common year-end payroll deadlines to review
Payroll deadlines can change when a due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday. Always confirm current federal, state, and local deadlines before filing.
Common federal payroll year-end deadlines include:
Forms W-2 and W-3: Employers generally must furnish Forms W-2 to employees and file Forms W-2 with the Social Security Administration by January 31.
Form 941 for fourth quarter: Form 941 is generally due by the last day of the month after the quarter ends.
Form 940: Form 940 is generally due January 31 after the end of the calendar year.
Form 1099-NEC: Form 1099-NEC is generally due to the IRS by January 31.
Form 1099-MISC: Form 1099-MISC is generally due to the IRS by February 28 if filed on paper or March 31 if filed electronically.
State and local payroll tax deadlines vary. Check with the appropriate state or local tax agency for exact due dates and filing requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find Patriot’s year-end payroll webinar?
You can watch the year-end payroll webinar recording in this article. The recording is divided into chapters so you can jump to the topic you need.
What is included in the Top 10 Payroll Tasks guide?
The guide includes common year-end payroll tasks and instructions for completing them in Patriot Payroll. It helps you review payroll information before closing the year.
What is included in the year-end payroll checklist?
The checklist helps Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll customers review year-end payroll responsibilities. It includes tasks for bonus payrolls, S corporation health insurance, Forms W-2, Forms 1099, tax filing responsibilities, and new-year payroll updates.
How do I know whether I use Basic Payroll or Full Service Payroll?
Log in to your software account
Click the “My Products” link found under your company ID number on the top left.
Should I contact Support for year-end payroll questions?
You can contact Support when you need help with a specific issue. Because year-end is a busy time, search the Payroll Help Center first or click Get Help at the top of any page in the software. You may find the answer faster there.
Do Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll customers have the same year-end responsibilities?
No. Some year-end tasks apply to both Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll customers, but tax filing responsibilities may differ. Basic Payroll customers generally file their own payroll taxes. Full Service Payroll customers should complete required setup and payroll updates so Patriot can file applicable payroll taxes.
What should I do if I need to make payroll changes after the year-end deadline?
If you need to make payroll edits or changes after the year-end deadline, you may need to request an amended return. Review your account, confirm what changed, and contact Patriot Support if you need help determining the next step.