Running payroll shouldn’t take hours out of your workweek or keep you up at night worrying about missed tax deadlines. Between calculating withholdings, filing quarterly tax reports, issuing W-2s, and staying compliant with state and federal labor laws, payroll is one of the most time-consuming, and error-prone tasks for small business owners.

Small Business Payroll Services in St. Louis

At STL Tax, led by St. Louis CPA James Coats, we provide streamlined, accurate, and affordable payroll processing services tailored specifically for small businesses in the Greater St. Louis area and across Missouri.

Whether you are a solo S-Corporation owner needing reasonable salary processing or a growing business with a team of W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, we take the entire payroll burden off your plate.

Why Outsource Payroll to a Local CPA Firm?

Many small business owners try to manage payroll using confusing DIY software or large national automated platforms. However, when issues arise such as state tax notices, garnishment orders, or S-Corp officer compensation adjustments national platforms leave you with automated call centers and unhelpful support tickets.

Working with a dedicated St. Louis CPA firm gives you direct access to expert guidance and personal support:

  1. Zero Penalty Guarantees: We handle all federal, Missouri, and local payroll tax filings and deposits accurately and on time, eliminating costly IRS and state tax penalties.
  2. S-Corporation Reasonable Salary Optimization: For S-Corp owners, setting the correct salary split between payroll and distributions is critical to legally minimizing self-employment tax while remaining IRS-compliant.
  3. Seamless Accounting Integration: Because we understand the big picture of your financial health, your payroll data flows directly into your Small Business Bookkeeping and year-end Tax Preparation.
  4. Personal, Accessible Service: Speak directly with local accounting professionals who know your business by name—not a distant call center representative.

Comprehensive Payroll Solutions for Missouri Businesses

We customize our payroll services to fit your exact business structure and operating schedule:

Complete Payroll Processing

  1. Weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly pay schedules
  2. Direct deposit for fast, secure employee payments or physical check preparation
  3. Clear, detailed digital pay stubs for your employees

Payroll Tax Compliance & Reporting

  1. Automatic federal withholding, Social Security, and Medicare tax payments
  2. Missouri state income tax withholding and local earnings tax filings (including St. Louis City earnings tax)
  3. Quarterly payroll tax returns (IRS Form 941, MO Form MODES-4)
  4. Annual federal unemployment and tax reconciliation (IRS Form 940)

Year-End Reporting & Worker Classifications

  1. Preparation and filing of annual W-2s for employees and 1099-NEC forms for independent contractors
  2. Guidance on proper worker classification (W-2 employee vs. 1099 contractor) to protect your business from audit risks

Bundling Payroll with Year-Round Business Accounting

Payroll is most effective when paired with proactive financial management. By combining payroll processing with our monthly bookkeeping, QuickBooks support, and proactive tax planning, you get a complete back-office solution for a predictable monthly fee.

Streamline Your Entire Financial System

Stop juggling multiple vendors for payroll, bookkeeping, and tax filings. Book an appointment online or call us at (314) 645-1614 to build a package tailored for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does outsourcing payroll to STL Tax save my business money?

Hiring an in-house payroll specialist or fixing costly payroll tax errors made via DIY software is expensive. Outsourcing your payroll to STL Tax provides expert CPA oversight at a fraction of the cost of an employee, while protecting you from steep IRS penalty charges.

Do you handle payroll for single-member S-Corporations?

Yes! Single-owner S-Corps are one of our specialties. We ensure you meet IRS “reasonable compensation” guidelines through regular or quarterly officer payroll runs while helping you optimize distributions for maximum tax savings.

How do we get started transitioning our payroll to STL Tax?

Switching to STL Tax is seamless. We gather your employee records, current year pay histories, and tax setup information, handle the complete system transfer, and ensure no payroll cycles or tax deposits are missed.

Get a Customized Payroll Quote Today

Take payroll off your to-do list so you can focus on growing your business. Contact St. Louis CPA James Coats at STL Tax to discuss your payroll needs.

  • Phone: (314) 645-1614
  • Office Address: 8128 Gravois Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123
  • Online or In Office Appointments: Book an Appointment