Payroll Complete Blog

Why Rerunning Payroll Costs More Than You Think—And How to Avoid It

By Amy Ragan | July 15, 2025 |
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Here’s a familiar payroll panic: it’s Thursday afternoon, payday is looming, and suddenly you realize someone’s hours weren’t entered, a deduction was missed, or a new employee wasn’t added to the run. Cue the frantic call to rerun payroll. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. At Payroll Complete, we work with small businesses across Alabama who…

Why Payroll Audits Happen—And How to Be Ready When They Do

By Amy Ragan | July 8, 2025 |
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When most small business owners think of audits, their minds jump straight to taxes. But payroll audits? They’re just as common—and potentially even more damaging if you’re caught unprepared. Whether triggered by a disgruntled former employee, an IRS review, or simply a missed filing, payroll audits are something every business in Alabama should take seriously.…

7 Payroll Mistakes Alabama Small Businesses Can’t Afford to Make

By Amy Ragan | July 1, 2025 |
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If you own or manage a small business in Alabama, you already wear too many hats—owner, manager, HR, maybe even lunch runner. But when it comes to payroll, a “do-it-yourself and hope for the best” approach can lead to costly mistakes, penalties, or worse: upset employees. At Payroll Complete, we’ve seen our fair share of…

6 Warning Signs Your HR Processes Need an Upgrade

By Amy Ragan | June 24, 2025 |
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Even if you’re not running a large corporation with a 20-person HR department, your business still relies on human resources processes—whether it’s onboarding, tracking PTO, managing employee data, or ensuring compliance. But if those systems feel more like a paper trail scavenger hunt than a smooth operation, it may be time to pause and take…

10 Timekeeping Benefits That Can Transform Your Payroll with Payroll Complete

By Amy Ragan | June 17, 2025 |
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Running a business without strong timekeeping tools is like managing inventory with a blindfold—it’s risky, messy, and bound to cost you. If your company is still relying on paper timesheets, manual clock-ins, or patchwork systems, it might be time for an upgrade. At Payroll Complete, we offer a fully integrated timekeeping solution powered by MyEmployerOnTheGo,…

Direct Deposit vs. Paper Checks: Why the Switch Might Save You Thousands

By Amy Ragan | June 10, 2025 |
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When it comes to paying your team, it may seem like just another routine task—but the method you choose matters more than you think. If your business is still handing out paper checks on payday, it’s time to take a closer look at what that’s really costing you. At Payroll Complete, we’ve seen firsthand how…

The Truth About Paying Employees Under the Table: Risks, Realities, and Smarter Solutions

By Amy Ragan | June 3, 2025 |
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Let’s face it: Payroll is one of the most complicated and regulated areas of running a business. Between federal rules, state laws, and employee expectations, it can feel overwhelming. So it’s no surprise that some business owners (especially those just starting out) have considered the idea of paying someone “under the table.” But here’s the…

Payroll Prep for Summer Hires: What Employers Need to Know About Interns & Seasonal Workers

By Amy Ragan | May 29, 2025 |
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When the Alabama heat rolls in, so do summer hires. Whether you’re staffing a retail store, restaurant, clinic, landscaping crew, or hosting a few ambitious interns, adding temporary or part-time employees comes with unique payroll responsibilities. It’s not just about onboarding quickly—it’s about staying compliant, fair, and efficient. At Payroll Complete, we know that seasonal…

Restaurant Payroll: How to Stay Tip-Top with Tip Reporting & Overtime Rules

By Amy Ragan | May 21, 2025 |
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Running a restaurant in Alabama is no small feat. Between managing food costs, keeping guests happy, and training staff, payroll might feel like one more plate you have to keep spinning. But payroll for restaurants isn’t just about cutting checks—it’s a tightrope walk through complex wage laws, overtime rules, and tip reporting requirements. Whether you…

The Hidden Costs of Payroll Compliance Mistakes (and How to Protect Your Business)

By Amy Ragan | May 13, 2025 |
The Hidden Costs of Payroll Compliance Mistakes (and How to Protect Your Business)

When most business owners think about payroll compliance, they picture tax filings, W-2s, garnishments, and deductions. And while it’s true that payroll compliance is about checking all those boxes, what many overlook is the cost of getting it wrong. Payroll mistakes can feel small in the moment—one late tax filing, one miscalculated paycheck—but the true…