Payroll Processes

When you sign up for the Zenefits HR platform, you have the option to add its payroll service for an additional $6 per employee per month. Unfortunately, you cannot purchase the payroll platform separately if this is all you're interested in.

You can view and manage payroll data through your online account or via the company's mobile app. All data is automatically integrated with the Zenefits platform, so you only need to enter or update data once and it's automatically updated everywhere. When onboarding a new hire, the system will automatically prorate his or her first check so you don't have to do this math yourself. When you're ready to run payroll, it only takes three clicks.

The system also contains reporting features that enable you to track payroll over time, though it doesn't appear to offer employees any way to view their pay stubs or benefits online.

Tax Features

The Zenefits payroll software includes automatic federal and state tax filings, plus W-2s for all of your employees. While it is possible to add contract and seasonal workers to the Zenefits platform, the company's website doesn't specify if it also offers 1099s for these employees.

You can file your taxes electronically and the platform maintains all this data in case you'd like to go back and look over your tax returns for previous years. It's unclear from the website whether the platform can assist you in filing quarterly estimated taxes or not or whether you can automate tax payments.

Payment Services

The Zenefits payroll software enables you to directly deposit your employees' paychecks into their bank accounts. It usually takes one to two business days for these funds to appear in their accounts. If employees want their money more quickly, you can print physical checks which they can deposit themselves immediately.

Industry Applications

The Zenefits payroll software doesn't cater to any specific industry, so a variety of businesses can use it. Because its pricing model charges you per-employee, you can easily add seasonal or short-term contract workers and then remove them -- and reduce your costs -- when their work is complete.

Services

You can try a demo of the Zenefits platform before you buy to see if it's something that will work for your business. If you run into any questions, there's a Help Center with useful articles and you can also reach out to the company by phone, email or live chat. But given the intuitiveness and simplicity of the platform, it's unlikely that you'll have a problem.