Resources Hub
Stay informed with payroll guides, tax resources, compliance updates and practical insights for growing businesses.
Important Payroll & Tax Deadlines
Never miss critical filing dates. Stay compliant with key federal payroll and tax deadlines throughout the year.
02
MondayFebruary 2, 2026
- W-2 Forms — Issuance to employees and filing with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- 1099-NEC Forms — Issuance to independent contractors and filing with the IRS.
- Q4 2025 Payroll Tax Return — File Form 941.
16
MondayMarch 16, 2026
- Partnership Tax Return — Form 1065.
- S-Corporation Tax Return — Form 1120-S.
15
WednesdayApril 15, 2026
- Individual Tax Returns — Form 1040.
- C-Corporation Tax Returns.
- Q1 Estimated Tax Payment.
30
ThursdayApril 30, 2026
- Q1 Payroll Tax Return — Form 941.
- Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) — Wage reports and payroll taxes due.
Salary & Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal taxes and standard deductions instantly.
How often are you paid?
How are you paid?
Any overtime?
What's the date of the paycheck you're calculating?
Use 2019 or earlier version of Form W-4?
Are you a nonresident alien?
Work more than one job or your spouse works?
Are you exempt from Federal Income Tax Withholding?
Are you exempt from Social Security Tax?
Are you exempt from Medicare Tax?
Where do you work?
Do you live in another state?
Are you exempt from State Income Tax Withholding?
What are you paying for benefits?
These benefits will be calculated as pre-tax benefits (excluding Roth 401(k) and 403(b)), meaning they are excluded from your taxable wages. However, some states (for example NJ and PA) require that certain benefits be included in taxable wages for state purposes.
Retirement
W-2 Employee vs. 1099 Independent Contractor
Understand complex workforce classifications based on Paychex guidelines to mitigate audit flags, tax re-allocations, and compliance risks.
| Core Parameter | W-2 Employee | 1099 Independent Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Control | Employer dictates how, when, and where the work is performed. Extensive system training and direct supervisor feedback are standard. | Worker acts autonomously. They define their own hours, use personal tools/methods, and are only responsible for the final milestone product. |
| Financial & Pay Logic | Guaranteed regular hourly wage or salary matching standard pay periods. Expenses are generally covered or reimbursed directly by the business. | Paid via flat project rates, flat retainers, or custom invoicing patterns. Bears direct financial risk and manages independent overhead/operational expenses. |
| Type of Relationship | Hired for indefinite terms or long-term operational tracks. Entitled to standard benefits like healthcare, 401(k), paid time off, and workers' compensation. | Defined via explicit project-based statement of work (SOW) agreements. Does not qualify for employer benefits packages; provides services to multiple businesses simultaneously. |
| Tax & Filing System | Employer automatically deducts income taxes, FICA (Social Security & Medicare), and tracks ongoing FUTA/SUTA liabilities. Reports annually via Form W-2. | Responsible for paying their own self-employment taxes (SECA). Business pays gross invoiced amounts directly without withholding. Reports annually via Form 1099-NEC. |
Essential Employment Forms
Download, print, or review critical federal compliance forms for employer setup and verified onboarding workflows.
Form W-4
Employee's Withholding Certificate. Used to verify federal payroll income tax withholding parameters matched to individual allowance or standard dependency filing preferences.
Form I-9
Employment Eligibility Verification. Mandatory documentation required to authenticate identity and legal employment authorization criteria for workers hired within the United States.