Payroll at the Core. Compliance, Support, and Service All Around It.

At Paper Trails, every client gets more than just payroll runs—you get a dedicated account rep, compliance management, and access to award-winning tools that make paying your team easy and accurate.

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Why Payroll Matters to Your Business

Payroll is more than just cutting checks—it’s the heartbeat of your business. When employees are paid accurately and on time, trust builds, morale stays high, and compliance worries fade into the background. But payroll also comes with a maze of tax rules, reporting deadlines, and wage laws that change constantly—especially for businesses in Maine and those with remote or multi-state employees.

Outsourcing payroll to experts means you can stop stressing over calculations and filings and focus on running your business. At Paper Trails, we handle the details, so you don’t have to.

Core Features of our Payroll Services

Payroll is the foundation of every relationship we have with our clients. From there, we layer in the things that make Paper Trails different: local expertise, a real human to call, and the tools you need to work smarter.

Full Service Payroll
Payroll Tax Filings
Local Support
Compliance Management
Award-Winning App
Data Security

Take the Stress Out of Payday

We handle calculations, deductions, and payments for every type of employee—hourly, salaried, tipped, or working across multiple positions. Our system automatically accounts for blended overtime when employees work at different rates, shift differentials for nights or weekends, and department or job tracking so labor costs are allocated correctly. We also manage tip reporting for hospitality businesses and certified payroll with prevailing wage compliance for government contracts. The result? Accurate paydays, clean records, and stress-free compliance—even for complex jobs.

Accurate, On-Time Filing

Say goodbye to juggling tax deadlines or worrying about costly mistakes. We calculate, deposit, and file all federal, state, and local payroll taxes on your behalf, including quarterly reports and year-end forms like W-2s and 1099s. Audit-ready reports are always available when you, or your CPA, need them. With Paper Trails, you can trust that your payroll taxes are filed accurately and on time, every time.

Local Expertise, Personal Service

Skip the 1-800 number and work directly with a payroll expert who knows your business inside and out. Every client has one consistent point of contact for all payroll needs, offering quick answers, proactive support, and local expertise from people who understand Maine businesses. From setup and transitions to day-to-day payroll questions, you always have someone ready to help. We ANSWER your questions, RESPOND to your needs, and PROTECT your business.

Stay Ahead of Changing Labor Laws

Payroll isn’t just about paying employees—it’s about staying compliant with complex and ever-changing labor laws. We provide guidance on wage and hour rules, employee classification, and Maine-specific requirements like Paid Family and Medical Leave or Earned Paid Leave. Our team helps with audits, recordkeeping, and proactive updates when regulations change so you’re always prepared. We give you peace of mind knowing your payroll is accurate and your business is protected from costly compliance mistakes.

Payroll Access Anytime, Anywhere

Empower your team with the tools they need to access their information when they need to. With the isolved People Cloud mobile app, employees can view pay stubs, download W-2s, check PTO balances, update direct deposit details, and request time off—all without going through HR. This self-service access reduces routine questions, increases transparency, and makes life easier for both employees and managers.

Keeping Your Data Safe and Secure

Protecting sensitive payroll and employee data is just as important as processing it correctly. Our system uses multi-factor authentication for every login, monitors for breached passwords, and applies role-based access controls to keep information safe. We also provide safeguards against direct deposit fraud and unauthorized account changes, giving you confidence that your business and employees are protected. You deserve peace of mind knowing payroll data is secure and your team is safe from fraud.

Pay Transparency

When employees can easily see their pay stubs, W-2s, and PTO balances, it builds trust and reduces confusion. Our platform gives your team 24/7 access to their payroll information, so they stay informed without having to ask managers for routine details.

Dynamic Workforce Needs

Your workforce changes constantly—whether it’s seasonal staff, remote employees, or multiple pay rates across departments. Our payroll system is flexible enough to handle these things - keeping payroll accurate as your team evolves.

Seamless Integrations

Payroll works best when it connects with the rest of your HR processes. We integrate payroll with employee onboarding, benefits, and timekeeping, ensuring employee data flows smoothly across your systems and reducing the risk of errors.

Enhancing Efficiency

Manual entry and repetitive tasks slow you down. By automating calculations, filings, and reporting, we streamline payroll so your team spends less time on paperwork and more time running the business.

Ensuring Compliance

Payroll laws and tax rules change often—we keep you compliant with federal, state, and local requirements, and provide guidance on new regulations like MERIT or Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

Empowering Employees

Giving employees control over their own information reduces admin burdens and builds trust. Through our self-service mobile app, your team can view pay history, update direct deposit details, request time off, and much more.

Payroll Service FAQ's

Why outsource payroll?

Outsourcing payroll saves time, reduces errors, and keeps your business compliant with tax laws and labor regulations. Instead of worrying about tax deadlines, changing rules, or complicated pay situations, you can rely on experts who process payroll every day. This frees up business owners and managers to focus on growing the business instead of managing paperwork - often at a fraction of the cost of hiring internal payroll experts.

What does payroll software do?

Payroll software automates the process of paying employees and filing taxes. It calculates wages, deductions, and withholdings, then issues pay through direct deposit, paycards, or checks. It also files federal, state, and local payroll taxes, generates year-end forms like W-2s and 1099s, and integrates with HR functions like benefits and timekeeping. The result is faster, more accurate payroll with less manual work.

How much do payroll services cost?

The cost of payroll software depends on the number of employees, pay cycles, and features your business needs. At Paper Trails, we provide transparent pricing up front so you know exactly what to expect—no hidden fees. We have a per payroll fee, plus a per employee fee. You can see our full pricing here.

In what ways does payroll software improve efficiency?

Payroll software eliminates manual entry and repetitive tasks. With automated calculations, built-in tax filing, and reporting tools, what used to take hours can now be done in minutes. Features like timekeeping integration, GL mapping, and prebuilt reporting templates save even more time—giving business owners and managers the freedom to focus on strategy instead of paperwork.

How do payroll services help with compliance?

Payroll compliance is complex and ever-changing. Payroll services automatically calculate and file all required taxes, including federal, state, and local payroll taxes. They also generate quarterly and year-end filings, like W-2s and 1099s. For contractors, certified payroll reports are available to meet government requirements.

At Paper Trails, we spend a lot of time educating and guiding clients through new regulations—such as Maine’s Retirement Mandate or Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave—so you stay compliant without extra stress.

In what ways does payroll software empower employees?

Modern payroll systems give employees self-service access to their information, reducing their reliance on HR for everyday questions. Employees can view pay stubs, W-2s, and PTO balances, update direct deposit details, and request time off right from a secure mobile app. This transparency improves the employee experience and frees managers from answering routine payroll questions.

Does payroll integrate with other HR processes?

Yes. Payroll works best when it’s fully connected with other HR functions. Our system integrates payroll with onboarding, benefits administration, timekeeping, and more so employee data flows seamlessly across your systems. This reduces errors, saves time, and ensures your business always has one reliable source of truth for employee records.

Trusted by over 1000 local, small businesses.

The team at Paper Trails keeps my employee experience in line so I can focus on what we do best, digging holes and mowing lawns.

Brian Cloutier, Greenscapes of Maine

The tools that Paper Trails provides to me and my employees improve our HR processes and keeps my team engaged in providing world-class service to our guests.

German Lucarelli, The Lost Fire

Payroll at the Core. Compliance, Support, and Service All Around It.

Why Payroll Matters to Your Business

Core Features of our Payroll Services

Full Service Payroll

Payroll Tax Filings

Local Support

Compliance Management

Award-Winning App