Payroll that has gone sideways
Payroll records that have gone sideways
Payroll mistakes compound quickly: wrong withholdings, deposits that don't match the liability accounts, workers who may be misclassified. Start by getting the numbers straight.
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Matthew Coleman, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, accounting and finance degree. Cranford, NJ. Start with a free health check of your books. You get a quote after we review your books, before any work starts.
What we can sort out
Reconciling payroll liability accounts to deposits and filings, matching wages to the general ledger, lining up 1099 and W-2 totals with the books, and documenting what's outstanding.
What needs a professional
Penalty relief, filing corrections, worker classification questions and any dealings with the agencies go to a CPA, payroll specialist or attorney. We prepare the records they need.
Going forward
A short checklist each pay period: payroll report matched to the bank, taxes deposited on schedule, liabilities reconciled monthly. Whether payroll runs in-house or through a provider, the books should agree with it.
Why this one is urgent
Payroll taxes withheld from employees are held in trust for the government, and the rules for unpaid amounts are stricter than for most other taxes. Owners can be personally responsible in some cases. Speak to a tax professional early, before notices arrive.
What we rebuild
A payroll register for each quarter, showing wages, withholdings and employer taxes, tied to your payroll provider's reports and your bank. Then a comparison of what was due and what was paid, so you and your representative see the gap in one place.
Getting it right going forward
We help set up the schedule: when deposits are due, who makes them and how the books record them. Many owners find a payroll service with automatic deposits and filings removes most of the risk. See our payroll and filing support.
Related
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency, lender or your professional. Updated October 2026.
FAQ
Common questions
Do you run payroll?
Ask us what's available. Many owners use a payroll provider, and we reconcile it to the books.
Can you tell me if my workers are employees?
No. That's a legal and tax determination. We can explain how it affects the books.
Can you fix past payroll filings?
Corrections are filed by a payroll or tax professional. We provide the clean records.
Can I fix it by catching up quietly?
Talk to a tax professional first. Penalties and interest depend on facts only they can assess.
Does organising the records change what I owe?
No. Clean records show what is owed and what was paid. Options for unpaid amounts are a matter for a tax professional.
Excel workbook
Solopreneur Multi-State Payroll & Tax Calendar Model
One workbook for the dates you cannot miss, the payroll math behind them and the cash they will take, for a small employer or a solo owner with a few people.
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