Too Small for HR? Even Tiny Teams Must Follow Tax, Payroll, and Safety Laws
- Jazzy T
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
Why businesses with under 10 employees still need HR and payroll support — and how to do it right.
If you’re running a small business with just a few employees, chances are you’ve had to wear multiple hats — founder, marketer, accountant… and HR manager.
But here’s the problem: when it comes to HR and payroll, even small missteps can lead to big financial consequences.
On the latest episode of Elevating Enterprise, we sat down with Albert Rivera, a business consultant at Paychex, to break down the biggest compliance mistakes small business owners make — and how to avoid them without breaking the bank.
🎙️ Listen now on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart Radio or via Desktop
🚩 Think You're Too Small for HR Support? Think Again.
One of the biggest myths Albert tackles is that companies like Paychex only work with large corporations. In fact, 80% of Paychex’s clients have fewer than 10 employees.
From officer-only payroll for solopreneurs to AI-assisted hiring tools for growing teams, Albert specializes in helping small businesses build a solid foundation from day one — and scale confidently as they grow.
👇 Key Takeaways from the Episode
1. Compliance Isn’t Optional — Even for Tiny Teams
Whether you’ve got one employee or five, you’re still responsible for payroll taxes, timely filings, and labor law compliance. Miss a single form — like New York’s UI-45 — and you could face a $1,000 fine.
Albert explained how Paychex automates tax filings, manages liability, and files over 20 reports per year on your behalf. That’s not just helpful — it’s protective.
2. Solopreneurs Can Use Payroll Too
Running an LLC and filing as an S-Corp? You might qualify for officer-only payroll, where you pay yourself a set salary through payroll and stay compliant with IRS requirements. Albert has helped several solopreneurs implement this structure — which can offer tax advantages and clean recordkeeping at year’s end.
3. HR Tools That Scale With You
From employee handbooks that auto-update with state and federal law changes to monthly OSHA safety manual reminders for contractors, Paychex isn’t just about paychecks. Their platform includes:
Learning modules for new hires
Digital onboarding
Compliance alerts
A full HR partner (HR Pro) for a fraction of the cost of an in-house team
4. Smart Hiring with AI
Through their Recruiting Co-Pilot tool, Paychex allows business owners to plug in exactly who they’re looking for — and have AI search job boards for matching candidates. No waiting for resumes. No combing through stacks. And yes — it connects directly to onboarding.
Why This Matters
You didn’t start your business to become an HR administrator. But if you don’t take it seriously, you could pay for it — literally.
Albert summed it up perfectly:
“If you make the best pizza in the world, why are you in the office running payroll?”
💡 Ready to Get Compliant (Without Doing It All Yourself)?
Resources:
Paychex Business Soultions WebsitePaychex Recruiting Co-Pilot
Enterprise Center at Pathstone: Pathstone Website
Small Business Development Center: SBDC Website
Enterprise Center at Pathstone: Pathstone Website
SCORE Greater Rochester: Score Website
👉 Listen to the full episode of Elevating Enterprise with Albert Rivera to hear:
How to avoid costly compliance mistakes
The value of personalized HR consulting — even with a team of 3
What Paychex offers that most small businesses don’t realize they need
🎙️ Listen now on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart Radio or via Desktop
