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Payroll software review

Patriot Payroll

Online payroll with a published price: Full Service is $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid and files federal, state and local payroll taxes for you. It is billed month to month and has no tip credit calculation or POS integration.

By Patriot SoftwareParent company: Patriot Software, LLC

RTC SCORE

6.5

#7 of 22 with enough data

Our verdict

A low published price for full-service payroll, with local tax filing and month-to-month billing. A restaurant with tipped staff still has to handle the tip credit and enter tips by hand.

What we like

  • Published price: Full Service is $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid, with unlimited pay runs and one state included.
  • Files federal, state and local payroll taxes and the year-end W-2s with no extra fee, and covers penalties caused by its own errors.
  • Month to month with no early termination fee, and you can still download your reports after you cancel.
  • Its tips guide maps reported tips to W-2 code TP and asks for a tipped occupation code per role for the 2026 W-2.

What to watch

  • It doesn't calculate the tip credit or top pay up to the minimum wage, has no tip pooling and doesn't import tips from any POS.
  • No POS integrations or scheduling; time tracking is an add-on at $6 a month plus $2 per employee with a time card.
  • Direct deposit starts at four banking days; two-day deposit only on request after a clean history, and there is no same-day option.
  • Live support only on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

How the score breaks down

RTC Score6.5out of 10

Methodology v0.1.0

Data completeness100%

We could verify 100% of the scoring data

Strongest points
12-month payroll cost (reference restaurant), Who files payroll taxes, Published pricing
Weakest point
POS integrations

Score by criterion

  • 12-month payroll cost (reference restaurant)Weight 19%Strongest10.0 out of 10

    $1,344 over 12 months

  • Who files payroll taxesWeight 7%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • POS integrationsWeight 6%Weakest0.0 out of 10
  • Published pricingWeight 5%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Tip credit and minimum wage make-upWeight 5%0.0 out of 10
  • Tips imported from POS systemsWeight 5%0.0 out of 10
  • 2026 W-2 ready for No Tax on TipsWeight 5%10.0 out of 10
  • Initial termWeight 5%10.0 out of 10
  • Live support hours a weekWeight 5%3.0 out of 10
  • Payroll in all 50 statesWeight 4%10.0 out of 10
  • Time trackingWeight 4%5.0 out of 10
  • FICA tip credit (Form 8846)Weight 3%0.0 out of 10
  • Tip pooling and tip-outsWeight 3%0.0 out of 10
  • Early termination feeWeight 3%10.0 out of 10
  • Unlimited pay runsWeight 3%10.0 out of 10
  • Fastest direct deposit includedWeight 3%2.0 out of 10
  • Tax penalty guaranteeWeight 3%10.0 out of 10
  • Year-end W-2 and 1099 formsWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • Accounting integrationsWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • Notice to avoid renewalWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • Garnishments and new-hire reportingWeight 2%0.0 out of 10
  • Declared cash tipsWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • State and local minimum wages built inWeight 2%0.0 out of 10
  • Dedicated specialistWeight 2%0.0 out of 10
  • Paying 1099 contractorsWeight 1%10.0 out of 10
  • Early pay for employeesWeight 1%0.0 out of 10

Current promotion

  • Discount

    Not publishedSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)The discount grows with the number of workers paid, and the page's own structured data says "50% off for the first 6 months" with other per-worker figures, so we don't put a single dollar amount on it.
    Conditions
    The pricing page shows 30 days free and then 50% off for 3 months: Full Service at $18.50 a month plus $2.50 per worker paid, instead of $37 + $5. Patriot publishes no end date or terms for the offer. It is a discount on Patriot's own fees, not cash.
    Valid until
    The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days.

Counts in the RTC Score only if our reference restaurant qualifies.

The switching or signing incentive is one of the criteria with the most weight in the RTC Score. We count a promotion only while it's current, with a fixed published amount and conditions our reference restaurant meets. "Up to" amounts, buyouts of your current contract and unpublished amounts don't count. The cost calculator subtracts one only when your numbers qualify.

Check it with your numbers

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Pricing
Data pointValue
Base fee$37/moSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Full Service Payroll list price, before the current promotion. The Basic plan is $17 + $4 per worker paid, but you deposit and file the taxes yourself.
Per employee$5Source: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Who counts as an employeeEach person paid that monthSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)In a month with no payroll you pay only the base fee.
Per contractor (1099)$5Source: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Patriot charges per worker paid and pays contractors in the same payroll; its add-ons, by contrast, count only W-2 employees.
Published pricingPublishedSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Setup fee$0 one-timeSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Year-end forms fee$0/yrSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't mail paper W-2s: you post them in the employee portal or print them.
Each extra state$12Source: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Other feesOnly in some cases: $50 when your account can't fund a payroll, $7.50 per bank account correction, $10 per deposit that bounces, $15 per wire or $5 per instant payment to fund a faster payroll; $37 per month to deposit and file taxes for past or future months, $100 per amended quarterly return ($150 for the fourth quarter) and quoted fees for data corrections. Add-ons: Time & Attendance and HR, each $6 a month + $2 per employee; HR Experts & Training $45 a month.Source: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Direct deposit fees come from Patriot's Direct Deposit Fee Schedule (help center); add-on prices from its pricing page and HR page.
Taxes and forms
Data pointValue
Who files payroll taxesThe provider calculates, files and pays federal, state and local payroll taxesSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Patriot says it handles all state taxes and most local ones. Its state pages list local taxes it files in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, Alabama, West Virginia, New York City, Jersey City and Wilmington; it does not file New York's MCTMT or Newark's payroll tax.
Payroll in all 50 statesYesSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)
Year-end W-2 and 1099 formsW-2 and 1099 prepared and filedSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)W-2 and W-3 filings have no extra fee. 1099s are e-filed with the IRS and with the states in the combined federal/state program once you start the filing; the e-filing fee applies only to Basic Payroll. You hand out the paper or electronic copies yourself.
Paying 1099 contractorsIncluded in payroll plansSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Tax penalty guaranteePays penalties caused by its own errorsSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Penalties caused by your own data or late entries are yours, and the Subscription Agreement caps Patriot's total liability at 5% of the fees you paid in the last 12 months.
Garnishments and new-hire reportingNot offeredSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Payroll withholds the garnishment as a deduction, but you send the money. Patriot doesn't file new-hire reports either; the HR add-on gives you a New Hire Report to file them.
Paying your team
Data pointValue
Pay schedulesWeekly, Every two weeks, Twice a month, MonthlySource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Unlimited pay runsYesSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Fastest direct deposit includedThree or more business daysSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Every account starts at 4 banking days. Two-day deposit is free but only on request, after at least 30 days and three successful collections. Next-day deposit is possible if you keep a prefunded balance with Patriot or fund the payroll by wire ($15) or instant payment ($5). No same-day deposit.
Early pay for employees (earned wage access)Not offeredSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't document earned wage access; we looked for it on its pricing page, its integrations page and its help center. Its blog only tells employers to check with their payroll provider.
Tips
Data pointValue
Imports tips from these POS systemsSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Tips are typed into each pay run ("Tips – Paid" and "Tips – Owed"). Patriot lists no POS among its integrations, and we found no Patriot listing in the POS app marketplaces.
Tip pooling and tip-outsNot offeredSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't document tip pooling or tip-out in its payroll; we looked in its tips help article, its pricing page and its help center. Its blog explains the rules only.
Tip credit and minimum wage make-upNot supportedSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)
FICA tip credit (Form 8846)Not supportedSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't document Form 8846 or a report for it; we looked in its tips help article and its help center. It does report tips in their own W-2 boxes.
Declared cash tipsYesSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)
2026 W-2 for No Tax on Tips (code TP and tipped occupation code)Confirmed in writingSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Its tips article maps "Tips – Owed" and "Tips – Paid" to W-2 box 12 code TP, and you must pick a Treasury Tipped Occupation Code for each tipped role before entering tips, so it shows on the 2026 to 2028 W-2s.
2026 W-2 for qualified overtime (code TT)Announced or partly documentedSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)You mark FLSA overtime hours in each payroll; the article doesn't name box 12 code TT.
Service charges paid as wagesYesSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Service charges go in the "AutoGratuity" money types and are taxed as wages.
State and local minimum wages built inNoSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)The HR tools include a minimum wage map, but payroll doesn't check pay against it.
Integrations and time tracking
Data pointValue
POS integrations (hours or sales data)Source: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Its integrations page lists health benefits, 401(k), workers' comp, accounting, card payments and other services, but no POS. Hours come from its own Time & Attendance add-on.
Time trackingPaid add-on or higher planSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Time & Attendance: time cards, time punch from the portal or app, geotagging and overtime rules; hours go to payroll in one click. Patriot's FAQ says new customers get the first month free.
SchedulingNot offeredSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't document shift scheduling; we looked on its Time & Attendance page, its HR page and its pricing page.
Accounting integrationsQuickBooks Online, OthersSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Others: Patriot Accounting and QuickBooks Desktop (IIF file).
Payroll engineThe vendor itselfSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Funds move through its affiliates Patriot Software Payments, LLC and Patriot Pay, LLC.
Benefits and insurance
Data pointValue
Health benefitsThrough a partner brokerSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)SimplyInsured is the partner broker; once connected, deductions and employer contributions sync to payroll at no cost.
Workers' compensationPay-as-you-go connected to payrollSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Through ERGO NEXT Insurance. Not available in North Dakota, Ohio, Washington or Wyoming, where you buy it from the state.
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Initial termMonth to monthSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Automatic renewalMonth to monthSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Month to month, with no renewal term.
Notice to avoid renewal0 daysSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)You close the account or a product from your settings; the last month is billed for the days it was active.
Early termination feeNoneSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Early termination clauseMonth to month; you can close the account at any time from your settings, with no early termination fee. Fees already invoiced are not refunded, and you get one final bill in arrears for the days the service was active.Source: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Right to raise pricesPatriot may change its fees at its discretion with reasonable advance notice, and it may amend the Subscription Agreement at any time without individual notice by posting the new version on its website (Subscription Agreement).Source: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)
Your records when you leaveYou can download them yourselfSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)The account turns read-only. The Subscription Agreement says Patriot doesn't have to keep your data for more than one year after termination, so download it before then. Employees keep access to their portal.
Support
Data pointValue
Support 24/7NoSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)
Live support hours a week50Source: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, by phone, chat and email, free and U.S.-based.
Dedicated specialistNoSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Patriot publishes a shared support team and free setup help, not an assigned specialist; we looked on its pricing page, FAQs and help center.
Language
Data pointValue
Employee app in SpanishNoSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't document Spanish in its employee portal or the My Patriot app; we looked on its portal page and its help center, which is English only. The App Store lists the app in English only (a hint).
Owner's dashboard in SpanishNoSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't document a Spanish version of the software; its help center offers English only.
Pay stubs in SpanishNoSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)Patriot doesn't document pay stubs in Spanish; we looked on its portal page and its help center.
Support in SpanishNoSource: Patriot Software Help (opens in a new tab)Its support page lists phone, chat and email hours with no mention of Spanish.
Contract or terms in SpanishNoSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)The Subscription Agreement is published in English only.
Website in Spanish for the USNoSource: Patriot Software (opens in a new tab)patriotsoftware.com has no Spanish version (no Spanish alternate pages; /es/ returns 404).

More about Patriot Payroll

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