Payroll records: What are they and why do you need them?

All business owners are responsible for maintaining payroll records on behalf of each employee. This includes documentation detailing how wages are determined, payroll taxes , and more. But why is it so important that you hold onto them?

There are federal and state laws that require employers to keep payroll records for several years. The main purpose of keeping payroll files for each employee is to remain in compliance with regulatory bodies like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). However, maintaining detailed payroll records for several years can also benefit your business directly. Payroll records can be used to make decisions about raises, protect your business against claims of unfair or incorrect payment, and more.

To protect your business, use this guide to payroll records, so you know what’s required of you. Use the links below for quick answers to your questions.

What are payroll records?

Payroll records is a blanket term that applies to all documentation associated with paying employees , from hiring documents and direct deposit authorization forms to paystubs . This includes anything that documents total hours worked, their pay rate, tax deductions, employee benefits , etc.

Payroll records requirements

In accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are required to keep most payroll records for at least 3 years . This law applies regardless of employment status, including both exempt and non-exempt employees .

Why do you need to keep payroll records?

First and foremost, holding on to payroll records is required by law . In order to remain in compliance with these laws and regulations, including those set forth by the FLSA and The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you need to keep payroll files for each and every employee.

Payroll record retention is also important for business purposes. Payroll records are useful for tracking expenses, providing proof to back up payroll calculations, and documentation of employee background for reference when planning raises. Payroll files are an essential facet of employee records.

In addition to employee-related matters, keeping your payroll records can also be beneficial when it comes to your taxes. In case of an IRS audit, you’ll want to have payroll files on hand to back up any claims made on your income taxes.

Image: Completing payroll

Federal laws and recordkeeping requirements

On the federal level, there are several key pieces of legislation that you should be familiar with . This includes both the FLSA and Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA). Under the FLSA requirements for payroll, records must be kept on hand for 3 years. They also set requirements for what information must be included, and that timekeeping must be complete and accurate.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) also requires that payroll records be kept for 3 years. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also enforces labor laws, including that you must hold on to employment records for at least 1 year.

State laws and recordkeeping requirements

It’s important to note that state requirements may differ from one another, so you should research the laws that may pertain to your business. This is essential to keeping your business in compliance with regulating authorities, as many states require you to keep payroll records for longer.

State requirements for payroll records retention

For example, in New York , businesses are required to keep payroll records for 6 years instead of 3 years. In California and Texas , employers must retain payroll records for at least 4 years. As you can see, laws vary significantly state by state.

What should be included in payroll records?

Image: payroll records checklist

While there is no requirement for how your payroll records are formatted and stored, there is specific information that needs to be included . When compiling your employee payroll records, make sure to include the following details:

Use this checklist when creating your template for payroll records to ensure that you have the required information in every payroll file. This will also help you ensure that you have standardized payroll records for every employee.

How long do you need to keep payroll records?

Your business is required by law to keep payroll records for a certain number of years. How long you need to keep records depends on the laws pertaining to that type of documentation.

Graphic: How long to keep payroll records

The FLSA requires that businesses keep payroll records for at least 3 years . In addition to official payroll records, you must also keep any documentation that verifies how you determined an employee’s wages for at least 2 years. And don’t forget about documentation for employment taxes, also known as payroll taxes. The IRS requires you to keep these records for at least 4 years.

Retention requirements for the different types of payroll document

What should be done with payroll records after the retention time frame passes?

Once you fulfill the required retention timeline, you should dispose of payroll records. But that doesn’t mean you simply throw them away. Since highly sensitive information is kept within payroll files, it is important to properly dispose of them.

As with all other human resources records, payroll records should be thoroughly shredded and discarded in a secure location if they are paper documents. For digital files, permanently delete the file.

Graphic: Payroll records requirements for terminated employees

Where should you store payroll records?

While payroll records have been traditionally stored in filing cabinets, businesses are increasingly going digital with their payroll files. When storing payroll records digitally, it’s essential that you use a secure solution to prevent this sensitive data from landing in the wrong hands .

Storing payroll records is a lot of responsibility, and should be done carefully. To help you stay organized and keep this information secure, here are some tips for storing payroll files:

For help managing and keeping track of your payroll records, QuickBooks payroll services can also be a helpful tool. With QuickBooks, you can automate the majority of the payroll process , generate payroll reports instantly, and rest assured that your data is safe.

1. What are certified payroll records? How long do you need to keep them?

Certified payroll records detail employees’ earnings, benefits, and hours worked on government projects. Certified payroll records need to be kept between 2 to 4 years , depending on the specific type of documentation. For example, payroll sheets need to be kept for 4 years, while time and attendance cards only need to be kept for 2 years.

2. How long do you need to keep terminated employee files?

In accordance with EEOC regulations , payroll records must be kept for at least one year—this includes terminated individuals. However, the FLSA requires that you keep payroll records for all employees for three years following the date of their termination.

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