Payroll Services in Calgary, Alberta
Tax Buddies provides professional payroll services to ensure your employees are paid accurately and on time, every time. Our CPA team handles all payroll compliance requirements—CPP and EI deductions, income tax withholding, CRA remittances, T4 preparation, and ROE filing—so you can focus on running your business instead of managing payroll regulations.
Who We Help
- Small businesses hiring their first employee
- Companies with hourly, salaried, and commissioned employees
- Businesses with seasonal or temporary workers
- Restaurants and hospitality businesses with tip-earning staff
- Construction companies managing crew payroll and WCB
- Professional practices with associates and support staff
- Any employer wanting to eliminate payroll headaches and CRA risk
Payroll Services We Provide
Payroll Processing
We process payroll on your schedule—weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. We calculate gross pay, apply all statutory deductions (CPP, EI, federal and provincial income tax), process voluntary deductions (benefits, RRSP contributions, union dues), and generate pay stubs. We support direct deposit and cheque payments.
CPP, EI, and Income Tax Deductions
Calculating payroll deductions correctly is critical—errors result in CRA penalties. We apply current CPP rates (including CPP2 for higher earners), EI premiums, and federal/provincial tax tables. We handle employee claims (TD1 forms), extra tax deductions, and special situations like taxable benefits, commission income, and retroactive pay.
CRA Payroll Remittances
Employers must remit payroll deductions to CRA on a schedule determined by your average monthly withholding amount—monthly, twice monthly, or weekly. Late remittances trigger immediate penalties (3–10% of the amount plus interest). We calculate remittance amounts, meet every deadline, and file the required PD7A remittance forms.
T4 and T4A Preparation
Every February, employers must prepare and file T4 slips for employees and T4A slips for contractors (if applicable). We prepare all slips, file the T4 Summary with CRA, and distribute slips to employees by the last day of February. Accurate T4s prevent CRA reassessments and employee complaints.
Record of Employment (ROE)
When an employee leaves, is laid off, or has an interruption in earnings, you must file an ROE within five calendar days. ROEs determine EI eligibility. We prepare and file ROEs electronically through CRA's secure system, ensuring accurate insurable hours and earnings reporting.
Our Process
Step 1: Payroll Setup
We set up your payroll system, register your CRA payroll account (if new), enter employee information, configure pay schedules, and establish deduction and benefit parameters. For businesses switching providers, we ensure a seamless transition.
Step 2: Ongoing Payroll Processing
Each pay period, you provide hours worked (for hourly staff) and any changes. We calculate pay, process deductions, generate pay stubs, arrange direct deposits, and remit to CRA on schedule. You approve the payroll before it's finalized.
Step 3: Year-End Payroll Filing
We prepare T4 and T4A slips, file the T4 Summary with CRA, distribute slips to employees, and reconcile the year's remittances against CRA records. We also set up the new year's payroll parameters with updated CPP, EI, and tax rates.
Local Expertise: Payroll in Calgary and Alberta
Alberta payroll has specific considerations. Alberta has no provincial health premium or payroll tax (unlike Ontario's EHT or BC's employer health tax), which reduces payroll costs. However, WCB-Alberta premiums apply to most employers and vary by industry classification. Alberta's minimum wage and employment standards (overtime rules, vacation pay, general holiday pay) differ from other provinces. Our CPA team ensures your payroll complies with both federal (CRA) and provincial (Alberta Employment Standards) requirements.
What You Can Expect
Timelines: Payroll processed within one business day of receiving your hours. CRA remittances filed before every deadline. T4 slips prepared and filed by the end of February. ROEs filed within five days of employee departure.
Pricing: Payroll is included in our $299/month+ business packages. Standalone payroll services are priced based on employee count and pay frequency. Call 403-768-4444 or book a free consultation.
Why Businesses Choose Tax Buddies for Payroll
- Zero missed CRA deadlines—we've never missed a remittance
- CPA-supervised accuracy on all deductions and filings
- Integrated with our bookkeeping and accounting services
- Support for complex payroll situations (tips, commissions, benefits, WCB)
- Fixed pricing with no per-employee surprise fees
Frequently Asked Questions — Payroll Services in Calgary
How much do payroll services cost in Calgary? Payroll is included in Tax Buddies' business packages starting at $299/month (which also includes bookkeeping and tax services). Standalone payroll is priced based on employee count and frequency. Call 403-768-4444 for a quote.
What payroll obligations does a Calgary employer have? Employers must deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee pay, remit to CRA on schedule, file T4s annually (by end of February), issue ROEs when employees leave, and comply with Alberta Employment Standards for overtime, vacation, and holidays.
What happens if I miss a CRA payroll remittance deadline? CRA charges penalties of 3% for 1–3 days late, 5% for 4–5 days, 7% for 6–7 days, and 10% for more than 7 days, plus daily compound interest. Repeated late payments can increase penalties to 20%. We ensure every remittance is on time.
How do I determine my CRA remittance frequency? CRA assigns you a remitter type based on your average monthly withholdings. New employers are quarterly remitters. As payroll grows, you may move to monthly, twice-monthly (accelerated threshold 1), or four-times-monthly (accelerated threshold 2). We track this and adjust as needed.
What are taxable benefits and how do they affect payroll? Employer-provided benefits like personal use of a company car, employer-paid insurance premiums, parking, and group-term life insurance above $25,000 may be taxable benefits. We calculate the taxable amount and add it to the employee's T4 income, ensuring proper CPP, EI, and tax deductions.
How does WCB work with payroll in Alberta? Most Alberta employers must register with WCB and pay premiums based on assessable payroll and industry classification rates. Premium rates vary significantly by industry. We track WCB obligations, calculate premiums, and file annual returns. WCB premiums are a deductible business expense.
Can Tax Buddies handle payroll for multiple provinces? Yes. If you have employees working in different provinces, each province's tax tables and employment standards apply. We calculate deductions based on each employee's province of employment and ensure compliance across jurisdictions.
How do I handle overtime pay in Alberta? Alberta's standard overtime threshold is 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week (whichever is greater). Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. Some employees are exempt from overtime (managers, certain professionals). We calculate overtime correctly and ensure compliance.
What is CPP2 and how does it affect my payroll? CPP2 is a second additional CPP contribution that applies to earnings above the first CPP ceiling. Both employers and employees contribute. We automatically calculate CPP2 deductions when employee earnings exceed the threshold.
Can employees access their pay stubs online? Yes. Through our payroll systems, employees can access pay stubs, T4s, and personal information online. This reduces paper, speeds distribution, and gives employees easy access to their pay records.
Ready to eliminate payroll headaches? Book a free consultation, call 403-768-4444, or visit us at 2017 Pegasus Rd NE, Calgary, AB. See our bookkeeping and accounting services.
Contact Tax Buddies Calgary at 403-768-4444 or visit www.taxbuddies.ca for a free consultation.