Every country has its own set of regulatory compliances. These are statutory and have to be followed to stay away from penalties and legal consequences. The regulatory scenario in India, just like any other jurisdiction, is complex, especially related to labour and human resources.
From multiple labour laws to taxation rules, state-specific mandates, and more, there are innumerable requirements. Managing payroll compliance in-house is not an easy task – it can be pretty daunting for most businesses. This is where a reliable payroll service provider can make a difference.
Employee payroll services can be a big help for companies that are scaling up fast or an established enterprise and present in multiple locations. This way, compliance risks are reduced, boost accuracy, and help leadership to focus on the strategic growth of the company.
Understanding Payroll Compliance in India
Payroll compliance is related to financial and legal responsibilities that employers in India need to fulfil during salary disbursement. What are the responsibilities of
payroll compliance in India that need to be mandatorily compliant with the legal framework of the country? These are—
- Salary computation, including benefits and reimbursements
- Statutory deductions and contributions like Provident Fund, Employee State Insurance, TDS, and more.
- Payslip and Form 16 issuance
- Accurate filing of statutory returns, like Form 24Q, ESI Returns, and PF Returns
Compliances are also required with respect to when the payments are being made. Companies also need to ensure that they adhere to state-specific labor laws.
Remember, compliance is a necessity because there could be penalties and legal notices if you miss deadlines or deductions are miscalculated. To top it off, there could be reputational damage too. That is why most businesses are using professional payroll service providers who have the expertise to navigate this complicated landscape.
Before understanding how professional payroll services can make things better for businesses, it is crucial to ponder the real cost of non-compliance in India. Here are a few instances of penalties and fines that can be imposed:
- Delaying Provident Fund deposits can attract damages and interest under Section 14B and 7Q of the EPF Act.
- If the TDS is incorrectly filed, there could be penalties under Section 234E of the Income Tax Act.
- If labor laws are not adhered to, it can lead to cancellation of business licenses and government contracts.
It is not just about financial implications. There could be a loss of trust, too, and the business may fail to attract the right talent during new hiring.
Why a Good Payroll Services Provider Is Invaluable
Payroll companies do not just automate payslips. A trusted service provider works as your compliance partner. They reduce manual errors and work seamlessly with your internal HR, Finance, and Legal teams. A good Payroll Services Provider can make a practical difference. Here’s how—
1. Accurate & Timely Payroll Processing
This is one of the biggest benefits of having a trusted service provider work on your payroll functionality. The salary computations are automated, wherein essential aspects like bonuses, leaves, shift differentials, and arrears are factored in. Such methods help reduce errors. This way, your employees get accurate salaries and, most importantly, on time, every month.
2. Up-to-Date Payroll Processing
The other big benefit of employee payroll services is that with the regulatory frameworks evolving constantly, professionals keep themselves abreast with tax slabs, labour codes, reporting requirements, and so on. They apply these changes while processing payroll, ensuring the business remains compliant across all levels.
3. Seamless Tax Management
TDS calculation is a must while processing salaries. Professional service providers of
payroll management automate the entire process. They are also involved in Form 16 generation and engage in quarterly filing via Form 24Q. They also coordinate with the Income Tax Department to keep the tax reporting process error-free.
4. Integrated Statutory Filing
Statutory requirements like Provident Fund (PF), Employee State Insurance (ESI), and Professional Tax (PT) have to be met by all employers in India. A leading payroll services provider will handle all the statutory requirements for your business, will file statutory documents as and when required. This frees up the time of internal teams, allowing them to focus on their core business activities.
5. Audit-Ready Documentation
The service provider is responsible for maintaining all records related to statutory requirements that are essential for audits and inspections. They maintain payroll reports and do the necessary paperwork for collecting challans, forms, and registers related to salary processing and disbursement. They have the onus of safely and securely storing these records that can be accessed with ease.
6. Customised Reports and Dashboards
With the help of automated dashboards, your business stays up-to-date in real-time so that you are in control of the payroll tasks. They also offer customised MIS reports so that you can analyse trends, costs, and other essential parameters.
Providers of payroll services ensure that your business has reduced risks related to payroll processing. The company offers transparency in its processes, facilitating salary disbursals accurately and on time.
