Patriot Payroll review

Patriot Payroll is the low-cost choice for churches that are comfortable doing some of the tax work. Its church payroll page lists clergy housing allowance support, and its FAQ tells churches to set up housing allowances as non-taxable money types labeled something like Clergy Housing so they appear in Box 14 of the W-2. A repeating money type saves re-entering the allowance every period, and Auto Payroll runs for staff paid the same each period. Patriot's US pricing page lists Basic Payroll at $17 a month plus $4 per worker and Full Service Payroll at $37 plus $5 per worker, before introductory discounts. Full Service files federal, state and local taxes and Forms 940, 941, W-2 and W-3 at no extra fee, and there are no setup fees. Our checker could not load the pricing page, so the price is marked pending. Basic leaves tax filing to the church, which matters if a volunteer runs payroll.

Who it is for

Churches that want the lowest monthly fee

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Clergy housing allowance set up as a non-taxable money type labeled Clergy Housing for W-2 Box 14
• Repeating money types so the housing allowance is not re-entered each pay run
• Full Service Payroll files federal, state and local taxes, plus Forms 940, 941, W-2 and W-3
• Auto Payroll for staff paid the same amount each period
• Free 4-day direct deposit, or 2-day for qualifying customers

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Basic plan starts at $17 a month plus $4 per worker
• Strength: No setup fees, and free USA-based support
• Strength: Free 401(k) plan integration and employee self-onboarding
• Weakness: Basic does not file taxes for you; Full Service costs $37 plus $5 per worker
• Weakness: Each additional state filing costs $12 a month
• Weakness: Pricing page blocked our automated check, so the price is marked pending

Key facts

• Plans: Basic $17 + $4 per worker; Full Service $37 + $5 per worker
• Housing allowance: Non-taxable money type, reported in W-2 Box 14
• Multi-state filing: $12 a month per additional state
• Setup fees: None

Where it ranks

Patriot Payroll is No. 3 in our Best Payroll Software for Churches verdict.