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ezPaycheck Payroll Softare FAQs: How to handle taxes, deductions, Tips and more

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General Questions

Is ezPayCheck for me? I do not know much about accounting and computer.

Yes. ezPaycheck is very user-friendly and easy-to-use. We intentionally engineered this software for those clients who are not professional accountants and payroll tax experts. Please feel free to test drive the 30-day trial version with obligation. No credit card is needed. We are glad to assist you if you have any questions.

Can I start ezPaycheck in mid-year?

Yes, you can switch to ezPayCheck payroll at any time of the year. You can enter Year-to-date (YTD) totals for your employees .

What is my cost of using ezPaycheck payroll software?

ezPaycheck single user version is 169 per calendar year per installation. It can support unlimited companies, employees, paychecks and tax forms with no extra charge. You can click the above link to learn more.

Is check printing legal?

Yes, printing checks from your own printer is perfectly legal. However, they must be printed on special paper.

Does the trial version have any limitations?

The trial version is the full version with the only limitation that it will print the Trial images on checks, W2, W3, 940, 943 and 941 forms. It stops working after 30 days unless you purchase and register the license. (All your data will remain after you register the license.)

Does it print W-2s and W-3s?

Yes! You can print W-2 form Copy B, c and D on plain paper, complete and ready to use. You can print W-2 copy A and W-3 on pre-printed red-ink forms.

Does it print the MICR encoding on checks?

Yes. Please view the sample paychecks here.

Does ezPayCheck handle pre-tax and after-tax deductions?

Yes.

Download, Install, Uninstall and Roll back

Install

What are the System Requirements for ezPayCheck Payroll?

ezPaycheck is compatible with both Windows and Mac. Please feel free to test drive the free DEMO version with no obligation. No credit card is needed.

How to install ezPayCheck Payroll software?

You can scroll down on this page to view step by step guide about how to install ezPaycheck software .

Reinstall

Uninstall

Roll back

Purchase, Update & Upgrade

Purchase

What is the cost of using ezPaycheck payroll software?

ezPaycheck is 169 per calendar year per installation. This price already includes all the future update packages for this year's version. (For example: you are a registered user of ezPaycheck 2026 and you will get all 2026 updates for free. If you will use ezPaycheck next year, you need to purchase a new license.)

ezPaycheck can support unlimited companies, employees, paychecks and tax forms with no extra charge.

I purchased ezPaycheck in April. Do I need to purchase the new license in Jan 2026 to use ezPaycheck 2026?

Yes, you need to purchase the new 2026 license to use ezPaycheck 2026 no matter you purchased ezPaycheck in Jan or Oct. The licenses for version and 2026 version are different.

Can ezPaycheck support multiple companies? What is the cost?

Yes, ezPaycheck can support unlimited companies and employees. ezPaycheck is 169 per calendar year per installation. If you will handle multiple companies from the same machine, there is no extra charge. However, if you will install ezPaycheck at multiple locations, you should buy multiple-user license.

Will updating package delete or overwrite my data from prior years?

No. However we always suggest our clients backup data in advance for safety.

Permissions

Update and Upgrade

YTD and Start Payroll In Mid-year

Will ezPaycheck calculate and print YTD information automatically?

Yes. Each time you add a new check, the YTD data will be updated. You can find the YTD data on paycheck stubs.

How to switch to ezPaycheck payroll in mid-year.

You can start to use ezPaycheck payroll software anytime. If you switch to ezPaycheck in mid-year and you need to enter the old check information, here are two options:

- Option 1: Use the manual YTD data to enter the summary information

- Option 2: Enter the old checks one by one. If your old tax data do not match ezPaycheck tax calculations, you can refer to this article on how to enter the federal tax and state taxes manually .

Company Account Management

I have three companies. Can ezPaycheck supports multiple accounts?

Yes. If you install ezPaycheck on one computer to process the payroll jobs for three companies, you just need to buy one license key. If you need to install ezPaycheck on multiple computers, you should purchase the multiple-user license.

I am a CPA. How can I handle multiple accounts with ezPaycheck?

ezPaycheck can support unlimited accounts with one flat rate. You can learn more on how to handle multiple accounts here here.

Pay Period and Payment Types

Payroll Period

What kind of pay period ezPaycheck can support? How to change pay period?

ezPaycheck payroll software can support daily weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly and monthly pay periods. You can change it on company setup screen.

Payment Types

Does ezPaycheck support qualified tips and overtime?

Yes. ezPaycheck 2026 adds two new payment types: Qualified Tips and Qualified Overtime . You can check these two payment types in the Company Wage Setup screen.

Can ezPaycheck handle commission or tips or bonus?

Yes. You can check this option from the Company Wage Setup screen. You can access it by clicking the left menu "Company Settings->Wage Setup".

Tax Calculations and Deductions

TAXES

Can ezPaycheck calcualte federal, state and local taxes automatically?

Yes, ezPaycheck calculates income tax withholdings according to the employee setup such as payment amount, allowance, pre-tax deductions and others.

Can ezPaycheck handle multiple state taxes?

Yes. You can specify the employee state income tax option.

Can ezPaycheck handle local tax

Yes, ezPaycheck is very flexible. For more details on local tax, please refer to How to handle local payroll taxes?

Can ezPaycheck handle payroll jobs for churches or non-profits? Our clerts do not pay FICA tax.

Yes, ezPaycheck is very flexible and allows user to set up tax options easily. See more instructions on non-profits and church payroll here.

Can ezPaycheck handle additional Medicare tax?

Yes, EzPaycehck will handle the Additional Medicare Tax. You can learn more about Additional Medicare Tax here.

DEDUCTIONS

Can ezPaycheck handle 401K (or IRA SIMPLE plan)?

Yes, ezPaycheck is very flexible. You can add/edit a deduction field to handle it. For more details, please refer to How to add a 401K deduction and withdraw it from each paycheck automatically

Can ezPaycheck support pre-tax or after-tax deduction?

Paycheck Setup and Printing

Add and Edit Paycheck

Check Printing

How to print paychecks on pre-printed check paper?

You can select this option from check setup form. You can access check setup form by clicking the left menu "Checks->check setup". Then you can uncheck "Print on blank Check Stock" option to use pre-printed check.

What kind of blank check paper is acceptable?

DO NOT use plain paper! Blank check stock has security features (watermarks, micr printing, etc.) which help prevent fraud. ezPayCheck will work with any blank/preprinted computer check paper with 8-1/2" X 11" size and check size 8-1/2" X 3-1/2".

How do I know if the check is properly aligned?

You can print out "Check Alignment Page" and align your check on the bottom and right line to check if the Routing Number fits inside the correct box. The "Print Check Alignment" button is on "Check Setup Page". The Routing Number includes the leading symbol.

Logo and Signature

What kind file format is acceptable for signature and logo image?

The signature image file can accept .bmp, .jpg, .gif, .tiff and .png.

Check Setup

How can I use check-at-bottom format check paper?

ezPaycheck supports check-on-top, check-in-middle, check-at-bottom and 3-per-page formats. Click here to see how to change paycheck format .

Why just half of check was printed from my printer?

The most common reason for this issue is the printer uses the wrong size paper. You should use the Letter size paper when you print the check.And several other settings may also cause this printing problem. Learn more here.

Multiple-user Version and Data Sharing

With ezPayCheck's multiple-user version, users can seamlessly share data via a server, a shared folder, cloud storage like Google Drive, or other platforms.

Many clients prefer the Google Drive option for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Forms, Reports, Tools and e-File

Forms

What tax forms does ezPaycheck software print?

ezPaycheck can fill and print tax form 940, 941, 943, W2 and W3.

Can ezPaycheck Print W2 forms?

Yes, ezPaycheck can print W-2 and W-3 forms. But you need to use the red-ink forms for W-2 copy A and W-3. You can print other copies on white paper.

Can ezPaycheck Print 1099-nec forms for contractors?

No. ezPaycheck software does not print 1099-nec forms. ezW2 can print 1099-nec, 1096, W2 and W-3. Click here to see how to use ezW2 with ezPaychecks .

E-filing

Does ezPaycheck offer e-filing feature?

ezPaycheck offers in-app 941 and 940 e-filing features . We are waiting for the IRS approval for 943 e-filing features.

Can ezPaycheck eFile W2/W3 forms?

No, ezPaycheck does not support W2/W3 eFile feature. If you need more features (such as pdf printing and efile) on W-2 form filing, you can check ezW2 software. ezW2 software supports white paper printing, PDF printing and efiling features. Click here to see how to use ezW2 with ezPaychecks .

Reports

How to generate monthly report?

You can use "Employer Customized Report" to generate monthly report. You can access this report by clicking the left menu "Forms and Reports->Reports".

How to generate weekly report?

You can use "Employer Customized Report" to generate weekly report. You can access this report by clicking the left menu "Forms and Reports->Reports".

How to prepare my quarterly tax report

ezPaycheck can print form 941 and generate other reports to help you prepare quarterly report. Learn more about quarterly tax report here

Tools

Database Backup, Restore and Transfer

Database Backup and Restore

I tried to open the backup in my USB, however it asked me for the password. What should I do?

The back up file of ezPaycheck payroll software is .mdb (Microsoft Access Database) file. This file is NOT designed to read manually. You need to read it with ezPaycheck payroll software. You can view the instruction on how to read backup file in USB here.

Transfer

Troubleshooting

Installation Issue

When I try to install ezPayCheck, it tells me I need to download the Microsoft .Net Framework. How do I do this?

Windows computers should have .net framework installed by default. You may receive this error if the .net framework is disabled on your computer. You can follow this guide to enable .net framework from the control panel.

License Key Issue

Data Issue

Running Issue

I got database errors when I saved a new paycheck. Why?

You may not have enough permission on local machine. Please refer to this guide What permissions I need to run ezPaycheck correctly .

I bought a new computer. How can I move ezPaycheck from the old machine to the new one?

If you need to move the ezPaycheck to a new computer, you first need to install ezPaycheck on the machine, back up your company database file to a shared folder or a USB disk, and then restore it on the new computer. Please check here for step by step instructions on how to backup and restore database.

Check Printing or Scanning Issue

When I run ezPaycheck, the bank account number on my check does not display correctly. Why?

It is a font problem.
1) You need to have administrator permission to install ezPaycheck.
2) After installation, please restart your machine.

Why just half of check or image or form or report printed from my printer?

The most common reason for this issue is the printer uses the wrong size paper. You should use the Letter size paper when you print the check. And several other settings may also cause this printing problem. Learn more here.

Form Issue

Tax Issue

I added YTD information for an employee and saved it. However, when I created a new check, I could not find my YTD information.

The ENDING DATE of the YTD data should be earlier than your first payroll check date. They should not be overlapped.

For example: If you first payroll check starts from 5/1/2007, then the ENDING DATE of the YTD data should be earlier than 4/30/2007. Otherwise, you may not be able to save your data correctly.

Can I add an IRA Deduction and withdraw 3% from each paycheck automatically?

Yes. ezPaycheck allows user to add customized deduction or tax. Click here to see the steps to add a customized payroll deduction .

Does ezPaycheck support S.D.I.? If not, can I add an S.D.I. Deduction and withdraw it from each paycheck automatically?

However, ezPaycheck allows user to add customized deduction or tax. Click here to see the steps to add a customized payroll SDI deduction .

My city has local tax. Can ezPaycheck handle it?

ezPaycheck allows user to enter local tax in two ways. 1) You can enter local tax manually each time when you generate a new payroll check. 2) ezPaycheck allows user to add customized deduction item. You can add a local tax item by fixed amount or by percent, and withhold it from each paycheck automatically. Please here for detailed instructions on how to handle local tax. .