From payroll computer programs. If you have employees, payroll duties automatically become part of your “to do” list. It is a key function of running a smooth operation and staying in good legal standing to pay out on time and with consistent accuracy. Payroll software packages offer a variety of ways for you to deal with these issues.

No matter how big or small your company is, an established practice of completing payroll, and anything linked to that, will be necessary. Payroll is a mundane and potentially confusing process, and payroll software can play an important role in the operation of your business, and grow with you as you grow your business over time.

If your employees are all in one place, and work in a single location, things are simpler. It becomes even easier if the employees are paid a set salary devoid of any special differentials. When companies begin to expand to multiple locations, have hourly employees, offer overtime, or any number of other variables, payroll can become difficult to process. When you include tax complications, union stipulations, and more, processing payroll via a computer program is nearly mandatory.

It is easy to download a payroll software program to your computer and use it to make your business more efficient. This program will calculate all necessary computations, maintain a database, print payroll and other checks if the computer is linked to a printer, and perform many other tasks. In some cases, the payroll software comes equipped with regular updates that keep you in touch with all the changes in tax rates.

Your business payroll needs will evolve over time as your business grows. When the business is small, and you are functioning out of one office, it is feasible, even practical, to keep records manually or using simple Windows applications like Excel sheets. You just as simply have the option to print payroll checks directly from your desktop computer and printer set-up.

But when you begin to grow your business, especially if you have more than one office, then payroll software is a feasible way to deal with and keep record of all your employee wages, benefits, and premiums.

Without the use of a payroll software system, obtaining a separate location may force you to hire an accountant just to handle the entering of employee wages into your existing payroll system.

A superior option is to think about purchasing a computerized payroll program that manages the payroll-related activities of all locations so that you are able to keep all employees’ information in once place, thereby reducing your human resource expenses and hassles.

For more please see computer programs for payroll and simple payroll software.

W. Marc Gilfillan

W. Marc Gilfillan, CPA, NC, individual and business CPA and Tax expert, shares about the history of taxes…

Now that we’re moving away from the Greeks, we finally come to the Romans. Historians often speak of Roman tax policy as “more or less organized robbery” and Roman tax collectors as “a bunch of robbers.” But Roman tax law wasn’t always bad. There was a two hundred year period at the zenith of the Roman Empire when taxes were moderate. Actually, all kinds of taxes, as well as no taxation, characterized the Roman period. Taxes were as necessary yet as unpredictable in the Roman story as were the legions, the Senate and the Caesars. The half-mad emperor Nero once offered to get rid of every indirect tax and create an “amazing present to the human race.” If you are feeling the pressure with today’s taxes, call a Tax Preparer in Durham, NC for all your tax-related needs!

 

The Roman Republic – The Early Years

The early Roman Republic did not require much taxation because it operated with free labor. The military, which is arguably the greatest expense in every society, was a citizen’s military, comprised of property owners who served for one year without pay. They even provided their own uniforms and equipment. This level of volunteer free public service extended to most government offices. Even the judges worked for the city without pay. It is difficult to understand the validity of this ancient practice, especially in our age, where no one seems to want to raise a finger for the government without a fat paycheck. Go here if you want help with modern-day Tax Preparation in Cary, NC.

The ideal method in reducing heavy taxation is to instil in all citizens a spirit of unselfish service for the public good. It is not necessary to limit public programs and services; what is needed is the curtailment of the spirit of gain and profit that infests public figures and contractors.

The Romans, similar to many ancient civilizations, used the important men of their society to handle tax law. Taxpayers loved and admired these men, and no doubt the integrity of these powerful men rubbed off on the taxpayers. In contrast, modern tax systems use professional public relations officers to manipulate taxpayers with advertising techniques that utilize fear more than integrity. Trouble began, however, when Roman armies lived off of the populace and collected tribute in block form called “stipendium”.

Keep an eye out for W. Marc Gilfillan’s next chapter in his History of Taxes series: Taxes and the American Revolution.

http://www.marccpa.com/

W. Marc Gilfillan

W. Marc Gilfillan, CPA, NC, individual and business CPA and Tax expert, shares about the history of taxes…

The city of Rhodes: a gateway to Rome and Greece. All shipped goods from the east stopped for supplies or to change cargo at Rhodes. The harbor at the island, similar to all other harbors, had a tax on everything, which was two percent. Rhodes prospered and was fabulously wealthy in the banking and commerce industry especially. The businessmen funded the creation of a 100-foot-tall bronze colossus of Apollo near the entrance to the harbor. It became known to us as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world (whether it actually straddled the harbor entrance is unknown). If you are feeling the pressure with today’s taxes, call a Cary NC CPA for all your tax-related needs!

Things were fine until 225 BC. An earthquake toppled the statue and not much more is known of Rhodes following the disaster. Did the earthquake wipe out the city? Decimate the harbor? Well, this is the rest of the story. The Roman Senate was angered at Rhodes because during the late Rome-Macedonia War, Rhodes had declared a neutral state. After relying so much on Rome for so many years, Rome wanted more. They wished Rhodes to side with them and contribute to the war effort. So, after the war, the Romans made their move. They established a tax-free port on the nearby Isle of Delos. There wasn’t a two percent harbor tax! In the first year since the port was established, trade declined eighty-five percent in Rhodes. Rhodes was finished. Go here if you want help with modern-day Tax Preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll in Raleigh NC.

So, was it the earthquake that ruined Rhodes’ prosperity? The answer is no, Rhodes had since rebuilt after the earthquake (although they did not rebuild the statue). What brought Rhodes down was not an earthquake or natural disaster or war or famine. It was Roman shrewd tax policy. Everything to dodge a two percent tax. The Switzerland of the ancient world, the commerce giant of the east was toppled because traders desired to avoid a two percent tax.

Keep an eye out for W. Marc Gilfillan’s next chapter in his History of Taxes series: Roman Taxes.

http://www.marccpa.com/