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Hiring Your First Employee? Payroll Basics Explained

Hiring your first employee is an exciting milestone for any growing business. Along with welcoming a new team member, you'll also take on new payroll responsibilities and employer obligations.

Understanding the basics before your employee's first payday can help you stay organized, compliant, and confident.

What Employers Need to Do

When you hire an employee, you're responsible for more than simply issuing a paycheque.

Ontario employers are generally required to:

  • Register for a payroll account with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
  • Deduct income tax, CPP, and Employment Insurance (EI)
  • Remit payroll deductions to the CRA on time
  • Maintain accurate payroll records
  • Issue T4 slips at year-end

Taking the time to set up payroll correctly from the beginning can help avoid unnecessary errors later.

Keep Accurate Employee Information

Before processing payroll, make sure you have the necessary employee information, including:

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • TD1 tax forms
  • Banking information
  • Employment start date
  • Hourly wage or salary
  • Vacation pay entitlement

Having complete and accurate information helps ensure payroll is processed correctly.

payroll basics employee onboarding illustration

Stay on Top of Payroll Deadlines

Payroll doesn't end once employees are paid.

Employers must also meet CRA remittance deadlines and maintain accurate payroll records throughout the year.

Keeping a payroll calendar with important due dates can help prevent missed deadlines and reduce compliance risks.

How TandemBooks Can Help

At TandemBooks, we help Ontario businesses manage payroll with confidence.

From setting up payroll for your first employee to managing ongoing payroll processing, our team helps businesses stay organized, meet CRA requirements, and maintain accurate payroll records.

Whether you're hiring your first employee or expanding your team, we're here to support your business every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

Hiring your first employee is an exciting step toward growing your business.

By understanding your payroll responsibilities and putting good processes in place from day one, you'll be well prepared for long-term success.

Need help setting up payroll? Contact TandemBooks to learn how our Payroll Management services can help your business get started.