Help with Payroll Taxes for Business Owners and the Self-Employed

By Charles Young, CPA – Certified Tax Resolution Specialist | Serving Rochester, NY and Beyond

Running a business comes with plenty of responsibilities, and one of the most critical—yet often overlooked—is managing payroll taxes. Whether you have employees or pay yourself as a self-employed individual, payroll taxes are mandatory. These taxes fund essential programs like Social Security and Medicare, and the IRS takes them very seriously.

What Are Payroll Taxes?

Payroll taxes are the taxes employers must withhold from their employees’ wages and remit to the IRS—along with the employer’s portion of these taxes. This includes:

• Federal income tax withholding

• Social Security tax

• Medicare tax

• Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Self-employed individuals must also pay the equivalent in self-employment taxes, covering both the employee and employer shares.

Why Are Payroll Tax Issues So Serious?

Failure to properly withhold or deposit payroll taxes is considered a major red flag by the IRS. In fact, unpaid payroll taxes are viewed as the government’s money—not yours. Penalties can be steep, interest adds up quickly, and in severe cases, the IRS may even pursue criminal charges.

Some of the common payroll tax issues we see include:

• Falling behind on payroll tax deposits

• Improper classification of employees as independent contractors

• Missing or late-filed employment tax returns (Forms 941, 940)

• Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) assessments against business owners or officers

If you’re facing any of these problems, time is of the essence.

How We Help

At Charles Young, CPA, we understand that many business owners in Rochester and across the country fall behind on payroll taxes due to cash flow issues, employee turnover, or simply not being aware of their full responsibilities. That’s where we come in.

As a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist and NTPI Fellow, I’ve helped countless business owners get back on track and protect what they’ve worked so hard to build.

Here’s how we can help:

• Evaluate your current payroll tax situation

• Negotiate installment agreements with the IRS

• Defend against or remove Trust Fund Recovery Penalties

• Represent you in IRS audits or investigations

• Help you come into compliance and stay there

We take a calm, solutions-focused approach to resolving tax problems—and we do it with the respect and urgency your situation deserves.

Get the Help You Need Today

Don’t let payroll tax issues spiral into a business-ending problem. If you’re a business owner or self-employed professional dealing with payroll tax debt, call our office today to schedule a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

“Charlie has assisted myself personally and businesses that I owned with an enormous amount of Federal and State tax areas and issues. He brings to the table reliable solutions that have provided me over 10 years of excellent service. He has a tireless commitment to me as a client. His experience is vast and if the IRS comes knocking you will want him in your corner.”

Matt B | New York

“After receiving countless notifications from the IRS about past due tax payments for years. I knew I needed professional help and this wasn’t going to be resolved without it. Charlie was incredibly patient and understanding, he helped me gather all of the necessary information and records I needed to file an Offer In Compromise with the IRS.

Without Charlie’s professional knowledge and wisdom, I would have never been able to achieve such a favorable settlement. I am more than satisfied with his services and happily continue to rely on his expertise.”

Jim S. | New York