Case Studies
Real results for real employers
From multi-state registration and worker classification to payroll-tax catch-up and HR compliance, see how SMAART Payroll turns credentialed expertise into measurable outcomes. Every scenario below is anonymized to protect client confidentiality.
Our approach
Every outcome starts with a deeper look
Each engagement begins with a full understanding of your payroll, employee mix, and states of operation, followed by a review built on real numbers and disciplined execution, not automated processing left unattended.
Our payroll specialists, Enrolled Agents, and HR compliance experts review every run to catch classification risk and registration gaps, and to stand between you and the IRS when it matters. From six-figure penalties avoided to multi-state registrations completed in weeks, every engagement is designed to produce documented results.
Fees are fixed and quoted up front, so the value is clear before any work begins. Employers across all 50 states rely on that certainty every pay period.
By the numbers
Payroll specialists, Enrolled Agents, and HR compliance experts: 20+ years of combined expertise, serving employers nationwide.
Client outcomes
Anonymized results, real dollars protected
Representative scenarios drawn from our work. Specifics are generalized to protect client confidentiality. The outcomes are the kind we deliver every pay period.
Worker classification
A construction contractor with misclassified subs
Eleven “1099 subs” were actually W-2 employees under IRS rules. We caught it during onboarding, reclassified them correctly, and brought the business into compliance before a scheduled IRS audit.
Multi-state payroll
A SaaS company scaling its remote team
The company grew from 4 to 19 remote employees in a year with payroll registered in only one state. We set up withholding, unemployment insurance, and new-hire reporting in the other five states before the first penalty letter arrived.
Payroll tax filing
A restaurant group with two years of wrong 941s
The previous processor had filed two years of 941s incorrectly, and tipped-employee reporting didn't match the P&L. We amended the filings, negotiated penalty abatement, and brought the client current.
Reasonable compensation
A consulting S-corp with no compensation workpaper
The owner was paying themselves “whatever felt right” with no reasonable-compensation documentation. We benchmarked the role, set a defensible salary, and cut self-employment tax without raising an IRS flag.
HR compliance
A growing practice with no employee handbook
A multi-location medical practice had never documented its overtime, benefits, or termination policies. We ran a full compliance audit, built the handbook, and trained managers on consistent application.
Staffing
A property manager filling three roles at once
A real estate investor needed a leasing agent, a bookkeeper, and a maintenance coordinator without the time to run three separate searches. We sourced, screened, and onboarded all three candidates.
In their words
What clients say about the results
“We had eleven “1099 subs” who were actually W-2 employees under IRS rules. SMAART caught it during onboarding, reclassified them the right way, and got us in compliance before the IRS audit that was already scheduled. Saved a $96K back-assessment.”
Owner / Operator, construction contractor
Fort Lauderdale, FL
“We grew from 4 to 19 remote employees in a year and had payroll registered in exactly one state. SMAART set up withholding, SUI, and new-hire reporting in the other five states before the first penalty letter arrived.”
Chief Operating Officer, SaaS company
Miami, FL
“Two years of 941s filed wrong by the previous processor, plus tipped-employee reporting that didn't match the P&L. SMAART amended the filings, negotiated penalty abatement, and brought us current. $42K resolved without the IRS escalating.”
Managing Partner, restaurant group
Tampa, FL
“I was paying myself “whatever felt right” on my S-Corp and had no reasonable-comp workpaper. SMAART benchmarked my role, set a defensible salary, and cut $18K a year in self-employment tax without raising an IRS flag.”
Founder & CEO, consulting S-corp
Weston, FL
FAQ
Questions about our process & results
Common questions about how we work, who runs your payroll, and the outcomes we deliver for employers like you.
What kind of results can I expect?
Results vary by situation, but our clients consistently report accurate, on-time payroll, cleaner filings, resolved IRS and state notices, and real confidence in their compliance posture. Payroll clients see a 98% retention rate for a reason.
How long does a typical engagement take?
It depends on scope. A payroll switch runs a full clean cycle inside 14 days, an HR compliance overhaul typically takes 60 to 90 days, and payroll-tax representation or penalty resolution can take several weeks depending on the case.
Who works on my payroll?
Every run is reviewed by a real payroll specialist, and every filing is handled by a team that includes Enrolled Agents credentialed to represent you before the IRS. You are never handed off to an unmonitored automated queue.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. Every engagement begins with a complimentary consultation where we assess your situation, explain our approach, and quote a fixed fee up front, before any work begins.
Do you work with employers outside Florida?
Absolutely. We serve employers in all 50 states through our encrypted client portal, with in-person appointments available at our Fort Lauderdale headquarters.
Ready for payroll that runs right?
Book a free consultation. We'll review your current payroll and filings, quote a fixed fee, and show you exactly what we'd do differently: no pressure.