Your questions, answered clearly and concisely.
This page offers a detailed Gusto FAQ, providing answers to common questions about setting up accounts, running payroll, managing benefits, and handling HR tasks. It covers account settings, technical support, and billing information for Gusto users.
New to Gusto? This section addresses common inquiries about initial setup. Many users want to know the quickest way to onboard their first employee. Gusto simplifies this by guiding you through entering personal details, tax information, and direct deposit preferences. You'll specify their compensation, pay schedule, and any deductions, ensuring compliance from day one.
Another frequent question involves migrating existing payroll data to Gusto. We've designed the process to be straightforward. You can import employee information, year-to-date payroll data, and past tax filings. Our support team can also assist with data migration, helping you avoid common pitfalls and ensuring a smooth transition.
Understanding basic navigation within the Gusto dashboard is also a key starting point. We cover how to access employee profiles, run your first payroll, and view essential reports. The interface is designed for clarity, with clearly labeled sections for payroll, benefits, HR, and reports, making it easy to find what you need quickly.
Running payroll accurately and on time is a core function of Gusto, and many questions revolve around this critical process. Users often ask about payroll processing deadlines. Gusto typically requires payroll to be submitted a few business days before the pay date to allow for bank processing times and tax filings. Specific deadlines are clearly displayed within your payroll run.
Understanding the intricacies of payroll tax compliance can be complex. Gusto aims to simplify this by automating much of the process, but we also provide resources to help you understand your obligations. For detailed information on federal tax regulations, you can refer to the IRS website.
Gusto offers a range of benefits options, and users frequently inquire about their availability and management. A common question is, "What types of benefits can I offer through Gusto?" We provide access to health insurance, 401(k) plans, workers' compensation, and other benefits like commuter benefits and HSAs. Our licensed benefits brokers can help you select plans that fit your company's needs and budget.
Gusto simplifies benefits administration, making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to offer competitive packages to their employees. This helps with employee retention and attraction.
Managing employee benefits enrollment and changes is also a frequent topic. Gusto provides an intuitive platform for employees to enroll in benefits, update their information, and view their coverage details. As an administrator, you can track enrollment status, manage contributions, and generate reports on benefits usage, reducing the administrative burden associated with benefits management.
These features ensure that your Gusto account remains accurate and secure, adapting to your business's evolving needs and team structure. Regular review of your settings is recommended to ensure all information is correct.
Even with user-friendly software, technical questions arise. A common inquiry is, "What should I do if I encounter an error message in Gusto?" Most error messages in Gusto are designed to be descriptive, guiding you to the specific issue. We recommend carefully reading the message, as it often points to missing information or an incorrect entry. Our help center also has articles explaining common error codes and their solutions.
Users frequently ask about unexpected behavior or features not loading correctly. In such cases, clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or trying a different web browser, can often resolve the issue. Ensuring your browser is up-to-date also helps maintain optimal performance. If the problem persists, our support team is available to investigate more complex technical issues.
Another area of focus for technical help is data syncing issues, particularly with integrations. While Gusto strives for seamless integration with various accounting software and time-tracking tools, occasional sync errors can occur. Checking the connection status within the integration settings and reviewing the activity logs can often pinpoint the problem. For more detailed troubleshooting steps on specific integrations, refer to our dedicated help articles or contact support. For general guidance on data security best practices, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides valuable resources.
Understanding your Gusto bill is important for budgeting and financial planning. A frequent question is, "How is my Gusto bill calculated?" Your monthly bill is based on your chosen pricing plan (e.g., Simple, Plus, Premium), which includes a base fee, plus a per-employee charge. Any additional services, like health benefits administration or workers' compensation, are itemized separately. We aim for transparency in all billing, and detailed invoices are available in your account.
Users also often ask, "When will I be billed by Gusto?" Gusto typically bills at the beginning of each month for the services provided in the preceding month. The exact billing date can be found on your invoice. Payments are automatically processed using the payment method on file, which you can update at any time in your account settings.
If you need to change your Gusto pricing plan, you can do so directly within your account settings. This flexibility allows businesses to scale their services up or down as their needs change. Any changes to your plan will be reflected in your next billing cycle. We also provide clear information on what features are included in each plan, helping you make an informed decision.
| Feature/Service | Gusto Simple Plan | Gusto Plus Plan | Gusto Premium Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service Payroll | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Employee Onboarding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Health Benefits Admin | Add-on | Yes | Yes |
| Time Tracking | Add-on | Yes | Yes |
| HR Support Center | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated HR Advisor | No | No | Yes |
To add a new employee in Gusto, navigate to the 'People' tab and select 'Add a new person'. You'll then be guided through entering their personal details, compensation, and tax information. Gusto will then invite the employee to complete their onboarding paperwork digitally.
Yes, Gusto is designed to handle multi-state payroll for businesses with employees in different states. We automatically calculate and file the correct state and local taxes for each employee, ensuring compliance across all jurisdictions where you operate.
Gusto offers various customer support options, including phone, email, and chat support, available during business hours. Our help center also provides a vast library of articles and guides to answer common questions and assist with self-service troubleshooting.
Employees can access their W-2 forms directly through their Gusto employee account. These forms are typically available by January 31st each year. Employers can also view and download W-2s for their team from the 'Documents' section of their administrator portal.
Yes, Gusto prioritizes the security of your data. We use bank-level encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits to protect sensitive information. Your data is stored securely in compliance with industry standards.
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