S-Corporation payroll & filing costs, explained up front.
S-Corps have recurring quarterly and year-end payroll obligations. Here's what Marlow Accounting charges for the most common filings in Montana, plus a plain-English look at what each form does and why it matters.
What you'll pay for S-Corp payroll & filings.
These are starting and average prices. We'll review your payroll setup, employee count, and form complexity, then confirm the exact price in writing before any work begins.
Q1–Q3 Quarterly Filings
Simple / average filings
- Form 941 — federal payroll tax return
- Montana UI-5 — quarterly unemployment report
More complex filings are quoted separately.
Q4 Year-End Package
One bundled year-end filing package
- Form 941 — final quarterly federal return
- Montana UI-5 — final quarterly report
- Form 940 — annual FUTA return
- W-2s — employee wage & tax statements
- State withholding reconciliation
1099 Series Forms
Starting price for a small quantity
- 1099-NEC for independent contractors
- 1099-MISC / 1099-INT as needed
Large quantities are quoted at a discounted rate.
Officer Payroll Wage Planning
Average starting price
- Reasonable compensation analysis
- S-Corp officer wage strategy
- Payroll tax optimization review
Final price depends on complexity and number of officers.
Insurance / State Audits
Average starting price
- Unemployment insurance audit support
- Workers' comp / payroll audit prep
- State correspondence & document assembly
Varies by scope and documentation needed.
All prices are starting points, not final quotes.
Complexity, number of employees, multi-state filings, and the condition of your payroll records affect the final number. We'll always confirm your price in writing before we begin.
What each form is and why we file it.
S-Corp owners are often handed a stack of forms without context. Here's the short version of what each one does and why missing it can be expensive.
Form 941
Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return
- Reports federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withheld from employee wages.
- Reconciles what you've already deposited with what you actually owe.
- Filed every quarter — even if you had no employees that quarter in some cases.
Montana UI-5
Quarterly UI Wage Report
- Reports wages paid to each employee for Montana unemployment insurance.
- Determines your UI tax rate and keeps your business in good standing.
- Must be filed even if you have no payroll in a given quarter.
Form 940
Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return
- Pays federal unemployment tax on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages.
- Most Montana employers receive a credit for state UI taxes paid.
- Filed once per year, typically in January.
W-2
Wage and Tax Statement
- Summarizes each employee's annual wages and withheld taxes.
- Furnished to employees and filed with the Social Security Administration.
- Deadlines are strict — late filings carry penalties per form.
1099-NEC / 1099-MISC
Information Returns
- Reports payments to independent contractors, attorneys, landlords, and certain vendors.
- 1099-NEC is used for non-employee compensation of $600 or more.
- Must be furnished to recipients and filed with the IRS by January deadlines.
State Withholding Reconciliation
Montana Annual Reconciliation
- Reconciles Montana state income tax withheld from paychecks against deposits made during the year.
- Often filed with copies of W-2s and 1099s that had state withholding.
- Catches under- or over-payments before they become notices.
Why getting this right matters
Missed 941 deposits, late W-2s, and incorrect reasonable compensation calculations are some of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes S-Corp owners make. Penalties add up fast, and IRS or state notices can turn into audits that pull you away from running your business.
Working with an Enrolled Agent means your filings are handled by someone who can represent you before the IRS if a notice ever arrives. We file on time, keep records organized, and explain your numbers in plain English.
Not tax advice. This page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Every S-Corporation is different. Schedule a consultation so we can review your specific situation and provide a written quote.
Ready to simplify S-Corp compliance?
Schedule a free consult and we'll confirm your quarterly and year-end filing costs in writing before any work begins.