Payroll Services in Washington, D.C.: Costs, Taxes and Best Providers (2026)

Payroll services for a Washington, D.C. business cost $44 to $130 per month for 1 to 10 employees at entry-tier list prices as of November 2026, and every major provider files Washington, D.C. payroll taxes. Washington, D.C. has state income tax and no local payroll taxes, so entry-tier plans from any provider work.

Prices verified November 2026

What Washington, D.C. employers must handle

Washington, D.C. has state income tax withholding and no local payroll taxes. Employers register with DC Office of Tax and Revenue for withholding and with the state workforce agency for unemployment insurance. All six providers compared here file Washington, D.C. payroll taxes.

Washington, D.C. payroll tax overview
State income tax withholding	Yes
Local or special payroll taxes	None statewide
State unemployment insurance (SUTA)	Yes — every state; rate assigned to your business annually
Federal (FICA, FUTA, income tax)	Yes — handled by every provider listed
Where to register	DC Office of Tax and Revenue

Minimum wage, SUTA rates and new-hire reporting deadlines change; check DC Office of Tax and Revenue for current figures. Every provider on this page files Washington, D.C. payroll taxes.

Payroll prices for a Washington, D.C. business

Monthly payroll cost by provider and number of employees, entry tier, list price, verified November 2026
Provider (entry plan)	Base / mo	Per employee	1 emp.	5 emp.	10 emp.	25 emp.
ADP — Essential (quote; est.)	$79	$5	$84*	$104*	$129*	$204*
Paychex — Flex Essentials (higher tiers quoted)	$39	$5	$44	$64	$89	$164
Gusto — Simple	$49	$6	$55	$79	$109	$199
OnPay — Payroll Essentials	$49	$6	$55	$79	$109	$199
QuickBooks Payroll — Workforce Payroll (Core)	$50	$7	$57	$85	$120	$225
Rippling — Platform (required) (higher tiers quoted)	$40	$8	$48	$80	$120	$240

* Estimate for quote-only providers based on publicly reported quotes; ADP bills per pay run so a weekly payroll costs more. Prices are list prices before promotions.

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Best payroll providers for Washington, D.C. employers

OnPay

One plan, one price, everything included

Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.

Gusto

Transparent pricing and the easiest software to use

Teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call.

Paychex

Full-service payroll with a dedicated specialist

Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.

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Prices verified November 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Does Washington, D.C. have state income tax on wages?

Yes. Washington, D.C. employers withhold state income tax from employee pay and remit it to DC Office of Tax and Revenue.

What is the cheapest payroll service in Washington, D.C.?

OnPay and Gusto Simple both list at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $39 plus $5 but adds filing fees. Any entry-tier plan handles Washington, D.C..

Do I need to register my business for payroll in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Register with DC Office of Tax and Revenue and with the state unemployment agency before your first payroll. Your provider can file on your behalf but usually needs the account numbers from you.