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Run the Payroll Fee Auditor →Blog · Payroll Management · E-Commerce
E-Commerce & DTC Brands: New Hire Payroll Onboarding (2026)
New hire payroll onboarding at an e-commerce company is the W-4, the Form I-9 within three business days, new hire reporting inside the state deadline, the pay code for the role, and the e-commerce company checks this page cites before the first shift. BEG: $45 per employee per month inside the payroll software you already use, live in 3 to 5 days.
Checks specific to hiring in e-commerce companies
The federal onboarding sequence
Form W-4 (and the state equivalent) before the first check; Form I-9 section 1 on day one and section 2 within three business days; the new hire report to the state directory within its deadline, federal default 20 days and shorter in several states; the pay code, exemption status and direct deposit authorization on the employee record; and for warehouse staff and customer service reps the pay basis documented so seasonal workforce spikes is taxed and counted for overtime correctly from the first run.
A completed Form I-9 must be kept for every person on payroll for three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. This applies even to seasonal hires who leave shortly after the date of hire.
The rules behind this page, with sources
General information, not legal advice. Every rule below was read on the agency page linked next to it.
- A completed Form I-9 must be kept for every person on payroll for three years after the date of hire or one year after employment ends, whichever is later. This applies even to seasonal hires who leave shortly after the date of hire. [USCIS Handbook for Employers M-274, section 10.0]
Read the full guide to how to onboard a new employee in payroll, and the rest of the e-commerce company payroll library.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How fast must an e-commerce company report a new hire?
Within the state's deadline, 20 days under the federal default and as short as 7 days in some states. The report goes to the state new hire directory, and a rehire after 60 days is reported again.
What does managed payroll cost for an e-commerce company?
$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive, inside the payroll software you already use, with no monthly minimum. Seasonal workforce spikes, multi-state nexus payroll tax and contractor vs W-2 for fulfillment are configured at setup, not billed as add-ons.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries including E-Commerce & DTC Brands. BEG manages payroll at $45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
Authoritative source: U.S. Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division
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