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Real Estate Agencies: Setting Up Direct Deposit (2026)
Direct deposit for a real estate brokerage is set up once per employee with a bank authorization, prenoted, then paid through ACH on the pay schedule the state allows, with commission-only agent payroll and agent contractor vs W-2 classification settling on the same file. BEG: $45 per employee per month inside the payroll software you already use, live in 3 to 5 days.
Setup for real estate brokerages
Each employee signs a direct deposit authorization with routing and account numbers, the account is prenoted with a zero-dollar test before the first live deposit, and split deposits are recorded per employee. Federal law does not let an employer make direct deposit mandatory to a bank of the employer's choosing, and most states require a paper or pay card alternative for employees who do not opt in.
The outside sales exemption from minimum wage and overtime requires that the employee's primary duty be making sales or obtaining orders or contracts, and that the employee be customarily and regularly engaged away from the employer's place of business. The salary requirements of the regulation do not apply to this exemption.
Timing and the real estate brokerage pay cycle
The ACH file goes two banking days before payday for the funds to land on the date, which means hours for licensed agents and administrative staff close earlier than the payday itself, and commission-only agent payroll for the period is settled on that file or on a documented later settlement date. Off-cycle runs, final checks and corrections use same-day ACH where the bank supports it.
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.
- The outside sales exemption from minimum wage and overtime requires that the employee's primary duty be making sales or obtaining orders or contracts, and that the employee be customarily and regularly engaged away from the employer's place of business. The salary requirements of the regulation do not apply to this exemption. [DOL Fact Sheet #17F]
Read the full guide to how to set up direct deposit, and the rest of the real estate brokerage payroll library.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a real estate brokerage require direct deposit?
Federal Regulation E bars an employer from requiring deposit to a particular bank; the employee chooses the account. Many states add that a no-fee alternative must be offered, so a written opt-in with an alternative is the safe policy.
When does the real estate brokerage pay file have to be released?
Two banking days before payday for standard ACH. Same-day ACH is available for off-cycle runs and corrections at a higher per-item cost. The outside sales exemption from minimum wage and overtime requires that the employee's primary duty be making sales or obtaining orders or contracts, and that the employee be customarily and regularly engaged away from the employer's place of business.
What does managed payroll cost for a real estate brokerage?
$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive, inside the payroll software you already use, with no monthly minimum. Commission-only agent payroll, agent contractor vs W-2 classification and split commission processing 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 Real Estate Agencies. 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: IRS: Understanding Employment Taxes
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