> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://guide.garde.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payroll (CheckHQ)

> Run payroll and keep tax work moving.

Payroll runs on CheckHQ under the hood. You do everything in the Garde dashboard; employees see their side in the Garde app.

## Set up a location

1. Go to **Payroll → Onboarding** in the dashboard.
2. Set up your legal entity and business details.
3. Add employees under **Payroll → Employees** and contractors under **Contractors**.
4. Map **Departments** so labor costs land in the right buckets.
5. Set your **PTO Policy** so accruals run themselves.

Employees finish their own side (personal info, taxes, bank account) in the Garde app. Chase anyone who hasn't finished before the first run.

## Run payroll

1. Open **Payroll → Runs**.
2. Start the run. Hours flow in from your synced labor data.
3. Review each employee: hours, overtime, PTO, and adjustments.
4. Approve the run before the deadline so direct deposits land on payday.

Check **Payroll → Reports** after each run for the breakdown.

## Taxes

The **Tax Center** holds filings, deposits, and documents. Filings and deposits happen through the platform; your job is to check the Tax Center stays green and download documents when the accountant asks.

## Connect payroll to the books

Map payroll accounts under **Payroll → Accounting Mapping** so wages, taxes, and benefits post to the right QuickBooks accounts. Also check **Employee Mappings** so hours from the POS match the right payroll employees. Unmapped employees are the top cause of wrong paychecks.