Frequently Asked

Professional employer organizations, or PEOs, work with small and medium size businesses to provide human resources support, payroll, benefits and other HR administrative services. Many PEOs also provide worksite employees with access to 401(k) plans, health, dental and life insurance, dependent care, and other benefits not typically provided by small businesses

Human resources outsourcing involves hiring a company to help manage certain functions like administration of benefits, payroll services and strategic HR. It can also include strategic services like talent retention, compliance and risk mitigation.

Learn how outsourced HR can deliver value in hard numbers and numerous intangibles.

In a co-employment relationship, a PEO and its clients allocate certain employer responsibilities relating to the employees the client brings into the relationship. Typically, the PEO and client responsibilities are expressly described in a service agreement between the PEO and the client. The business owner remains in complete control of day-to-day activities and direction of the company.

The advantages of teaming up with a PEO include access to robust benefits, mitigating employment-related risk, reduced costs associated with running an HR team and added time to focus on your business. Learn more about PEO benefits

Learn about the 5 Key HR Strategies for Scaling your Business.

A PEO delivers services to its customers through a shared tax ID; this model is referred to as a “co-employer” or “co-employment” relationship. Companies working with PEOs retain complete control over operations, workforce management, building company culture and defining the employment brand.

The service provided by an ASO does not establish a co-employment relationship. The ASO does not process payroll and remit and report taxes under its own FEIN, nor can it provide access to benefits as a sponsor of a benefits plan. The client company remains the sole sponsor when working with an ASO.

TriNet full-service HR solutions include access to benefit options, technology platform, online payroll services, risk mitigation and HR consulting expertise.

Our online payroll services include payroll processing with direct deposit and debiting, plus we make it easy to go paperless with e-pay stubs and electronic W-2 preparation and delivery. You can also view estimated invoices, which are automatically updated as you add employees and make other changes. Our self-service platform also allows you to track paid time off. For more information read: Why Payroll Matters When It Comes to Incredible Solutions.

No, TriNet does not handle payments for 1099 individuals because such workers are considered to be independent contractors, not employees. TriNet files forms 940 and 941 with the IRS under the applicable TriNet federal employer identification number (FEIN) and issues Form W-2s to each worksite employee.

The following payroll taxes are reported under TriNet's professional employer organization (PEO) federal employer identification numbers (FEINs):

• All federal payroll taxes—Form W-2s will be issued under TriNet’s name and FEIN
• All state and local income taxes, except for California and Oregon
• Paid family and medical leave, except for Massachusetts and Washington
• State disability insurance (SDI) in Hawaii, New York and Puerto Rico
• SUTA in certain states

By leveraging the collective strength of thousands of small and medium sized businesses, we’re able to deliver access to premium-level benefits that include health, dental, vision and 401(k) plans. Access to employee benefit plans goes beyond robust health and retirement coverage to include benefits such as critical accident and illness policies, auto and home policies, and commuter benefits. TriNet also helps you navigate benefits compliance requirements including ACA, COBRA, disability and state filings.

Learn about the Benefits that Drive your Team.

TriNet charges on a flat fee per-employee-per-month (PEPM) basis, so your costs are predictable.¹ Prices can vary by region, industry, company size and scope of services. Get more information on TriNet’s Transparent Pricing page.