As we look ahead to 2026, small businesses in Lake Mary, Orlando, and across Florida face a host of changes in payroll, taxes, and HR practices that will affect everything from labor costs to compliance. With the state’s minimum wage increase, new tax requirements, and evolving HR practices, now is the time to prepare. The good news? With a solid payroll playbook in place, you can stay ahead of these changes and ensure your business remains compliant, efficient, and ready for growth.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the key changes coming to payroll and HR in Florida in 2026, how these changes will impact small businesses, and the steps you should take to plan for these shifts now.
What’s Changing in 2026: Wages and Labor Costs in Florida
One of the most significant changes in Florida is the continued increase in the state’s minimum wage. By September 30, 2026, Florida’s minimum wage will rise to $15 an hour, continuing the phased-in increase that began in 2021. This wage increase has wide-reaching implications for small businesses across Orlando and Lake Mary.
For many small businesses, this means reevaluating the wage structure for employees, especially those who are currently paid minimum wage. It’s crucial to ensure that your business remains compliant with the new wage requirements. This also may require adjusting pay rates for hourly, part-time, and tipped employees, especially in industries like hospitality or retail.
Additionally, businesses will need to be proactive about posting the new wage rates and recalculating tipped wages if applicable. With this wage increase, many businesses will be required to raise the pay for their lowest-paid employees, which could increase overall payroll costs.
How to prepare:
- Review current pay rates: Ensure your hourly employees are paid according to the new minimum wage rates.
- Recalculate tipped wages: For businesses that rely on tipping (restaurants, bars, etc.), ensure you’re in compliance with the new minimum wage and tip credit rules.
- Adjust budgets: As wages increase, so do labor costs. Take the time to forecast your labor costs and adjust your budget accordingly.
Payroll and Tax Administration: What to Watch in 2026
With the increase in wages comes the need for accurate payroll administration. In 2026, small businesses will need to ensure they’re properly withholding the right amount of federal, state, and local taxes, and filing them correctly to avoid penalties.
The good news? Using automated payroll systems can help businesses avoid the risks of human error, ensuring that taxes are calculated and filed correctly every time. By outsourcing payroll to a trusted provider, like Accupay, businesses can ensure they meet compliance requirements without the headache of managing the details themselves.
As tax laws continue to evolve, especially regarding federal tax withholding and multi-state employment, staying on top of updates is critical. This is where having a payroll solution that stays current with tax law changes will save time and prevent costly mistakes.
How to prepare:
- Leverage automated payroll systems: Investing in payroll automation helps keep tax filings, deductions, and withholdings up to date, reducing the risk of compliance errors.
- Consult with a payroll provider: Outsourcing payroll to a professional service can free up valuable time while ensuring compliance with federal and state tax regulations.
- Stay informed: Keep an eye on local and state tax law changes, and work with your provider to adjust payroll processes as necessary.
HR Process & Compliance: Why 2026 Is a Good Time to Reevaluate HR and Payroll Infrastructure
As businesses grow and wages rise, manual HR and payroll processes often become inefficient and prone to errors. In 2026, small businesses in Lake Mary and Orlando should consider reevaluating their payroll and HR infrastructure. Many small businesses struggle to keep up with employee onboarding, benefits management, and compliance tracking without the proper tools in place.
Now is the time to implement systems that can handle not just payroll, but HR processes as well. A fully integrated solution helps streamline payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and employee self-service, all of which are essential for managing growing teams. By adopting a scalable payroll solution now, businesses can avoid the administrative burden of manually managing these processes as they grow.
Having a dedicated payroll partner, like Accupay, ensures that your payroll systems are fully integrated, automated, and compliant with changing regulations. With this support, business owners can focus on what matters most—growing their business.
How to prepare:
- Automate HR processes: Implement systems for time tracking, benefits administration, and employee self-service that scale as your business grows.
- Evaluate HR needs: Take time to assess your current HR infrastructure and consider outsourcing HR services if necessary.
- Stay compliant: Work with an experienced provider to ensure your business stays on top of compliance changes.
Prepare now and avoid costly payroll mistakes.
Action Steps: What Lake Mary & Orlando Small Businesses Should Do Now to Prepare for 2026 Changes
With the changes coming in 2026, now is the time to take proactive steps to ensure your business is ready. Here’s what you should do now to stay ahead of the curve:
- Review your wage structure: Make sure your employees are being paid according to the new minimum wage standards, and adjust pay bands accordingly.
- Audit your payroll and HR processes: Identify inefficiencies and areas where compliance risks might arise, and begin to streamline your payroll processes.
- Evaluate your options for payroll outsourcing: If you haven’t already, consider outsourcing payroll to a trusted provider like Accupay. This will reduce administrative burden and ensure compliance.
- Prepare for increased labor costs: With the minimum wage increase, adjust your budget, and plan for increased payroll expenses.
- Ensure tax compliance: Work with a payroll provider to ensure that all payroll taxes are being filed correctly and that you’re prepared for any tax law changes.
Prepare for a Smooth 2026 with Payroll and HR Solutions
As we approach 2026, small businesses in Lake Mary, Orlando, and across Florida are about to face key changes in payroll, taxes, and HR. The increase in the minimum wage, new tax laws, and evolving HR requirements will affect many aspects of your business. Now is the perfect time to start preparing.
Outsourcing payroll and HR functions can simplify your operations and help you stay compliant with new regulations. By partnering with a trusted provider like Accupay, you can manage your payroll processing, tax filings, and HR tasks efficiently. This frees up your time so you can concentrate on growing your business.
Planning for these changes and exploring how outsourcing can benefit your business will help you make a smooth transition into 2026. Take proactive steps now to ensure your business remains efficient and compliant as you move forward.
Schedule a consultation with Accupay today to learn more about how we can help streamline your payroll and HR processes for 2026.
