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Paying someone in India means navigating statutes, not just bank transfers.

Salary cannot just wire from abroad. Employers file PF by the 15th, ESI by the 15th, TDS by the 7th, and gratuity accrues monthly. Payroll runs on the 30th. We handle every statutory step and send proof. You verify the person got paid.

You cannot wire salary from overseas and call it done. Monthly payroll runs on the 30th, statutory filings hit by the 7th and 15th, gratuity accrues. We execute the full sequence and send you the proof.

Speak to sales EOR vs entity, in detail

G2 4.8 / 5 on G2, from companies employing teams in India through us.

Teams building in India. First hire to full team.

Payroll in India versus anywhere else you hire.

Four statutory touchpoints and multiple filing deadlines make India payroll distinct. On your entity, you file everything. On ours, we handle the calendar.

Your own entity

Through us

How salary moves
You wire from abroad, file PF and TDS forms, navigate bank compliance rules
We run local payroll. One transfer per month from our account, every filing timed correctly
PF and ESI deadlines
You track the 15th of each month, or pay interest and penalties
We file by the 15th. You see proof in your portal
TDS filing window
Monthly reconciliation and filing by the 7th, or face interest accrual
Filed by the 7th automatically, evidence attached
Gratuity accounting
You calculate accrual monthly, carry the liability balance, prove it in audits
We accrue and record it monthly as a liability item
Payslip generation
Your payroll vendor handles this, you review
We generate and deliver to each employee monthly
Year-end tax filing
Form 16 and TDS reconciliation fall to your accounting team
We issue Form 16 to each person, TDS reconciled

Your own entity
How salary moves You wire from abroad, file PF and TDS forms, navigate bank compliance rules
PF and ESI deadlines You track the 15th of each month, or pay interest and penalties
TDS filing window Monthly reconciliation and filing by the 7th, or face interest accrual
Gratuity accounting You calculate accrual monthly, carry the liability balance, prove it in audits
Payslip generation Your payroll vendor handles this, you review
Year-end tax filing Form 16 and TDS reconciliation fall to your accounting team

Through us
How salary moves We run local payroll. One transfer per month from our account, every filing timed correctly
PF and ESI deadlines We file by the 15th. You see proof in your portal
TDS filing window Filed by the 7th automatically, evidence attached
Gratuity accounting We accrue and record it monthly as a liability item
Payslip generation We generate and deliver to each employee monthly
Year-end tax filing We issue Form 16 to each person, TDS reconciled
By the 7th
TDS deposit filed with income tax
By the 15th
PF and ESI contributions remitted
On the 30th
Monthly salary paid to each employee
Every month
Payslips generated and shared
Annually
Form 16 issued for tax filing
Quarterly
TDS returns filed for verification

Late statutory deposits create cascading liability.

A missed PF challan triggers 12% interest yearly from day one, with additional damages up to 25%.

Your registration takes the hit. When we employ your team, our registration takes the liability instead.

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PF challan debt if left unpaid Interest and damages compound
₹6,200 Day 1
₹41,500 Day 30
₹1,84,000 Day 90
₹3,12,000 Day 180
Based on one missed challan for a small payroll. Real figures depend on salary base and delay length.
Who the tax demand targets
Your company's filing You
Filing on our registration Versatile

Large teams eventually justify entity ownership. The final FAQ question pinpoints the crossover. Compare both paths using the EOR versus entity calculator with your numbers.

Monthly payroll timing and the statutory sequence.

We run payroll on the 30th. TDS deposits by the 7th, PF and ESI by the 15th. Every filing happens automatically. You never touch a government portal.

You run

  • Salary approvals and payroll accuracy sign-off
  • Leave and attendance tracking
  • Compensation and benefits decisions

We handle

  • Payroll execution on the 30th
  • TDS computation and deposit by the 7th
  • PF and ESI filing by the 15th
  • Payslips and statutory documents

You run
  • Approve payroll and verify accuracy
  • Track attendance and leave
  • Make compensation decisions
  • Run payroll reviews

We handle
  • Execute the monthly payroll run
  • Deposit and reconcile TDS
  • File PF and ESI contributions
  • Generate payslips for all employees
  • Gratuity accrual and calculations
  • Form 16 and year-end reporting

When something happens in India, it is ours.
TDS computation needs verification We verify with tax brackets
A payslip error is found We correct and reissue
A new tax rule applies We implement the changes

A named compliance manager owns your account. Not a queue, not a chatbot, one person who already knows your headcount and your last filing.

Account managerMedian first reply 4 to 6 hours
Recruitment coordinatorBrief to shortlist 9 days
Finance associateFilings on time 8 / 8

Employees never wait for salary.

Payroll executes on the 30th every month, on schedule, with no delay or exception. Gratuity accrues automatically from the first day.

Statutory deadlines become automatic.

TDS by the 7th, PF by the 15th, every filing timed and delivered. You see the receipts without managing a calendar.

Tax documents arrive ready to file.

Form 16, TDS reconciliation and annual statements come to us and to your employees. Tax time is simple.

Payroll switches entities without skipping a cycle.

If you later incorporate and move the team, gratuity, PF UAN and service dates transfer without payroll interruption.

Employees never wait for salary.

Payroll executes on the 30th every month, on schedule, with no delay or exception. Gratuity accrues automatically from the first day.

Certainty is part of the retention story.

Statutory deadlines become automatic.

TDS by the 7th, PF by the 15th, every filing timed and delivered. You see the receipts without managing a calendar.

Compliance stops being a crisis.

Tax documents arrive ready to file.

Form 16, TDS reconciliation and annual statements come to us and to your employees. Tax time is simple.

No scrambling for documents on December 31st.

Moving someone across

Transfer payroll to your entity without a missed salary.

When you build your own entity and move the team across, payroll runs on schedule with no gap. Every employment date and gratuity accrual travels with them.

Tenure Kept
Gratuity clock Kept
PF and UAN Continuous
Payroll gap 0 days

We moved 200 people across in one payroll cycle, with zero service interruption.

Supporting evidence

Payroll runs on a registered entity from day one.

All payroll processes sit on Foo Falcon Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, incorporated in 2022.

  • Incorporation
  • GST
  • EPFO code
  • ESIC
  • Shops and Establishments
  • PAN and TAN
  • Udyam MSME
What we verify
  • Incorporation Ministry of Corporate Affairs
  • GST Goods and Services Tax
  • EPFO code Employees Provident Fund Organisation
  • ESIC Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • Shops and Establishments Government of Karnataka
  • PAN and TAN Income Tax Department
  • Udyam MSME Government of India

Bank statements and filing receipts available in your portal every month.

200

person team managed on payroll for multiple cycles with zero gaps

33

consecutive monthly invoices processed for a single client without missed timing

5 days

from hire acceptance to first salary run

G2 4.8 / 5 on G2, from companies employing teams in India through us.

G2 4.8 / 5 on G2, from companies employing through us.

Payroll on schedule, every month.

Customers on how salary, filings and compliance work when an EOR owns the payroll stack.

Video
Bharath Rasoi KS Rajeshwari Founder, Bharath Rasoi
Video
Open Theatre Anand Raj Founder, Open Theatre
Abid Hassan Verified client
Sensibull
“They moved fast and took the whole compliance side off my plate. For a founder making an early India hire, that is exactly what you want.”
Abid Hassan Founder and CEO, Sensibull
Via G2
Moonshot
“Every option was either 'set up your own entity' or a platform that quotes a great price then hits you with add-ons. Versatile was the one that actually made it simple. First payroll ran on time. No scramble.”
Angad S. Co-Founder, Moonshot
Via G2
Digital Marketing Agency
“Contracts, PF, ESI, TDS and payroll all in one place. Invoicing in USD meant zero exchange rate surprises. The compliance rigour is genuinely reassuring.”
Vedant T. Founder, Digital Marketing Agency
Via G2
Design Studio
“Setting up in a new country can get messy fast, but their India EOR made onboarding feel easy. The team is responsive, clear, and great to work with.”
Setu C. Studio Owner, Design Studio
Via G2
US Startup
“We used Versatile to hire our first employee in India after months of putting it off because the compliance side seemed like a mess. They walked us through it and now we don't think about it.”
Verified US Founder First-time Founder, US Startup
Via G2
Mid-Market Tech Co.
“Versatile consistently delivered work that was both strategically sharp and execution-ready. Their turnaround times are impressive, and they think about problems the way an in-house team would.”
Shivani K. Senior Manager, Tech TA
Via G2
Growth-stage Startup
“Their team was highly responsive, professional, and easy to work with. They made a complex process feel simple.”
Mukul S. Core Team, Growth-stage Startup

Case studies.

Largest food delivery app in India, decacorn View case study The world's largest professional network, part of Microsoft View case study Legacy US software company, publishing platforms View case study

Payroll processing included in one fee.

The $149 per-employee monthly fee covers every payroll step: processing, statutory deposits, filings and payslips. No hidden charges for payments or compliance work.

Employer of Record

Payroll included
$149 /employee/mo

At twenty-one employees, the rate steps to $129 for all. Monthly billing in your currency. No minimum term or exit penalties.

Start payroll
  • Monthly payroll processing
  • TDS computation and deposit by the 7th
  • PF and ESI filing by the 15th
  • Gratuity accrual from day one
  • Statutory payslips monthly
  • One USD invoice covering everything
  • Form 16 and year-end tax documents
  • Zero-gap transition to your entity later
  • Monthly payroll processing
  • TDS computation and deposit by the 7th
  • PF and ESI filing by the 15th
  • Gratuity accrual from day one
Four additional services
  • Statutory payslips monthly
  • One USD invoice covering everything
  • Form 16 and year-end tax documents
  • Zero-gap transition to your entity later

Large payroll or multiple locations? Speak to sales.

Recruitment

Sourcing included
12% of annual CTC

Junior and mid-senior roles priced at 12% of CTC. Senior 15%, leadership discussed individually. Your own referrals incur no fee.

Submit role
  • Vetted candidates in nine days
  • Payroll benchmarks by location
  • Interview coordination across zones
  • Invoice at day ninety only
  • Senior hires at 15%
  • Director roles quoted per scope
  • Your referred candidates free
  • Employees onboard to our entity or yours
  • Vetted candidates in nine days
  • Payroll benchmarks by location
  • Interview coordination across zones
  • Invoice at day ninety only
Four additional terms
  • Senior hires at 15%
  • Director roles quoted per scope
  • Your referred candidates free
  • Employees onboard to our entity or yours

Recruiting leadership or multiple positions? Speak to sales.

Twenty-one is the threshold

$149 $129 /employee/mo

The entire team reprices to $129 automatically. No contract renegotiation, no additional terms.

Payroll fee includes

  • Monthly salary processing and execution
  • TDS withholding and timely deposit
  • PF and ESI deduction and filing
  • Gratuity expense accrual
  • Itemized payslips to employees
  • One invoice monthly in your currency
  • Annual Form 16 and tax reconciliation
  • Offboarding and final settlement

At twenty-one employees, all rates drop to $129

$149 $129 /employee/mo

Full team reprices that month. Same service level, lower cost, no changes to your agreement.

Payroll fee includes

  • Monthly salary processing and execution
  • TDS withholding and timely deposit
  • PF and ESI deduction and filing
  • Gratuity expense accrual
  • Itemized payslips to employees
  • One invoice monthly in your currency
  • Annual Form 16 and tax reconciliation
  • Offboarding and final settlement

Recruitment bills at 12% of annual CTC on day ninety for junior and mid-level searches. Actual salary and employer statutory amounts (12% PF, 3.25% ESI, 4.81% gratuity) flow through at no markup. Insurance, devices and facility costs partner-bill as incurred. The EOR versus entity calculator shows your full-year picture.

Payroll mechanics in India.

How payments flow, when filings happen, and who manages each statutory step when you hire through an EOR.

Why can you not just wire salary from overseas?

India has strict regulations on currency conversion, compliance documentation and statutory withholdings. Salary must flow through local entity payroll, with TDS withheld, PF deducted and filed, ESI processed, and formal proof generated for each payment. Direct wire skips the legal framework.

When does payroll run each month?

The 30th. We process all salary payments and generate payslips on that date. By the 7th, TDS deposits are filed. By the 15th, PF and ESI reach the authorities. You see proof in your portal for every step.

How is TDS calculated and deposited?

TDS is withholded from each employee's salary based on their tax bracket and annual income estimate. We compute, file and deposit this by the 7th of the following month. Quarterly TDS returns reconcile the amounts.

What exactly happens with PF and ESI?

PF (provident fund) is 12% of salary deducted from the employee and matched by the employer. ESI (employee state insurance) is 3.25% employer contribution up to a wage cap. Both file to authorities by the 15th monthly, with evidence receipts sent to you.

When does gratuity get calculated?

Monthly. We accrue 4.81% of salary every month as gratuity liability. On separation, gratuity is calculated per the formula (salary last year x years of service x 15/26), and paid out as a lump sum when the employee leaves.

How does payroll change if someone works mid-month?

Salary is prorated by actual working days. If someone joins on the 15th, that month's salary covers the 15th through the 30th. PF, ESI and TDS all compute on the prorated amount.

What if there is a salary revision?

Revisions take effect from the first of the following month (or any month you choose). We recompute all statutory withholdings and filings under the new salary from that date. No back-calculations on prior months.

When hiring reaches my own entity, does payroll keep running?

Yes. We transition all staff with service continuity intact. The last payroll runs on our entity in one month, the first on yours the next month, with zero gap. Gratuity dates and UAN status travel unchanged.

Longer reading: EOR India 2026 · EOR India playbook · Pay employees in India

Tell us where you are on the decision.

A role you want to hire, a team you want moved, or just the two routes to compare. A named person replies in 4 to 6 hours.

A named person replies in 4 to 6 hours, not an autoresponder.

We use these details to respond to your enquiry.

A named person replies in 4 to 6 hours, not an autoresponder. We use these details to respond to your enquiry.

What the first call covers

30 minutes

A cost comparison for your headcount, on your numbers, both routes.

  • A written cost breakdown
  • Entity documents before the call
  • PF, ESI, TDS, termination law
  • No follow-up sequence
Book a call →

You pick the time, we send a Meet link. Any timezone.

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