Service · Payroll & compliance
Indian payroll, run like engineering.
Indian payroll is not just monthly salary — it's TDS, EPF, ESI, Professional Tax, gratuity, and statutory returns that have to line up every cycle. TWF Labs runs it all for engineers employed through our EOR, on a documented system aligned to India's 2025 Labour Codes.
What runs each month
- Gross salary, deductions, employer contributions, net pay
- TDS deduction at source and remittance
- EPF electronic challan and return (ECR)
- ESI (where wage threshold applies)
- Professional Tax (state-specific — Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, etc.)
- Gratuity accrual on the books per the Payment of Gratuity Act
- Payslip issued to engineer; itemised invoice issued to you
What runs each quarter and year
- Quarterly TDS returns (24Q)
- Annual Form 16 to every engineer
- Annual EPF and ESI reconciliations
- Compliance changelog: what changed in the law, what it means for your CTCs
Built for the 2025 Labour Codes
India's four Labour Codes came into force on 21 November 2025. Every CTC structure we issue is built around the “50% rule” (basic + DA ≥ 50% of CTC). The Codes are in force at the central level; several central and state-level rules under them are still being finalised through 2026, and we track these as they land. If you're hiring senior engineers at ₹25–80 LPA, the post-Nov-2025 mechanics materially change PF and gratuity — we model it for you before you make the offer.
FAQ
Common questions, direct answers.
Is payroll only available with TWF Labs' EOR?
Today, yes — payroll is run as part of our EOR engagement. We don't take third-party payroll work for entities we don't legally employ from, because the compliance liability is too tightly coupled.
Which statutory filings do you handle?
Monthly TDS deduction and quarterly TDS returns, EPF (electronic challan and return), ESI (where applicable), Professional Tax (state-specific), and annual filings for Form 16. Gratuity is accrued on the books and paid on exit per the Payment of Gratuity Act.
What changed under the 2025 Labour Codes?
The biggest operational change is the 50% rule: basic wages plus DA must be at least 50% of total CTC. This raises PF and gratuity outflow versus pre-Nov-2025 structures. The Codes are in force at the central level; several central and state-level rules under them are still being finalised through 2026, and we track these as they land. Every contract we issue is built around the post-Nov-2025 mechanics. See our guide for the full breakdown.
Can we see the payroll run before it goes out?
Yes. Every monthly payroll run is shared with you in a preview cycle: gross, deductions, employer contributions, and net pay per engineer, with an itemised invoice. Once you approve, salaries disburse on the next payday.
How do you handle equity, bonuses, and reimbursements?
Equity stays on your cap table — we don't intermediate it. Cash bonuses run through payroll and are taxed as salary. Reimbursements are processed on a defined policy you set; we apply Indian rules around taxability (e.g., LTA, meal allowance, telephone).
Run India payroll without the spreadsheets.
A 25-minute call. We'll show you a sample payroll run, end to end.