4Geeks Payroll FAQs
This FAQ addresses common questions about 4Geeks Payroll. Use the table of contents to navigate to specific topics.
General Questions¶
What is 4Geeks Payroll?¶
4Geeks Payroll is the elite management layer for global corporates. It provides enterprise technology to manage local employees and Visa-powered rails to pay global contractors – all from a unified command center.
What does 4Geeks Payroll offer?¶
4Geeks Payroll provides two paths: - Contractor Stream: Instant global payouts via branded Visa cards with automated tax compliance - Employee Stream: Centralized management for local entities and payroll providers with high-fidelity data reporting
Who is 4Geeks Payroll for?¶
4Geeks Payroll is designed for: - Companies with global contractors who need fast, compliant payouts - Organizations that own their local entities and want to manage employees efficiently - Businesses looking to avoid expensive EOR (Employer of Record) markups
How is 4Geeks Payroll different from an EOR?¶
Traditional EORs charge \(600+/month per worker to use their entity. If you already own your entity, 4Geeks provides the same management technology starting at just **\)7/month per worker** (Core) or $12/month per worker (Business). You own your entity, own your talent, and automate the chaos.
What does “Own Your Entity. Own Your Talent. Automate the Chaos.” mean?¶
- Own Your Entity: You maintain control of your local legal entities rather than renting an EOR’s entity
- Own Your Talent: You have direct relationships with your workers, not through a third party
- Automate the Chaos: 4Geeks technology handles the complexity of global workforce management
What is the difference between the Contractor Stream and Employee Stream?¶
- Contractor Stream: For paying independent contractors globally via Visa cards with automated compliance
- Employee Stream: For managing local employees through your own entities, with data reporting for your local payroll providers
Can I use both streams simultaneously?¶
Yes. Many organizations use both streams – the Contractor Stream for international freelancers and the Employee Stream for local team members.
Contractor Stream¶
What is the Contractor Stream?¶
The Contractor Stream enables instant global payouts to contractors via branded 4Geeks Visa cards. Stop dealing with slow bank wires and high fees.
How do contractor payments work?¶
- Fund your 4Geeks account
- Issue branded Visa cards to contractors
- Pay contractors instantly with 1-click funding
- Contractors can use the card for local spending, online purchases, or ATM withdrawals
What is a 4Geeks Visa card?¶
A branded Visa card (physical or virtual) issued to your contractors for instant access to funds. The card features your company’s logo and works wherever Visa is accepted.
How fast are contractor payouts?¶
Instant. Contractors receive funds immediately – no more 3-5 day delays for international SWIFT transfers.
What are the benefits for contractors?¶
- No waiting: Instant access to funds
- Lower fees: Avoid hidden exchange rate markups and intermediary bank fees
- Financial inclusion: Professional financial tool even in countries with complex banking systems
How is tax compliance handled for contractors?¶
4Geeks automates the heavy lifting: - W-8BEN collection: Automated collection and management of W-8BEN forms for US-based compliance - Tax-compliant invoicing: Every payment generates a local, tax-compliant invoice automatically - Audit trails: Complete history of all payments and documents for your accounting team
Can I customize the Visa card with my company branding?¶
Yes. The Visa cards feature your company’s logo for a branded experience.
What can contractors do with their Visa card?¶
- Local spending at any Visa-accepting merchant
- Online purchases for SaaS tools and services
- ATM withdrawals for cash access
How do I issue a Visa card to a contractor?¶
Cards can be issued through the 4Geeks Console. Both physical and virtual cards are available.
Are there limits on contractor payments?¶
Payment limits depend on your plan and compliance requirements. Contact our team for specific limit information.
What countries can I pay contractors in?¶
4Geeks Payroll supports contractor payments globally. The Visa card works wherever Visa is accepted.
Employee Stream¶
What is the Employee Stream?¶
The Employee Stream acts as the Intelligence Layer for your local entities. 4Geeks serves as the Central Command Center that feeds perfect data to your local HR and payroll providers.
How does the Employee Stream work?¶
- Manage every contract, ID, and compliance document across 50+ countries in one place
- Track hours, overtime, and vacation days in real time
- Generate high-fidelity data reports for your local HR team to execute payments with 100% accuracy
What countries are supported?¶
4Geeks Payroll supports management across 50+ countries.
What tracking features are available?¶
- Real-time visibility: See who is working, where, and for how long
- Compliance vault: Store and manage local contracts, IDs, and compliance documents securely
- Custom workflows: Adapt the system to your local entity’s specific reporting requirements
What is a high-fidelity data report?¶
At the end of the payroll cycle, 4Geeks generates a detailed, accurate data report that your local HR team can use to execute the final payment with 100% accuracy. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces errors.
Do I still need a local payroll provider?¶
Yes. 4Geeks provides the management technology and data reporting. Your local payroll provider executes the actual payments in accordance with local labor laws.
Can I manage contracts through 4Geeks Payroll?¶
Yes. Every contract, ID, and local compliance document can be managed across 50+ countries in one place.
Time Tracking¶
What time tracking methods are available?¶
4Geeks Payroll offers three time tracking methods: - GPS-validated mobile clock-in: Employees check in via the mobile app with location verification - Entrance App: Tablet-based biometric/PIN check-in for office locations - Manual entry: Self-reported hours with manager approval
How does GPS-validated clock-in work?¶
Employees open the mobile app and tap “Clock In”. The system captures GPS coordinates and validates the location against approved work zones (optional). The same process is used for clocking out.
Can employees clock in/out without internet?¶
Yes. The mobile app supports offline mode. Clock-in/out timestamps are stored locally and automatically sync when internet connection is restored.
What is geofencing?¶
Geofencing allows you to define approved work locations (office, client sites, project locations). When enabled, the system validates that employees are within these zones when clocking in.
How are timesheets generated?¶
Timesheets are automatically generated based on clock-in/out data. Daily, weekly, and monthly timesheets are available for review and approval.
Can I track overtime?¶
Yes. Configure overtime rules to match your local labor laws, including daily overtime, weekly overtime, weekend/holiday premiums, and custom rules. Overtime is automatically calculated and requires manager approval.
What real-time visibility is available?¶
The live dashboard shows: - Currently working employees - Late arrivals - Early departures - Absent employees - Employees on break
Can I export time tracking data?¶
Yes. Export time tracking data in CSV, PDF, or via API integration for your local payroll provider.
Local Compliance¶
What is the Compliance Vault?¶
The Compliance Vault is a secure, role-based document storage system for all employment-related documentation. It provides enterprise-grade encryption, version control, automated reminders, and full audit trails.
What types of documents can be stored?¶
The Compliance Vault supports: - Employment contracts (full-time, part-time, fixed-term, contractor agreements) - Identification (passports, national IDs, work permits, visas) - Tax documents (W-8BEN, W-4, local tax forms, social security numbers) - Compliance documents (background checks, certifications, licenses) - Country-specific mandatory documents
How many countries are supported?¶
4Geeks Payroll supports compliance management across 50+ countries, including major markets in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.
Are there country-specific templates?¶
Yes. Pre-configured document templates are available for each country, with mandatory field validation and local language support.
How does contract management work?¶
Manage the full contract lifecycle: 1. Create contracts using pre-built templates 2. Send for digital signature 3. Store signed contracts automatically 4. Track expiration dates with automated renewal reminders
What automated reminders are available?¶
Configurable reminders for document expiration: - 30, 60, and 90 days before expiration - Custom intervals - Escalation rules if no action is taken - Onboarding checklists for new hires
Who can access the Compliance Vault?¶
Role-based permissions control access: - Employees: View own documents, upload new documents - Managers: View team documents, approve submissions - HR Admins: Full access to all documents, manage permissions - Auditors: Read-only access for compliance audits - Payroll Providers: Access to payroll-related documents only
Is the Compliance Vault secure?¶
Yes. Enterprise-grade security includes: - AES-256 encryption at rest - TLS 1.3 encryption in transit - Access logging for every attempt - IP restrictions - Two-factor authentication for admin access
Does it support GDPR and privacy regulations?¶
Yes. Built-in support includes right to access, right to deletion, data minimization, and consent management.
Employee Mobile App¶
What is the Employee Mobile App?¶
The Employee Mobile App is a self-service portal that empowers employees to manage their professional data from anywhere, anytime. It eliminates the need for HR to handle routine requests.
What platforms are supported?¶
The app is available on: - iOS (iPhone and iPad, iOS 14+) - Android (phones and tablets, Android 8+) - Web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
How do employees log in?¶
Passwordless login via secure email link. Optional biometric login (Face ID or fingerprint) is available for convenience.
What can employees do with the app?¶
Employees can: - Clock in/out with GPS validation - View and download payslips - Request time off (vacation, sick leave, personal days) - Track time off balance - View time records - Update personal information - Upload required documents - Sync approved time off with personal calendars
Can managers use the app?¶
Yes. Managers can: - View team overview (who’s working, who’s on leave) - Approve or deny time-off requests - Review timesheet corrections - Approve overtime requests - View team calendar
Does the app work offline?¶
Yes. Offline functionality includes: - Clock in/out (syncs when online) - View cached payslips - Create draft requests (submit when online) - Update profile (syncs when connected)
How is employee data protected?¶
Enterprise-grade security includes: - Encryption in transit and at rest - Secure storage in device enclave - Automatic logout after inactivity - Remote wipe capability if device is lost
Can employees request corrections to their time records?¶
Yes. Employees can request corrections through the app, which are sent to their manager for approval.
How do employees get support?¶
In-app help includes: - FAQ section - Direct messaging to HR - Email support (support@4geeks.io) - Feedback form for suggestions
Employee Experience¶
What is the Entrance App?¶
The Entrance App turns any tablet at your office entrance into a professional biometric/PIN check-in station. It provides a modern, “Silicon Valley” experience for your physical lobby.
Can employees view their payslips through the app?¶
Yes. Employees can access their payslips directly through the mobile app, view details, and download them as PDF or image files.
How do employees request time off?¶
Employees can submit vacation and time-off requests through the mobile app in seconds. They select the type of leave, choose dates, add an optional note, and submit for manager approval.
Pricing¶
How much does 4Geeks Payroll cost?¶
4Geeks Payroll offers two plans:
- Core: $7 USD /month/worker – Basic HR automation
- Business: $12 USD /month/worker – All in Core plus advanced features
What is included in the Core plan ($7/month)?¶
- Worker profiles & dashboards
- Multi-contract types and models
- Time tracking and time off
- Multi-currency payroll & payslips
- Worker bonuses and deductions
- Local tax and full compliance
- Advanced analytics & insights
- Visa contractor payouts: Pay global contractors instantly with branded 4Geeks Visa cards
- HR Intelligence Reports: Automated data exports for local entities to execute payroll with 100% accuracy
- Mobile App: Employee self-service for vacations, payslips, and geo-location check-in
- Entrance App: Secure, hardware-fixed station for office-based staff attendance tracking
What is included in the Business plan ($12/month)?¶
Everything in Core, plus:
- Employee self-serve app (payslips, vacations)
- Employee GPS tracking
- Time tracking on-site with face ID
- Multi-branch
- API access
- Corporate spending card (soon)
- Payouts (soon)
Are there any setup fees?¶
No setup fees. You pay only $7/month (Core) or $12/month (Business) per worker.
How does this compare to an EOR?¶
Traditional EORs charge $600+/month per worker. 4Geeks Payroll starts at just $7/month (Core) or $12/month (Business) per worker when you already own your entity – saving you over $588/month per worker.
Is there a minimum number of workers?¶
Contact our team for minimum worker requirements and volume discounts.
Are there volume discounts?¶
Yes. Contact our sales team to discuss volume discounts for larger organizations.
Getting Started¶
How do I get started with 4Geeks Payroll?¶
Contact our sales team or visit the 4Geeks Console to activate Payroll for your organization.
How long does setup take?¶
Setup time depends on your organization’s complexity. Basic contractor setup can be completed in hours, while full employee stream integration may take 1-2 weeks.
What information do I need to provide?¶
- Company details and legal entity information
- Bank account information for funding
- Employee or contractor information
- Local entity details (for employee stream)
Can I migrate from an EOR to 4Geeks Payroll?¶
Yes. If you own your entity, you can transition from an EOR to 4Geeks Payroll. Contact our team for migration support.
Do you provide onboarding support?¶
Yes. Our team provides onboarding support to help you set up both the Contractor and Employee streams.
Security and Compliance¶
How is employee data protected?¶
4Geeks Payroll implements enterprise-grade security practices to protect sensitive employee and contractor data, including secure document storage and encrypted communications.
Is 4Geeks Payroll compliant with local labor laws?¶
4Geeks Payroll provides the technology layer to manage compliance. Your local entities and payroll providers remain responsible for executing payments in accordance with local labor laws.
How are documents stored?¶
All contracts, IDs, and compliance documents are stored securely in the Compliance Vault with role-based access controls.
What is the Compliance Vault?¶
The Compliance Vault is a secure storage system for all local contracts, IDs, and compliance documents. It provides role-based access and full audit trails.
Who can access employee data?¶
Access is controlled by role-based permissions. Only authorized personnel can access employee and contractor data.
Troubleshooting¶
A contractor’s Visa card is not working. What should I do?¶
- Verify the card is activated
- Check the available balance
- Ensure the card is not expired
- Contact support if the issue persists
My local HR team needs data in a specific format. Can you customize reports?¶
Yes. Custom workflows can be adapted to your local entity’s specific reporting requirements. Contact support to discuss your needs.
How do I add a new worker?¶
Add workers through the 4Geeks Console. You can add contractors or employees and assign them to the appropriate stream.
I can’t access the Compliance Vault. What should I do?¶
- Verify your account permissions
- Check that your subscription is active
- Contact support if you need access adjusted
How do I update a worker’s information?¶
Update worker information through the 4Geeks Console. Contact support if you need assistance with bulk updates.
Support¶
How do I contact support?¶
- Email: support@4geeks.io
- In-Console: Click the ? icon
- Documentation: 4Geeks Payroll guides
What information should I provide when contacting support?¶
- Account ID or company name
- Worker ID (if applicable)
- Description of the issue
- Screenshots or error messages
- Urgency level
What are support hours?¶
Standard support is available Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 6 PM (your timezone). Email response within 24 hours.
Can I request new features?¶
Yes. Submit feature requests through the in-console feedback form, email to product@4geeks.io, or your account manager.
Still questions? Ask on Discord or explore tutorials