Mercury Payroll with Command AI agent

Mercury launched Mercury Payroll for W-2 employees and US 1099 contractors, run from the same Mercury business account, with payroll tax filing and multi-state compliance included. Its Command AI agent can draft payroll changes such as salary updates and bonuses for the user's approval.

Read the announcement ↗Official site ↗

Free through 2026, then paidProprietaryMercury business account (US)by Mercury (San Francisco)

Why it matters

For CPAs, bookkeepers and payroll providers with startup or small-business clients who bank with Mercury. Payroll, tax remittance and an AI agent now sit inside the client's bank account, which can change who runs payroll and where payroll records live.

What's new

Runs W-2 payroll and US 1099 contractor payments from an existing Mercury account, in all 50 states.
Mercury says it files and remits federal and state payroll taxes, handles year-end W-2s and 1099s, responds to unemployment claims and registers companies in new states.
Command, Mercury's AI agent, can draft payroll changes from plain-language requests (salary updates, overtime, bonuses, recurring deductions or reimbursements); the user approves before anything runs.unverified
Benefits include health, dental and vision through a licensed broker, plus 401(k) via Human Interest or a self-managed plan.
Built on Central, which Mercury acquired in April 2026; Central customers will be migrated over the coming weeks.

Taken from the maker's own announcement, release notes or product pages. Claims about speed, accuracy or results are the maker's, not ours.

Worth a look if: Your client already banks with Mercury and runs a small US team, and you want payroll and tax remittance in the same place as the cash.

Worth knowing: Mercury is a fintech, not a bank; payroll services involve third parties (Check, Human Interest). Mercury notes AI-drafted payroll changes may be inaccurate and must be reviewed. Accountants should confirm report exports and access for outside preparers.

Quick facts

Pricing	Free for eligible Mercury customers through Dec 31, 2026; from 2027, $100/month plus $50/month per person paid that month (per Mercury's blog and pricing page).
Free or paid	Free through 2026, then paid
License	Proprietary
Type	Web and mobile app (SaaS)
Platform	Mercury business account (US)
GitHub stars	n/a (not a GitHub project)
Maker	Mercury (San Francisco)

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What we couldn't verify

highlights[2] (Command payroll actions not tested)

Checked 2026-10-22 from the maker's own pages. Features, availability and prices change, so confirm with the vendor, and review any tool against your firm's security, privacy and compliance requirements before using it with client data. Listing here is not a ranking or an endorsement.