Overview
Plan sponsors connect their payroll provider to Stax.ai CX through the client portal. The process takes only a few minutes. Once connected, payroll data syncs into CX automatically — no more manual reports. This article walks through the steps your plan sponsor follows. Share it with them, or use it to guide them on a call.
Prerequisites
Before starting, the plan sponsor needs:
A client portal login (see Client Portal articles if they haven't been invited yet)
Their payroll provider login credentials
Permission to share payroll data with third parties. Some providers may also require an API credential — an access key generated inside the payroll system.
Connect a payroll provider
Here are the steps your plan sponsor follows in the client portal:
Log in to the client portal.
Click the profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
Select Payroll from the dropdown list. The payroll connection screen opens.
Search for the payroll provider by name.
Select the provider when it appears in the list.
Verify permissions when prompted. This step confirms the sponsor has access to the payroll information that will be sent to Stax.ai.
Click Continue.
Enter the payroll provider login credentials to authenticate. Depending on the provider, an API credential may be required instead.
Click Connect. The connection is created and payroll data begins syncing into CX automatically.
Important: Don't skip any steps in the flow. Some payroll providers require extra steps to process payroll data, and skipping them can cause an incomplete connection.
What each step needs
Provider search — the exact payroll company the sponsor uses (Intuit, ADP, Paychex, and many more).
Permission check — confirmation that the sponsor is authorized to share this data.
Credentials — the sponsor's own payroll login, or an API credential if the provider requires one.
You're all set!
Once the sponsor clicks Connect, the connection status appears in CX. Automated connections usually finish syncing within one to two days. You can watch progress on the Payrolls page.
Tips
If the provider doesn't appear in the search, it may use an assisted connection instead. See Payroll Statuses Explained for how assisted connections work.
If the sponsor's provider can't connect at all, set up a file upload task instead — see Drag and Drop Payroll Uploading.
Connecting before census season saves everyone time. See Connecting Payroll Ahead of Census for a ready-made project template.
Related articles
Payroll Overview — how payroll fits into CX
Connecting Payroll Ahead of Census — get connections done before census season
Payroll Statuses Explained — track the connection after the sponsor finishes