Question 1

What is Opolis?

Accepted Answer

Opolis is a member-owned employment cooperative that provides payroll, benefits, and W-2 employment infrastructure for independent professionals who run their own businesses. Members keep control of their clients, contracts, and revenue while Opolis runs the employer side of the stack: payroll processing, tax withholding and filings, benefits administration, and employment documentation.

Question 2

Who is Opolis for?

Accepted Answer

Opolis is built for independent professionals who operate their own S-Corp or C-Corp and are the primary worker in that business—consultants, contractors, freelancers, and solopreneurs who want a set-and-forget employment stack.

Question 3

How is Opolis different from a payroll company?

Accepted Answer

Payroll companies process paychecks, but you still assemble and manage the rest—benefits shopping, employer compliance, and ongoing admin. Opolis bundles the employer infrastructure (payroll + compliance + benefits administration) under a cooperative model designed for single-owner businesses.

Question 4

How is Opolis different from a PEO?

Accepted Answer

Many PEOs are designed for businesses with employees and operate through co-employment. Opolis is purpose-built for the solo operator and provides a cooperative employment structure that supports W-2 payroll and access to group benefits.

Question 5

What's the difference between an EOR and a PEO?

Accepted Answer

A PEO typically uses a co-employment model: you remain an employer and the PEO provides HR administration. An Employer of Record (EOR) is the legal employer for payroll and benefits administration, responsible for payroll tax compliance and employment obligations associated with that role. Opolis uses this structure to make W-2 employment and group benefits work for independent professionals while Members continue operating their own businesses.

Question 6

Is Opolis stable and built for the long term?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Opolis has operated since 2019 and is intentionally run lean and sustainably. The cooperative is funded by straightforward fees (a one-time membership fee and a 1% cooperative fee for Employee Members) rather than a venture-growth SaaS model optimized for consolidation or exit. Credibility (as of March 2026): $210M+ payroll processed and 1,150 W-2s issued (2020–2025).

Question 7

What's the catch?

Accepted Answer

There isn't a "gotcha"—it's a different model. You're joining shared infrastructure instead of building it alone. Pricing is transparent: a one-time membership fee to join, and Employee Members pay an ongoing cooperative fee tied to payroll and benefits activity.

Question 8

What does Opolis handle vs what do I handle?

Accepted Answer

Opolis handles: payroll processing and paystubs, federal/state/local payroll withholding and filings, employer-side payroll obligations, benefits administration (enrollment, billing coordination, ongoing administration), workers' comp and unemployment coverage, and W-2 employment documentation. Members handle: client work, contracts, and invoicing, funding payroll from business revenue, business tax filings (e.g., 1120-S) and personal returns (with a CPA as needed), and business decisions (salary level, bonuses, distributions, retained earnings).

Question 9

How does Employee Membership work?

Accepted Answer

Your business is invoiced semi-monthly. Opolis runs payroll, remits taxes, administers benefits, and issues W-2 income while you retain control of your business. This is an innovative “Employer-of-Record” model built for individuals.

Question 10

Do all members have voting rights?

Accepted Answer

No. All members can earn $WORK, receive dividends, and nominate Board candidates. Voting rights are reserved for Employee Members.

Question 11

What are the two membership tiers?

Accepted Answer

Community Membership ($97 one-time): join the cooperative and access community resources and governance participation. Employee Membership (full product): activates W-2 payroll, benefits access, and employment compliance infrastructure. Requires an S-Corp or C-Corp (or an LLC with S-Corp election). Employee Membership includes a 1% cooperative fee tied to your payroll/benefits activity.

Question 12

What is a Community Member?

Accepted Answer

A Community Member has joined the cooperative and has access to community resources and cooperative participation, but has not activated W-2 payroll and benefits through Opolis.

Question 13

What is an Employee Member?

Accepted Answer

An Employee Member is a Community Member who has activated Opolis for payroll and benefits. Employee Members receive W-2 pay and access to the Employee Member benefit stack while continuing to run their own business.

Question 14

What does Employee Membership cost?

Accepted Answer

Employee Membership is priced as 1% of your payroll invoice total each cycle (gross wages, employer payroll taxes, and elected benefit premiums). For many Members, this works out to roughly $500–$1,000 per year, depending on payroll and benefits elections.

Question 15

What is a Membership Stake?

Accepted Answer

A Membership Stake is a deposit equal to approximately one month of your elected benefits premiums, held to reduce the risk of coverage disruption if a payroll cycle is temporarily delayed.

Question 16

Can I pause or cancel my Employee Membership?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can pause or cancel Employee Membership. If payroll stops, W-2 employment and benefits will pause as well. The Membership Stake is held during active membership to protect coverage continuity and is returned upon cancellation per the member agreement terms.

Question 17

Is Opolis available in my state?

Accepted Answer

Employee Membership is available across the United States. Payroll compliance and minimums vary by state; Opolis uses state-specific requirements during eligibility and onboarding.

Question 18

Can I join if I live outside the United States?

Accepted Answer

Employee Membership (W-2 payroll and U.S. group benefits) is limited to people authorized to work in the U.S. Community Membership may be available to non-U.S. participants, but eligibility can vary—apply and the team will confirm.

Question 19

What do I need to get started?

Accepted Answer

Community Membership: $97 and an email. Employee Membership: a qualifying entity, EIN documentation, a business bank account to fund payroll, and a personal bank account for direct deposit.

Question 20

Do I need a corporation to become an Employee Member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Employee Membership requires an S-Corp or C-Corp, or an LLC with an S-Corp election (IRS Form 2553). This structure supports compliant owner-employee payroll and the employment stack Opolis provides.

Question 21

I only have an LLC. Can I still join?

Accepted Answer

Yes as a Community Member immediately. To activate Employee Membership, your LLC must elect S-Corp tax status (Form 2553) or otherwise qualify.

Question 22

Can Opolis help me set up an entity?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Opolis offers a $299 entity creation service that handles the full setup — LLC Articles of Organization, EIN, and S-Corp election (Form 2553). The process takes about 5 days on average, and includes one free year of Registered Agent service. Always consult a CPA or tax attorney to confirm the right structure for your situation.

Question 23

Can I use an entity I already have?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as it qualifies (S-Corp, C-Corp, or LLC with S-Corp election) and you have your basic entity documentation.

Question 24

Does my entity need to be formed in the state where I live?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Payroll compliance is based on where you live and work. Entity formation strategy is a legal/tax decision—consult a qualified professional for advice.

Question 25

What documents will I need for Employee Membership?

Accepted Answer

Commonly required: entity formation/registration document, IRS EIN confirmation, S-Corp election acceptance (if applicable), business bank account info (for funding), personal bank account info (direct deposit), government-issued ID, and IRS Form W-4.

Question 26

How long does onboarding take?

Accepted Answer

The application typically takes 30–60 minutes. Activation timing can depend on document readiness and payroll/benefits setup. Many Members target activation on the 1st of a month for clean benefits start dates.

Question 27

What happens after I apply?

Accepted Answer

After submitting your application, the Opolis team reviews your documents and entity status. You'll be guided through payroll configuration and benefits enrollment. Most Members complete setup within 2–3 weeks and go live on the 1st of the following month.

Question 28

Can I talk to someone before applying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can schedule an eligibility conversation to confirm fit before completing onboarding.

Question 29

How does payroll work?

Accepted Answer

Employee Members run payroll on a semi-monthly schedule. Your business funds payroll each cycle, Opolis withholds and remits required taxes and deductions, and deposits net pay to you—like a traditional employer, but you remain the owner of your business.

Question 30

When does payroll fund and when does it deposit?

Accepted Answer

Eleven days before pay day, an invoice is generated for your S-Corp. Nine days before pay day, the ACH draft initiates from your business funding account. Net pay deposits on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month — 24 cycles per year.

Question 31

How much do I have to pay myself?

Accepted Answer

You must maintain payroll at or above the minimum required for compliant W-2 employment in your state. Opolis provides state-based guidance during eligibility and onboarding.

Question 32

What if my income is variable?

Accepted Answer

You'll need enough funds in your business account to cover each payroll cycle. Many Members keep payroll near the minimum in lean months and add bonuses when revenue is higher.

Question 33

What's the difference between business revenue and my paycheck?

Accepted Answer

Revenue goes to your business. Your paycheck is the salary you elect to pay yourself via payroll. Remaining profit may stay in the business for expenses/savings or be taken as distributions, depending on your tax strategy.

Question 34

Can I receive part of my net pay in crypto?

Accepted Answer

Members may have the option to route a portion of net pay to supported digital asset rails. Any payroll required to satisfy minimum wage rules must be paid in USD.

Question 35

Can I set payroll to $0 and keep benefits active?

Accepted Answer

No. W-2 employment and group benefits require active payroll. If payroll pauses, employment and benefits may need to pause as well. The Membership Stake exists to reduce disruption risk.

Question 36

What benefits are available to Employee Members?

Accepted Answer

Employee Members may access a full suite of group benefits, which can include: medical, dental, and vision; HSA/FSA (where available); 401(k) with employer contribution options; short- and long-term disability; life insurance; workers' compensation and unemployment coverage; optional supplemental coverages (e.g., accident, hospital indemnity, legal). Plan availability and details can vary by state and carrier.

Question 37

Do I need to enroll in benefits to be an Employee Member?

Accepted Answer

No. Benefits enrollment is optional — you can use Opolis for W-2 payroll and tax compliance without electing any benefit plans. Many Members join primarily for the employment structure and add benefits over time.

Question 38

Why are group benefits better than buying individually?

Accepted Answer

Group benefits are priced and administered through a larger pool, which can improve access, networks, and pricing versus individual-market options for many Members.

Question 39

When do benefits start?

Accepted Answer

Benefits typically start on the first day of a month following successful onboarding and activation, depending on carrier and enrollment timelines.

Question 40

Can I change benefits mid-year?

Accepted Answer

Generally, changes occur during open enrollment or qualifying life events (marriage, birth/adoption, loss of other coverage, etc.), subject to plan rules.

Question 41

Why do unemployment and workers' comp matter?

Accepted Answer

Most independent contractors cannot access these protections. Employee Members participate in unemployment insurance and are covered by workers' compensation—protections usually reserved for traditional employment.

Question 42

Can Members include crypto in retirement?

Accepted Answer

Some Members may elect crypto exposure within their retirement allocation where supported by plan options and providers. Availability depends on plan rules.

Question 43

What does Opolis handle on the tax side?

Accepted Answer

Opolis handles payroll withholding, remittance, and payroll filings associated with running W-2 payroll for Employee Members.

Question 44

What do I receive at year end?

Accepted Answer

Employee Members receive a W-2 and payroll reporting that supports business bookkeeping and tax preparation. If health coverage applies, you may also receive coverage documentation as required.

Question 45

Does Opolis file my personal or business tax returns?

Accepted Answer

No. Your personal return and your business return (e.g., 1120-S and K-1 where applicable) are your responsibility. Most Members use a CPA.

Question 46

What is a K-1 and do I get one?

Accepted Answer

A K-1 is a tax form that reports your share of income, deductions, and credits from your S-Corp. Because you own your S-Corp, you will receive a K-1 from your business each year as part of your 1120-S filing. Opolis does not prepare this — your CPA handles it as part of your business return.

Question 47

Do I still need a CPA?

Accepted Answer

Most Members do, because entity-level filings and overall strategy go beyond payroll administration.

Question 48

Do I still pay self-employment tax?

Accepted Answer

W-2 wages are subject to payroll taxes. With an S-Corp, remaining profit may be distributed without payroll taxes, which is one reason many independent professionals use the S-Corp structure. A CPA can advise on what's appropriate for your situation.

Question 49

What is WORK?

Accepted Answer

WORK is Opolis's patronage tracking system. It records Member participation in the cooperative and is used to calculate proportional entitlement if the cooperative declares a distribution.

Question 50

Why does Opolis track patronage?

Accepted Answer

Cooperatives distribute value based on participation. WORK is the mechanism used to measure that participation in a consistent way.

Question 51

How do Members earn WORK?

Accepted Answer

Members earn WORK through participation such as payroll activity (Employee Members), referrals, and other cooperative contributions.

Question 52

Will WORK result in dividends?

Accepted Answer

Dividends are not guaranteed. If the cooperative generates surplus earnings and the board elects to distribute them, distributions are allocated proportionally based on recorded patronage.

Question 53

How does Opolis protect Member data?

Accepted Answer

Opolis uses industry-standard security practices and encryption to protect sensitive Member data and financial information.

Question 54

Who has access to my payroll and financial information?

Accepted Answer

Access is restricted to authorized personnel and service partners who require it to operate payroll, benefits, and related systems.

Resources.

Podcast

Unemployable · Season 2

Episode 12. How Freelancers Can Earn More by Working Less

Episode 11. Platforms Empowering Independent Workers in 2024

Episode 10. Crypto Tax Strategies from a Crypto CPA

Episode 9. A Freelancers Guide to the 2023 Tax Season

Episode 8. Democratized Employment for the Decentralized Future

Episode 7. Legal, Tax, and Intellectual Property Tips You Need to Know as a Freelancer

Episode 6. Self-Employed 401K and Retirement Strategies

Episode 5. How to Find Work as Freelance Web Developer in Web3

Episode 4. HSAs and FSAs: Essentials for Freelancers

Episode 3. How to Find Work in Web3 and DAOs

Episode 2. How to Get Affordable Freelancer Health Insurance

Episode 1: Spencer Graham: Working at a DAO and Web3 Solopreneur

Unemployable Podcast Trailer: Control Your Work and Freedom

Opolis Public Radio

Episode 15: Gitcoin and Opolis: Benefits for Freelance Developers

Episode 14: Crypto Invoicing Tips with David Gold

Episode 13: Opolis Governance and Open Enrollment with Barry Goers

Episode 12: Cooperativism and Governance with Auryn MacMillan

Episode 11: Opolis Rewards and Token Launch with Eric Arsenault

Episode 10: Bill Warren on Opolis Commons and DAOs

Episode 9: Russell Castagnaro on Colorado’s Digital Innovation

Episode 8: Vignesh Sundaresan on DeFi & Changing Crypto Payments

Episode 7: Nathan Schneider on Governance and the Next Economy

Episode 6: Kevin Owocki on Employment and Quadratic Funding

Episode 5: Sean Li on Digital Identity and Web3 Mass Adoption

Episode 4: Legalizing the Commons with Jason Wiener and Yev Muchnik

Episode 3: Eddie Pastore on Launching the Employment Commons

Episode 2: ETHDenver Team: Devcon 2019 Highlights and Takeaways

Episode 1: Dana Mahina – The Myth of Work-Life Balance