<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><own:edgarSubmission xmlns:own="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <own:headerData>
    <own:submissionType>144</own:submissionType>
    <own:filerInfo>
      <own:filer>
        <own:filerCredentials>
          <own:cik>0000903201</own:cik>
          <own:ccc>XXXXXXXX</own:ccc>
        </own:filerCredentials>
      </own:filer>
      <own:liveTestFlag>LIVE</own:liveTestFlag>



    </own:filerInfo>
  </own:headerData>
  <own:formData>
    <own:issuerInfo>
      <own:issuerCik>0000723531</own:issuerCik>
      <own:issuerName>Paychex Inc.</own:issuerName>
      <own:issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>911 PANORAMA TRAIL S</com:street1>
        <com:city>ROCHESTER</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>NY</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>14625</com:zipCode>
      </own:issuerAddress>
      <own:issuerContactPhone>5853856666</own:issuerContactPhone>
      <own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>THOMAS B GOLISANO</own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <own:relationshipsToIssuer>
        <own:relationshipToIssuer>10% Owner</own:relationshipToIssuer>
      </own:relationshipsToIssuer>
    </own:issuerInfo>
    <own:securitiesInformation>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <own:name>Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &amp; Smith Incorporated</own:name>
        <own:address>
          <com:street1>1241 Pittsford Victor Rd</com:street1>
          <com:city>Pittsford</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>NY</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>14534</com:zipCode>
        </own:address>
      </own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <own:noOfUnitsSold>163930</own:noOfUnitsSold>
      <own:aggregateMarketValue>15279915</own:aggregateMarketValue>
      <own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>358290000</own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <own:approxSaleDate>05/04/2026</own:approxSaleDate>
      <own:securitiesExchangeName>NASD</own:securitiesExchangeName>
    </own:securitiesInformation>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>05/23/1996</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Private Placement</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Paychex</own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>N</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>163930</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:paymentDate>05/23/1996</own:paymentDate>
      <own:natureOfPayment>Cash</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <own:securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <own:sellerDetails>
        <own:name>B. Thomas Golisano Revocabl Living Trust</own:name>
        <own:address>
          <com:street1>7632 County Road 42</com:street1>
          <com:city>Victor</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>NY</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>14564</com:zipCode>
        </own:address>
      </own:sellerDetails>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:saleDate>05/04/2026</own:saleDate>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesSold>163930</own:amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <own:grossProceeds>15279915</own:grossProceeds>
    </own:securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <own:noticeSignature>
      <own:noticeDate>05/05/2026</own:noticeDate>
      <own:signature>Harrison Wright</own:signature>
    </own:noticeSignature>
  </own:formData>
</own:edgarSubmission>
