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Compensation & Benefits

Payroll year-end: It’s never too late to start early

08/22/2016
This coming year-end is going to be like no other, thanks to the accelerated, consolidated W-2/1099-MISC filing deadline of Jan. 31, 2017, and the fact that you no longer will be able to apply for an automatic extension of time to file your W-2s with the Social Security Administration. The earlier you start your year-end prep, the better off you’ll be.

NACHA’s same-day settlement launches Sept. 23

08/19/2016
Beginning Sept. 23, 2016, rule changes at NACHA—the electronic banking organization—will allow same-day settlements of payroll items.

HSAs: Everything you want to know (but were afraid to ask)

08/19/2016
The IRS has announced the 2017 inflation adjustments for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans. It’s also released a series of information letters that clarify HSAs.

Under California law, do victims of domestic violence have unique leave rights?

08/12/2016
Q. We suspect that one of our employees is a victim of domestic violence. What are the leave requirements for domestic violence victims under California law?

Same worker, different work: Can pay rate change?

08/11/2016
Q. Is it legal to pay a nonexempt employee to work at a company event at a lower hourly rate than what we typically pay her? The event is a conference where staff would be answering questions and giving out information.

Beware extra deductions from tip credits

08/11/2016

Employers are allowed to pay tipped employees less than minimum wage and take a credit for the difference through their tips. With minimum wage set at $7.25, employers may pay $2.13 per hour as long as tips make up the difference (or more). But can the employer deduct from the credit costs associated with credit card processing and calculating, cashing out and distributing the money?

In New York, changes proposed for direct deposit and paycards

08/11/2016
The New York State Department of Labor has proposed new regulations that would require employers to tell employees in detail how direct deposit and paycard payment options work.

Democratic platform calls for higher minimum wage, expanded paid leave

08/10/2016
The Democratic Party’s 2016 platform, released July 21, calls for “supporting workers through higher wages … and other investments [to] help rebuild the middle class for the 21st century.”

Pay starts to increase as labor market tightens

08/08/2016
Some of the nation’s largest employers have quietly begun implementing a business strategy that has been all but forgotten since the Great Recession ended in 2009. They’re handing out raises.

Partnerships and payroll taxes don’t mix

08/04/2016
If you administer payroll for a partnership, you have problems. Final regulations reiterate the IRS’ position on partners: You can be a partner or an employee, but you can’t be both. And, according to the regs, this remains true if a partnership owns a disregarded entity.