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Compensation & Benefits

Payroll NRP continues, S corp NRP waits in the wings

03/08/2013
The next 2,000 Forms 941 to audit as part of the IRS’ National Research Project (NRP) have been selected and all audits are open, said Faris Fink, commissioner of the IRS’ Small Business/Self-Employed Division. Fink said the Payroll NRP has shown high rates of compliance, but problems have become evident—notably, problems involving company cars.

When equipment must start up, when does work begin?

03/07/2013
Q. When our employees come in to work, they spend part of their time getting their equipment running. Do we need to compensate them for that time?

Eye care company sees the error of its pay ways

03/07/2013
Fort Worth-based Alcon Laboratories has agreed to pay $199,443 in back wages to 342 assemblers, material handlers and production technicians at its Houston facility.

No unemployment for those fired for late time sheets

03/07/2013
Make it clear that it’s essential to complete time sheets on time. Dis­cipline those who don’t follow the rules. If you have to fire time sheet ­slackers, rest assured they won’t be eligible to collect unemployment benefits on your account.

Obama’s $9 minimum wage bill unlikely to pass

03/06/2013
President Obama began a public push last month for Con­­gress to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00 per hour. Outlook: The proposal will have a tough time getting out of the House.

6th Circuit turns down IRS’ bid to rehear key SUB pay case

03/06/2013
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the IRS’ request to rehear its decision in U.S. v. Quality Stores, Inc. Having run the gamut at the appellate level, it’s likely that the IRS will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. A petition to the Supreme Court is due April 4.

Caterer to serve up $278,000 in back wages and fines

03/05/2013
Eight years after being flagged for similar violations, Long Island’s Chateau Briand catering company has been burned again for illegal pay practices.

DOL asks court to appoint fiduciary for ‘orphaned’ 401(k)

03/05/2013
When the owner of Windswept Envi­ron­mental Group died in Nov­ember 2008, he left behind more than a business. The Bay Shore company’s 401(k) retirement plan was orphaned, too, since the owner was the plan’s only fiduciary. Now the DOL has asked a court to appoint a fiduciary for the plan.

Mother Monster’s personal assistant seeks more OT pay

03/05/2013
Lady Gaga’s former personal assistant wants the flamboyant performer and cultural phenomenon to cough up another $400,000 in back overtime pay. Claiming she was on call 24/7, the assistant’s lawsuit says she should have been paid overtime for 128 hours per week in addition to her $75,000 a year salary.

‘March Madness’ payroll style: W-2c forms bounce into view

03/05/2013

While everyone else is watching college basketball’s “March Madness,” paper W-2 filers will be at their desks sorting through those forms for errors and preparing to file W-2c forms. W-2 e-filers have until April 1 to file their original W-2s with the SSA, but even this extra time won’t be enough to avoid the W-2c hook if errors are discovered after filing.