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Compensation & Benefits

Know 6 factors that determine independent contractor status

08/11/2011

Today’s tight economy has prompted many employers to try to reduce costs—including overtime—by classifying workers as independent contractors instead of employees. That hasn’t escaped the notice of the U.S. Department of Labor, which has stepped up efforts to deter misclassification.

Worker can’t return from FMLA leave? Beware demanding repayment of health benefits

08/11/2011

It’s expensive to cover an absent employee’s health insurance premiums when he is on FMLA leave—especially if he has family coverage. How­­ever, the law requires employers to do so. What happens if the employee doesn’t return? In some cases, em­­ployers can demand reimbursement for the premiums it paid. That’s true except if the employee doesn’t come back because he or she is still sick or has to continue to care for a sick relative.

No-raise promotions: A handy tool, but beware risks of ‘title fluffing’

08/11/2011
While salary budgets are up this year—merit raises are running near 3.0% compared with 2.7% in 2010—some still-skittish employers are more likely to dole out title raises rather than extra cash. The danger: Organizations may give gratuitous no-pay promotions instead of using the practice as a selective ­reward and retention strategy.

Do child support withholding orders expire?

08/10/2011
Question: A rehired employee will soon be receiving his first paycheck. He had a child support withholding order when he terminated. Should I withhold for that order or wait for a new order?

SSNs or ITINs on W-2s?

08/10/2011
Question: What should employers do if the only ID number they have for an employee is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and not a Social Security Number (SSN)?

Regs outline IRS whistle-blowers’ rights and responsibilities

08/10/2011
It’s not exactly WikiLeaks, but Payroll administrators who are distressed over other employees’ alleged violations of the tax code can work with the IRS’ Whistleblower Office to expose tax law violators. Final regulations set some of the ground rules for cooperating with the IRS in whistle-blower investigations.

FUTA surtax expired: Now what?

08/10/2011

The 0.2% “temporary” FUTA surtax, which has been in effect since 1976, expired at the end of June. So far, Congress hasn’t introduced legislation to extend it. But if the surtax is re-enacted retroactively?

Filing False W-4s Lands Employee in Prison

08/10/2011
A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction and 21-month prison sentence of an employee who filed W-4 forms on which he falsely claimed an exemption from income tax withholding. The ruling raises the ante for tax protesters who commit W-4 fraud.

Worker lost $700: Can we make him pay it back?

08/10/2011
Q. One of our employees ran an errand for us to pick up $700 in cash. He says he lost it. Can we make him pay it back?

New HHS rules ban co-pays, deductibles for women’s health services

08/09/2011
Starting next year, employer-provided health insurance plans will have to offer a variety of women’s preventive services—such as well-woman visits, breastfeeding support, domestic violence screening, and contraception—without charging co-pays, co-insurance fees or deductibles. Find out what the new rules cover and when your health plan must comply.