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Compensation & Benefits

Almost 10 million lost health benefits in just one month

04/21/2020
An estimated 9.2 million workers probably lost their employer-provided health insurance in the four weeks between March 15 and April 15, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute,

Coronavirus rescue laws reach into benefit plans

04/17/2020
Together, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (P.L. 116-136) loosen up the 401(k) rules and some rules for high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts. A new provision allows you to defray employees’ student loans.

In the Payroll Mailbag: May ’20

04/17/2020
Are direct child care payments to employees taxable? … Who pays employees’ expenses if they’re working at home?

E-pay: Options for employees during the pandemic

04/17/2020
Employees working at home during the coronavirus pandemic have had no problems getting paid if they have direct deposit or you load their pay on paycards. Employees who still opt for paper checks weren’t that lucky. With e-pay options now in the foreground, it’s time to reach out to the dwindling few who still receive paper checks.

Lock-in letters soon to get a new look

04/17/2020
Lock-in letters sent earlier this year still referred to the number of withholding allowances employees took on W-4s they refiled in response to lock-in letters. The IRS has now provided definitive instructions on what to do.

E-filing threshold may not drop in 2021

04/17/2020
The Taxpayer First Act lowers the mandatory e-filing threshold for information returns to 100 or more returns, from 250 returns, beginning with forms filed next year. The IRS, on the other hand, is much more equivocal.

Disaster planning: Ideas for Payroll & HR

04/17/2020
The coronavirus pandemic is just one disaster among many that could interrupt your business. There will be others. HR and Payroll need to work together to ensure the continuity of the business during interruptions. Here’s some help to get you started.

Pay, benefits adapt to coronavirus pressures

04/14/2020
Results of the “WorldatWork COVID-19 Employer Response Survey” provide a window into how organizations are addressing compensation and benefits issues.

Here’s how the Internal Revenue Code can help you out of coronavirus-related jams

04/09/2020
Don’t be completely afraid of the Internal Revenue Code. There are provisions that can help you and your employees out.

Forecast: 2021 health insurance costs to spike

04/09/2020
Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care industry experts are already talking about significant increases in health insurance costs for 2021.