Payroll

What’s next after child support withholding obligation is fulfilled?

08/09/2013

Question: An employee said he fulfilled his child support obligation. The state faxed us corroborating information, but not on the federal Income Withholding Order (IWO), so withholding continues. Must states use the IWO to inform employers to stop withholding?

What are the rules for compensating nonexempts for overnight travel?

08/07/2013

Q. Several of our employees will be required to travel to another state for a seminar. What’s the rule for compensating nonexempt employees who take overnight business trips?

What’s the right way to record work shifts?

08/01/2013

Q: How do we record this work shift: Our workweek begins and ends at midnight on Sunday. An employee works eight hours Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for 40 hours, and then works an additional shift from 6:00 p.m. Saturday to 3:00 a.m. on Sunday?

August 2013: Employer’s business tax calendar

07/26/2013

NOTE: Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays as observed in the District of Columbia are taken into account to determine due dates. Under the federal deposit rules, you’re allowed a deposit shortfall of the greater of $100 or 2% of your tax liability.

You’re being audited! IRS answers 5 key questions

07/24/2013

Your payroll department won’t become audit bait if you file a Form 941-X to correct a previously filed Form 941, keep good records, file returns on time and respond to IRS notices, according to an IRS senior program analyst for employment tax policy. What does put you in the audit hot seat?

ACA regs define minimum value, clarify role of wellness programs

07/22/2013

The two key percentages you need to know to avoid free-rider penalties under the health care reform law are 60% and 9.5%. Your health plan must offer minimum value by picking up at least 40% of the cost (i.e., full-time employees can’t pay more than 60% out-of-pocket) and be affordable (i.e., employees’ premiums can’t exceed 9.5% of their household income).

While co-workers are away, take the time to get organized

07/16/2013

With colleagues away on vacation, now’s a great time for Payroll to prep for some year-end tasks and perform general payroll maintenance.

Better late than never: 2013 maximum car/SUV valuations

07/01/2013

Employers that use the standard mileage rate (56.5 cents a mile in 2013) to value employees’ personal use of company vehicles are restricted to supplying vehicles of modest value …

DOL releases model ACA notices, revises SBC template

06/30/2013

The Affordable Care Act health care reform law requires you to provide all current and new employees with a notice regarding health insurance coverage by Oct. 1, 2013. For 2014, new hires must receive notice within 14 days of their start date. The DOL also updated its FAQs and the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) template for the second year of coverage.

W-2c procrastinators never prosper: In fact, they’ll pay penalties

06/29/2013

On Aug. 1, tax penalties more than triple, from $30 to $100 per form, up to $1.5 million, for these W-2 infractions: failing to file 2012 W-2s in the first place or filing incorrect 2012 W-2s that you haven’t yet corrected.