According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending March 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 457,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 462,000. The 4-week moving average was 471,250, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: Jobs Bill to Provide Tax Relief to Employers
HR 2847, An Act making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes, was passed by Congress and sent to President Barack Obama who indicated he will...
Oregon Updates 2010 Withholding Requirements for Measure 66
The Oregon Department of Revenue has completed its analysis of the changes required by the passage of Measure 66. For employees with wages less than $125,000, the Oregon Withholding Tax Tables dated January 1, 2007 remain in effect. For employees with wages of...
South Dakota Increases Taxable Wage Base Through 2015
South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds recently signed SB 186, which increases the taxable wage base from $10,000 in 2010, to $11,000 in 2011, $12,000 in 2012, $13,000 in 2013, $14,000 in 2014, and $15,000 in 2015. The surcharge was reduced from 1.5% to 1.0% in 2010 and to...
Hawai’i Reduces Taxable Wage Base from $38,800 to $34,900
Governor Linda Lingle signed into law HB 2169 that lowers the taxable wage base for 2010 from $38,800 to $34,900 or 90% of the average annual wage for 2010 and 2011. The new law also sets the rate schedule to Schedule D for 2010 and Schedule F for 2011. Vision Payroll...
Fair Labor Standards Act Does Not Require Pay for Hour Not Worked Due to Switch to Daylight Saving Time
Since Daylight Saving Time begins in most parts of the country at 2 am, Sunday, March 14, 2010, many workers on a third shift will only work seven hours. At 2 am on that day, clocks are turned ahead to 3 am. The Fair Labor Standards Act does not require employers to...
Question of the Week: What Do We Need to Provide Vision Payroll to Get the COBRA Subsidy Credit?
This week’s question comes from James, a company controller. We have employees who are eligible for the COBRA subsidy credit. We receive a credit on Form 941 for the subsidy we provide employees. What do we need to provide Vision Payroll to get the COBRA subsidy...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for March 6, 2010
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending March 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 462,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 468,000. The 4-week moving average was 475,500, an increase of...
Tip of the Week: Making Employees Pay for Damaged Company Property
Many employers have real concerns about avoidable expenses resulting from employee damage to company property. Some employers have specific policies requiring employees to reimburse for the damages often in the form of payroll deductions or a deduction from the...
Massachusetts Freezes Unemployment Tax Rate Schedule
Under recently enacted legislation, contribution rates for Massachusetts employers will remain at Schedule E for 2010. Based on the low level of reserves in the fund, previous law would have required an automatic shift to Schedule G. Contact Vision Payroll if you have...
Florida Delays Increase in Wage Base to 2012
Florida Governor Charlie Crist has signed a bill to delay the increase in the unemployment wage base until 2012. Originally, the wage base was to increase from $7,000 to $8,500 in 2010. The new law also adjusts tax rate calculations through 2011 and provides for...
IRS To Honor Medical Resident FICA Refund Claims
In IR-2010-025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that it “has made an administrative determination to accept the position that medical residents are excepted from FICA taxes based on the student exception for tax periods ending before April 1, 2005, when...
Unemployment Rate Steady at 9.7 Percent in February
Nonfarm payroll employment was little changed (-36,000) in February, and the unemployment rate held at 9.7%, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently. Employment fell in construction and information, while temporary help services added jobs. Severe winter...
Question of the Week: Has the COBRA Premium Subsidy Been Extended
This week’s question comes from Dawn, an HR manager. We are terminating someone today. I thought the COBRA subsidy expired at the end of February. Now I hear that it’s been extended again. Has the COBRA premium subsidy been extended? Answer: On Tuesday, President...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for February 27, 2010
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending February 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 469,000, a decrease of 29,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 498,000. The 4-week moving average was 470,750, a decrease...
Tip of the Week: Second Quarter Interest Rates Remain Unchanged
In IR-2010-022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that interest rates for the second quarter of 2010 would remain unchanged from the first quarter. The rates are as follows: Four (4) percent for overpayments [three (3) percent in the case of a corporation];...
US Department of Labor Issues and Withdraws Opinion Letter on Exempt Status of Client Service Managers
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-26. Although Opinion Letters only apply to the exact set of facts and circumstances presented in each case, they are a valuable aid in understanding current interpretations...
US Department of Labor Issues and Withdraws Opinion Letter on Salary Deductions from Exempt Registered Nurse
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-25. Although Opinion Letters only apply to the exact set of facts and circumstances presented in each case, they are a valuable aid in understanding current interpretations...
US Department of Labor Issues and Withdraws Opinion Letter on Overtime Pay for Employees with Fluctuating Workweeks
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-24. Although Opinion Letters only apply to the exact set of facts and circumstances presented in each case, they are a valuable aid in understanding current interpretations...
US Department of Labor Issues and Withdraws Opinion Letter on Tipped Employees
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-23. Although Opinion Letters only apply to the exact set of facts and circumstances presented in each case, they are a valuable aid in understanding current interpretations...
Question of the Week: What Should We Do with a Returned Form W-2?
This week’s question comes from Jason, an HR director. We mailed a Form W-2 to an employee who terminated employment during 2009. The Form W-2 was returned by the post office with no forwarding address. What should we do with a returned Form W-2? Answer: If the post...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for February 20, 2010
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending February 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 496,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 474,000. The 4-week moving average was 473,750, an increase...
Tip of the Week: File Form 1096 by March 1, 2010 for Most Returns
The filing deadline for 2009 Form 1096 is March 1, 2010 for most returns. The returns due on that day include Forms 1099, Form 1098, Form 3921, Form 3922, and Form W-2G. The deadline for filing Form 5498, Form 5498-ESA, and Form 5498-SA is June 1, 2010. Filers...
Department of Labor Cites Robert Ferrari, Inc. for Labor Violations at Vineland, NJ Vegetable Farm
The US Department of Labor (DOL) has announced that it has cited Robert Ferrari, Inc. for “child labor and minimum wage violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).” According to the DOL, the investigation revealed both employment of individuals under the age of...
US Department of Labor Issues and Withdraws Opinion Letter on Minimum Tip Credit
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-22. Although Opinion Letters only apply to the exact set of facts and circumstances presented in each case, they are a valuable aid in understanding current interpretations...
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