The Social Security Administration announced recently that the Maximum Taxable Earnings or Social Security Wage Base would not change for 2010. Since there was no increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009,...
IRS Announces 2010 Highly Compensated Employee Limitation
In IR-2009-094, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that for 2010 the Highly Compensated Employee Limitation under §414(q)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 will remain unchanged. Non-discrimination testing in some types of retirement plans limits...
IRS Announces Adjustments to SIMPLE Plan Limits for 2010
In IR-2009-094, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced cost-of-living adjustments to the limits on SIMPLE plan contributions for 2010. The limitation for SIMPLE plans is codified in §408(p)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC). This section also...
Question of the Week: Do I Need a Separate EIN for My Single Member LLC?
This week’s question comes from Kevin, a sole proprietor. I am forming an LLC and will be converting from a sole proprietorship to a single member LLC, but still taxed as a sole proprietor. Do I need a separate EIN for my single member LLC? Answer: As explained...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for October 10, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending October 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 514,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 524,000. The 4-week moving average was 531,500, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: Institute Effective Practices and Systems for Your Hiring Process
For new employees, a smooth and efficient transition to the company can reap rewards for years to come. When it’s time to hire your next new employee, our Hiring Quick Guide will help you institute effective practices and systems for your hiring process. Learn the...
Wyoming Unemployment Wage Base to Increase to $22,800
Director Gary W. Child of the Wyoming Department of Employment has announced an increase in the taxable wage base for 2010. The wage base will increase from $21,500 for 2009 to $22,800 for 2010. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on Wyoming unemployment...
Montana Unemployment Wage Base to Increase to $26,000
Administrator Roy Mulvaney of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry has announced a 4% increase in the taxable wage base for 2010. The wage base will increase from $25,100 for 2009 to $26,000 for 2010. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on Montana...
New Mexico Unemployment Wage Base to Decrease to $20,800
Secretary Ken F. Ortiz of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions has announced a decrease in the taxable wage base for 2010. The wage base will decrease from $20,900 for 2009 to $20,800 for 2010. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on New Mexico...
Missouri Unemployment Wage Base to Increase to $13,000
Director Lawrence G. Rebman of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has announced a increase in the taxable wage base for 2010. The wage base will increase from $12,500 for 2009 to $13,000 for 2010. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions...
Question of the Week: How Can I Get Copies of My Quarterlies?
This week’s question comes from Elizabeth, a small business owner. I need to give copies of my quarterly tax returns to my CPA so I can finish my income tax return. I can’t find my copies anywhere. How can I get copies of my quarterlies? Answer: Vision Payroll offers...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for October 3, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending October 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 521,000, a decrease of 33,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 554,000. The 4-week moving average was 539,750, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: Keeping Pace with Social Media in the Workplace
According to the 2009 Deloitte LLP Ethics & Workplace Survey, “58 percent of executives agree that reputational risk and social networking should be a boardroom issue.” As employees (and employers too) increase their usage of such sites as LinkedIn, Facebook,...
US Department of Transportation Issues Updated Standard Industry Fare Level Rates
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released updated Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates which are used to value employee personal use of company aircraft. The revised rates are 25.01¢ per mile for 500 or fewer miles traveled, 19.07¢...
AS Taxpayers Receive Extension of Time to File Returns and Pay Taxes
Due to the tsunami resulting in severe storms and flooding in American Samoa on September 29, 2009, President Barack Obama declared the Territory of American Samoa a federal disaster area. Therefore, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced recently that it will...
GA Taxpayers Receive Extension of Time to File Returns and Pay Taxes
Due to severe storms and flooding in Georgia on September 18, 2009, President Barack Obama declared the following counties a federal disaster area: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding,...
Unemployment Rate Rose to 9.8 Percent in September
Nonfarm payroll employment continued to decline in September (-263,000), and the unemployment rate (9.8%) continued to trend up, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently. The largest job losses were in construction, manufacturing, retail trade, and...
Question of the Week: What Do I Need to Do to Get Ready for QUEST?
This week’s question comes from Thomas, a controller. I received a notification from the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance concerning their new QUEST program. What do I need to do to get ready for QUEST? Answer: QUEST (Quality Unemployment System...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for September 26, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending September 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 551,000, an increase of 17,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 534,000. The 4-week moving average was 548,000, a decrease...
Tip of the Week: Department of Child Support Services Releases California Child Support—A Guide for Business
The California Department of Child Support Services recently released California Child Support—A Guide for Business. This guide, available in both a web-based and pdf format, includes procedures on new hire reporting, remitting payments electronically, income...
Hawaii Announces Changes to Payroll Tax Deposit Frequency for Many Employers
In Department of Taxation Announcement No. 2009-11, the State of Hawaii recently implemented changes to the deposit frequency rules for employers paying state withholding tax. For wages paid before January 1, 2010 the current rules will remain in effect. For wages...
Columbus Day Holiday May Require Change in Processing Schedule
Monday, October 12, 2009 will be Columbus Day, a federal holiday. Although the offices of Vision Payroll will be open and payrolls will be processed, most banks will be closed in observance of the holiday. Date Paid Process Deadline 10/12/09 10/7/09 10/13/09 10/8/09...
Maine Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2009
Under Title 26, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, §664, of the Maine Revised Statutes, the minimum wage for the state of Maine will increase to $7.50 per hour effective October 1, 2009. Tip credits and occupational exemptions may apply so that a lower wage may be paid in...
IRS Releases Notice 2009-68 on Safe Harbor Explanation – Eligible Rollover Distribution
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Notice 2009-68, Safe Harbor Explanation – Eligible Rollover Distribution. Notice 2009-68 contains two safe harbor explanations that employers may use to provide recipients the written explanation of distributions...
Question of the Week: Why Do I Have a Big Withdrawal for MTA Payroll Tax This Week?
This week’s question comes from Rick, a business owner in Manhattan. This week’s tax liability expense was larger than normal, mostly due to the New York MTA Payroll Tax. Why do I have a big withdrawal for MTA Payroll Tax this week? As previously reported, the...
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