In the recently released, Working Draft Directive 09-XX, State Filing Requirements for Forms in the 1099 Series, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) proposes changes to the definition of “machine-readable form” and to the filing requirements for forms in the...
MA DOR Proposes Changes to Form W-2 Filing
In the recently released, Working Draft Directive 09-XX, Requirements for Employers Filing Year-end Withholding Information, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) proposes changes to the definition of “machine-readable form”. Employers who file fifty or more...
Question of the Week: What Are the 2010 Maximum Per Diem Rates?
This week’s question comes from Jason, an HR director. We reimburse employees using the per diem rates established by the General Services Administration. What are the 2010 maximum per diem rates? Answer: The GSA updated the maximum per diem rates for travel after...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for August 22, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending August 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 570,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 580,000. The 4-week moving average was 566,250, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: Paying Attention to Travel Time
How does the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) apply to travel time? How is weekend time handled if it combines business time and personal time? Must employees be paid for commuting if it’s done in company-owned vehicles? Learn the answers to these questions and much...
Yuba County Employers May Request 60-Day Extension
According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), employers in the county of Yuba directly affected by the damage resulting from the fire may request up to a 60-day extension of time from EDD to file their State payroll reports and/or deposit State...
Labor Day Holiday May Require Change in Processing Schedule
Monday, September 7, 2009 will be Labor Day, a federal holiday. The offices of Vision Payroll will close Friday September 4 at 5 pm EDT and re-open Tuesday September 8. Most banks will also be closed in observance of the holiday. Date Paid Process Deadline 9/7/09...
Wisconsin Releases Updated Withholding Tables
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has released a revised Publication W-166, Wisconsin Employer’s Withholding Tax Guide. Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, the top individual rate increased fifteen percent from 6.75% to 7.75%. The...
California Increases Tax Withholding Rates
As part of the recently-enacted California Assembly Bill No. 17, signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 29, 2009, the withholding rates will increase effective for wages paid after October 31, 2009. The wage withholding tables will be adjusted so that the...
Question of the Week: How Do I Know if Someone Is an Employee or Independent Contractor?
This week’s question comes from Brian. We need more help in our business. We’re not sure if the person who’ll provide us services should be considered an employee. How do I know if someone is an employee or independent contractor? Answer: In Summertime Tax Tip...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for August 15, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending August 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 576,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 561,000. The 4-week moving average was 570,000, an increase...
Tip of the Week: Fourth Quarter Interest Rates Remain Unchanged
In IR-2009-73, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that interest rates for the fourth quarter of 2009 would remain unchanged from the third quarter. The rates are as follows: Four (4) percent for overpayments [three (3) percent in the case of a corporation];...
KY Taxpayers Receive Extension of Time to File Returns and Pay Taxes
Due to severe storms, flooding and straight-line winds in Kentucky on August 4, 2009, President Barack Obama declared Jefferson County a federal disaster area. Therefore, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced recently that it will waive failure to deposit...
Santa Cruz County Employers May Request 60-Day Extension
According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), employers in the county of Santa Cruz directly affected by the damage resulting from the fire may request up to a 60-day extension of time from EDD to file their State payroll reports and/or deposit...
US Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letter on Transportation Authority Employees
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-19. 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...
IRS Provides Guidance on Tool Reimbursement Plan in PLR 200930029
In Private Letter Ruling 200930029, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruled that a taxpayer’s expense reimbursement arrangement (the Plan) satisfied the accountable plan requirements of §62(c). The taxpayer in question expanded its business to include a new division...
Question of the Week: How Much Can We Reimburse Employees for Automobile Expenses?
This weeks question comes from Barry, a business owner. We have always provided several employees with company cars. Now we plan to reimburse them for business use of their personal cars. How much can we reimburse employees for automobile expenses? Answer: As...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for August 8, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending August 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 558,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 554,000. The 4-week moving average was 565,000, an increase of...
Tip of the Week: Traditional or PTO
Although there are no federal or state laws that require an employer to pay for vacation or sick time, many employers offer these benefits as an additional enticement for employees. Employers need to consider whether they should maintain a traditional paid...
US Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letter on Mandatory Time-off for Salaried Employees
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-18. 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 Opinion Letter on On-Call Hours for Water District Employees
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-17. 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 Opinion Letter on Nine-Day, Compressed Workweek
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2009-16. 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...
Unemployment Rate Fell to 9.4 Percent in July
Nonfarm payroll employment continued to decline in July (-247,000), and the unemployment rate was little changed at 9.4%, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently. The average monthly job loss for May through July (-331,000) was about half the average...
Question of the Week: Can I Receive My Payroll Reports by E-Mail?
This week’s question comes from Daniel, a business owner. I travel frequently and don’t always makes it to the office. I need to transfer money to my payroll account and need the payroll reports to calculate the amount. Can I receive my payroll reports by e-mail?...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for August 1, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending August 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 550,000, a decrease of 38,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 588,000. The 4-week moving average was 555,250, a decrease of...
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