Nonfarm payroll employment continued to fall sharply in February (-651,000), and the unemployment rate rose from 7.6% to 8.1%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor reported recently. Payroll employment has declined by 2.6 million in the past 4...
Question of the Week: Do We Need to Pay for Eight Hours of Work on the Third Shift Saturday Night?
This week’s question comes from Greg, a plant manager. We have a third shift that works from 11 pm to 7 am the following day. Some of the workers will work this Saturday night into Sunday. Do we need to pay for eight hours of work on the third shift Saturday night?...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for February 28, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending February 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 639,000, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 670,000. The 4-week moving average was 641,750, an increase...
Tip of the Week: IRS Releases Publication 15-T in Response to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Publication 15-T, New Wage Withholding and Advance Earned Income Credit Payment Tables (For Wages Paid Through December 2009). Publication 15-T contains revised withholding tables to implement changes mandated by the...
Employers May Request Sixty Day Extension to File Returns and Pay Taxes
According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), employers statewide directly affected by damage resulting from the drought may request up to a 60-day extension of time from EDD to file their State payroll reports and/or deposit State payroll taxes...
COBRA Credit Can Reduce Form 941 Tax Deposits
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Act) made changes to continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly known as COBRA. Employers are required to pay sixty-five percent of the premiums for...
Five Fast Facts for Employers: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and COBRA Continuation Health Coverage
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Act) made changes to continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly known as COBRA. Here are five fast facts on the changes related to employers: Employers...
Five Fast Facts for Employees: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and COBRA Continuation Health Coverage
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Act) made changes to continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly known as COBRA. Here are five fast facts on the changes related to employees: The law...
Question of the Week: How Does the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Change COBRA Continuation Health Coverage?
This week’s question comes from Doug, head of HR. I heard that the new tax law will impact employees eligible for COBRA. How does the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Act) change COBRA continuation health coverage? Answer: Under the Consolidated...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for February 21, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending February 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 667,000, an increase of 36,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 631,000. The 4-week moving average was 639,000, an increase...
Tip of the Week: Most Workers to Receive Making Work Pay Credit
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released updated withholding tables. Though they won’t be published until new Publication 15-T is made available later this week, the IRS has released Notice 1036,...
US Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letter on Exempt Status During Training Periods
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-19. 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...
US Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letter on Tip Pool Participation by Itamae-sushi and Teppanyaki Chefs
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-18. 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 Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants and the Learned Professional Exemption
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-17. 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 Latino Victim Specialist Volunteering as Reserve Police Officer
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-16. 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...
Question of the Week: Why Did Federal Income Tax Withholding Start on My Wages?
This week’s question comes from Angela, a part-time employee. I only work a few hours each month to help with school expenses. I claimed exemption from withholding when I started work last year. Yesterday’s check had federal withholding for the first time. Why did...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for February 14, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending February 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 627,000, unchanged from the previous week’s revised figure of 627,000. The 4-week moving average was 619,000, an increase of 10,500...
Tip of the Week: Determining Reasonable Accommodations
Employers must know how to provide reasonable accommodations under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and state laws they may be even more protective of workers’ rights. What are the recent changes in how...
US Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letter on Monthly Stipends to Volunteer Firefighters
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-15. 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 Volunteer Firefighters
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-14. 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 Volunteer EMTs
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-13. 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 Bonuses and Overtime Rates
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Administrator signed Opinion Letter FLSA2008-12. 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: Do I Need To File Form W-3?
This week’s question comes from Kelly, a business owner. I already gave my employees their W-2s. Do I still need to file Form W-3? Answer: Anyone required to provide a Form W-2 to an employee must file Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements. Employers may...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for February 7, 2009
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending February 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 623,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 631,000. The 4-week moving average was 607,500, an increase of...
Tip of the Week: File Form W-3 Correctly
Employers must file the 2008 Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements, on or before March 2, 2009 if filing by paper or March 31, 2009 if filing by an approved electronic means. Employers should check only one box in section b, Kind of Payer. The only...
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