The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Notice 2009-27, Premium assistance for COBRA benefits. Pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 or ARRA, certain involuntarily terminated employees are eligible for employer-provided subsidies to...
IRS Updates Form 941 Instructions for COBRA Premium Assistance Reporting
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has updated its instructions for Form 941, Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return. Using the new guidance, employers are now instructed to report on line 12a “65% of the COBRA premiums for assistance eligible individuals” (AEIs)....
Question of the Week: Why Is My COBRA Credit Limited?
This week’s question comes from Rosa, a business owner. I paid over $5,000 in premiums for former employees who are eligible for the COBRA premium subsidy. The reduction in the federal tax deposit was only about $3,000. Why is my COBRA credit limited? Answer: Pursuant...
Question of the Week: What Information Do We Need to Keep to Document the COBRA Credit?
This week’s question comes from Sandy, an HR manager. We’ve just had our first employee sign up to receive the COBRA premium subsidy. What information do we need to keep to document the COBRA credit? Answer: Employers reimbursing employees for 65% of the eligible...
Question of the Week: Are Model Notices Available for the COBRA Premium Reduction?
This week’s question comes from John, an HR Director. We need to send COBRA notices to terminated employees. Are model notices available for the COBRA premium reduction? Answer: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) made changes to the Consolidated...
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...
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...
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...
Question of the Week: Should I File Form 944 Instead of Form 941?
This week’s question comes from Scott, a small business owner. I have received notification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I should file Form 944. Should I file Form 944 instead of Form 941? Answer: Employers who are notified that they should file Form...
Tip of the Week: Pay Employees in the Correct Year
Employers often question whether employees who work in one year and are paid in the next year should have the wages reported in the year the work was performed or the year the wages were paid. Generally, wages are reported based on payment date. For example, if the...
2008 Form W-2 Tips, Part 1, General Information
This is one in a continuing series on the 2008 Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, which employers must generally furnish to employees no later than February 2, 2009. Forms mailed on the due date are considered furnished if properly addressed. Employers unable to meet...
Tip of the Week: Save Time and Money with Vision Payroll’s CPA Reporting Service
Does your CPA call at year-end looking for copies of quarterly payroll reports? Don’t waste time finding them, copying them, and mailing them. Sign up now to have Vision Payroll send copies of reports to your CPA each quarter. Your CPA will appreciate always having...
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