Governor Deval Patrick recently signed legislation that will provide immediate relief to Massachusetts’ businesses by freezing employer contributions to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund at current levels. This new law prevents a scheduled rate hike from...
Massachusetts Releases 2011 UHI Contribution Rates
The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has released the UHI contribution rates for 2011. According to MGL c. 151A, §14G(f): There shall be a rate review board composed of the commissioner of medical assistance or his designee, the deputy director...
Massachusetts DOS Releases Opinion Letter on Classification for Workers Constructing Sidewalks
The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) issues prevailing wage schedules to cities, towns, counties, districts, authorities, and agencies of the Commonwealth for construction projects and several other types of public work. These prevailing wage...
Massachusetts DOS Releases Opinion Letter on Installation of Photovoltaic Systems (Solar Panels)
The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) issues prevailing wage schedules to cities, towns, counties, districts, authorities, and agencies of the Commonwealth for construction projects and several other types of public work. These prevailing wage...
Question of the Week: Why Don’t My Massachusetts Wages Equal My Federal Wages on My W-2?
This week’s question comes from Jordan, a company controller. For most employees in our company, the Massachusetts wages reported on the Form W-2 equal the federal wages on the Form W-2. My Massachusetts wages, however, are higher than my federal wages. Why don’t my...
Tip of the Week: Employers in Massachusetts Prohibited from Asking About Criminal History on Job Applications
Effective November 4, 2010, employers in Massachusetts are prohibited from asking about criminal history on most job applications. In some limited situations, employers will still be able to ask about criminal history on job applications. Situations in Which Employer...
Question of the Week: What is a Notice of Change in Filing Frequency?
This week’s question comes from Anne, a company president. We just received a Notice of Change in Filing Frequency from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). What is a Notice of Change in Filing Frequency? Answer: In Massachusetts, employers are required to...
Massachusetts DOS Releases Opinion Letter on University of Massachusetts – Amherst Print Shop
The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) issues prevailing wage schedules to cities, towns, counties, districts, authorities, and agencies of the Commonwealth for construction projects and several other types of public work. These prevailing wage...
Massachusetts DOS Releases Opinion Letter on Prevailing Wage Law Classification
The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) issues prevailing wage schedules to cities, towns, counties, districts, authorities, and agencies of the Commonwealth for construction projects and several other types of public work. These prevailing wage...
Massachusetts DOS Releases Opinion Letter on Prevailing Wage Law Classification
The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) issues prevailing wage schedules to cities, towns, counties, districts, authorities, and agencies of the Commonwealth for construction projects and several other types of public work. These prevailing wage...
MA Divisional of Occupational Safety Releases Updated Topical Outline of Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law
The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) issues prevailing wage schedules to cities, towns, counties, districts, authorities, and agencies of the Commonwealth for construction projects and several other types of public work. These prevailing wage...
FedEx Ground Agrees to Pay More than $3 Million to Settle Misclassification Claims
The office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley recently announced a settlement with FedEx Ground over claims that FedEx Ground misclassified drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. As a result, it was alleged that FedEx Ground underpaid...
Question of the Week: Do I Need To Withhold State Tax on Wages Paid to Non-Residents?
This week’s question comes from Aaron, a business owner. We have several employees who work in Massachusetts, but live in neighboring states. Do I need to withhold state tax on wages paid to non-residents? Answer: Massachusetts requires employers to withhold state tax...
IRS Provides Relief to Plan Sponsors in States Impacted by Storms
In Notice 2010-48, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provided administrative “relief to sponsors of defined contribution pre-approved plans (i.e., master and prototype (‘M&P’) and volume submitter (‘VS’) plans).” Notice 2010-48 extended the following from April...
Former Williams College Professor Denied COBRA Coverage Due to Gross Misconduct
An Assistant Professor in the Williams College (Williams) Political Science Department was denied continuing health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) after Williams terminated his three-year teaching contract...
Trash Disposal Company to Pay Additional $1.3 Million in Back Wages and Overtime
Allied Waste Services of Massachusetts, LLC (Allied Waste) agreed to pay $1,327,567 in additional restitution discovered during an audit required by a previous settlement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2009, Allied Waste had reached an agreement to pay...
MA Taxpayers Receive Extension of Time to File Returns and Pay Taxes
Due to the severe storms and flooding in Massachusetts beginning March 12, 2010, President Barack Obama declared the following counties a federal disaster area: Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester. Therefore, the Internal Revenue...
Massachusetts Releases 2010 Employer Contribution Rates for Unemployment Taxes
The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has released the 2010 employer contribution rates for unemployment taxes. Employers may check their rate using QUEST. Rates were determined using Schedule E, the same schedule as was used in 2009. Even though...
Massachusetts Releases 2010 UHI Contribution Rates
The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has released the UHI contribution rates for 2010. According to MGL c. 151A, §14G(f): There shall be a rate review board composed of the commissioner of medical assistance or his designee, the deputy director...
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...
QUEST Extension Expires Today
The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) previously extended the due date for quarterly filings using the new QUEST (Quality Unemployment System Transformation) program two weeks. Since February 15, 2010 was Washington’s Birthday, a federal and...
Massachusetts Releases Working Draft of TIR 09-23, Effect of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) recently released a working draft of TIR 09-23, Effect of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act or Public-Law 111-97 (the MSRRA). Under the MSSRA, spouses of military personnel who are present in or absent from a...
Massachusetts Releases Emergency Regulation on Motion Picture Production Company Withholding
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has released an emergency regulation 830 CMR 62B.2.3: Motion Picture Production Company Withholding. This regulation “establishes and explains the requirements of motion picture production companies to withhold Massachusetts...
Question of the Week: What Are the Penalties for Not Having Health Insurance in 2010?
This week’s question comes from Janine, an office manager. We are a Massachusetts employer with some employees who have chosen not to participate in the company health insurance plan. What are the penalties for not having health insurance in 2010? Answer: The...
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...
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