This week’s question comes from Tony, a restaurant owner. I read that restaurants should obtain a signed tip credit notice from all tipped employees. What is the impact of not providing a tip credit notice? Answer: Employers who do not provide a tip credit notice are...
Question of the Week: Can Camp Costs Be Reimbursed Under a Dependent Care FSA?
This week’s question comes from Casey, an HR director. We have a dependent care flexible spending arrangement (FSA) and one of our employees has asked to be reimbursed for camp costs paid for her son. Can camp costs be reimbursed under a dependent care FSA? Answer:...
Question of the Week: How Do We Conduct Workplace Investigations?
This week’s question comes from David, an HR Director. One of our department managers received a complaint from an employee that we need to investigate. How do we conduct workplace investigations? Answer: The Workplace Investigations Guide can help employers through...
Question of the Week: Have the Expanded Form 1099 Reporting Requirements Been Repealed?
This week’s question comes from Lindsay, an office manager. I read before that businesses were going to have expanded Form 1099-MISC reporting requirements starting in 2012. Now I’ve heard that these requirements may have been repealed. Have the expanded Form 1099...
Question of the Week: How Can We Track Employee Training?
This week’s question comes from James, an HR director. We need to track training for multiple employees. How can we track employee training? Answer: The Employee Training Log is a simple way to stay organized when it comes to tracking employee (including management)...
Question of the Week: What Is the Impact of Final ADAAA Regulations?
This week’s question comes from Frank, a company controller. I heard that the EEOC published its final regulations concerning the ADAAA. What is the impact of the final ADAAA regulations? Answer: The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued final...
Question of the Week: What Is the Impact of New ADA Accessibility Regulations?
This week’s question comes from Colton, an HR manager. I know that the new ADA regulations took effect recently. What is the impact of new ADA accessibility regulations? Answer: Effective March 15, 2011, the US Department of Justice’s Final Rule revised and expanded...
Question of the Week: What Is the Solvency Assessment in Massachusetts?
This week’s question comes from Stan, an HR manager. We just received our Notice of Employers Unemployment Insurance Contribution Rate Statement of Account Balance from the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). A solvency assessment was subtracted...
Question of the Week: Do We Need to Pay for Eight Hours of Work Because of the Switch to Daylight Saving Time?
This week’s question comes from Charlie, a manufacturing 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 because of the...
Question of the Week: What Is a Taxable Wage Base?
This week’s question comes from April, an office manager. I’ve read that the taxable wage base has increased in New Hampshire for 2011, but I’m not sure of the impact. What is a taxable wage base? Answer: The taxable wage base is the amount of income that will be...
Question of the Week: What Are the Updated Standard Industry Fare Level Rates?
This week’s question comes from Trevor, a company president. Some of our employees use our company aircraft for personal purposes. We need to value this and include it income for those employees. What are the updated Standard Industry Fare Level Rates? Answer: The...
Question of the Week: Why Did an Employee Receive an Error Message Trying to Logon To VisionPayroll.com?
This week’s question comes from Jennifer, an office manager. One of the users in our company tried to login using the new multi-factor authentication and received an error message. Why did an employee receive an error message trying to logon to VisionPayroll.com?...
Question of the Week: Why Did My Withholding Increase on My Pension?
This week’s question comes from Myrtle, a retired bookkeeper. I thought the income tax cuts were extended, but now the federal income tax withholding on my pension has increased. Why did my withholding Increase on my pension? Answer: The Internal Revenue Service...
Question of the Week: When Will the 2011 Publication 1494 Be Released?
This week’s question comes from Christina, an HR director. We use Publication 1494 to determine the amount of wages exempt from levy. Publication 1494 is usually available in December for the following year. When will the 2011 Publication 1494 be released? Answer:...
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...
Question of the Week: How Do I Reconcile My W-2 to My Last Pay Stub?
This week’s question comes from Brenda, a company executive vice-president. I compared my Form W-2 to my last pay stub and there are differences between the amounts listed on the Form W-2 and the amounts on my last pay stub. How do I reconcile my W-2 to my last pay...
Question of the Week: What Are 10 Hot Items for Payroll in 2011?
This week’s question comes from Seth, a company controller. It seems as if there are many changes in payroll recently. What are 10 hot items for payroll in 2011? Answer: The payroll industry and payroll departments have seen many changes as Congress uses the payroll...
Question of the Week: Why Did My Federal Income Tax Withholding Go Up in 2011?
This week’s question comes from Gabrielle, an office manager. I noticed that my federal income tax withholding increased for my first check of 2011 as compared to my last check of 2010. Several of my co-workers noticed the same thing. I thought the tax cuts were...
Question of the Week: What Is the Monthly Limit on the Value of Qualified Transportation Benefits?
This week’s question comes from Steve, an HR director. We provide transportation benefits to our employers. In 2010, we could exclude $230 per month for most qualified transportation benefits. What is the monthly limit on the value of qualified transportation...
Question of the Week: What is the Maximum Amount of Social Security Withholding Tax for 2011?
This week’s question comes from Adrienne, a sales manager. I normally earn in excess of the FICA limit ($106,800 in 2010 and 2011). I know the social security withholding rate has been reduced for 2011. What is the maximum amount of social security withholding tax...
Question of the Week: How Does the 2010 Tax Act Affect Payroll Taxes in 2011?
This week’s question comes from Matt, a company president. I know the tax bill has passed the Senate and House and that President Obama has signed it. How does the new tax bill affect payroll taxes in 2011? Answer: The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance...
Question of the Week: Why Did I Receive a Notice About Federal Tax Deposit Coupons?
This week’s question comes from Carl, a corporate controller. I received a notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about Federal Tax Deposit coupons titled, You can no longer make required deposits using Form 8109/8109-B. Why did I receive a notice about...
Question of the Week: Where Can I Find Due Dates for Tax Payments and Filings?
This week’s question comes from Julian, a sole-proprietor. After being laid-off from my job, I have decided to open my own business as a sole proprietor. Where can I find due dates for tax payments and filings? Answer: Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)...
Question of the Week: Do We Need to Respond To a CP 213 Notice on an Amended Form 5500?
This week’s question comes from Roy, a company controller. We received a CP 213 Notice on a Form 5500. The notice requests missing information, but that missing information was supplied with an amended Form 5500. Do we need to respond to a CP 213 notice on an amended...
Question of the Week: Are There Any Other Credit Reduction States for 2010?
This week’s question comes from Peter, a company controller. I read that Michigan is a credit reduction state for 2010. Are there any other credit reduction states for 2010? Answer: Federal law provides for a reduction in the FUTA tax credit when a state has...
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