This week’s question comes from Ron, an HR director. We’ve been hearing that GINA is going to create problems for many employers. We have fifty-five employees. Will GINA cause problems for us? Answer: the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) is...
This week’s question comes from Kevin, a sole proprietor. I am forming an LLC and will be converting from a sole proprietorship to a single member LLC, but still taxed as a sole proprietor. Do I need a separate EIN for my single member LLC? Answer: As explained...
This week’s question comes from Elizabeth, a small business owner. I need to give copies of my quarterly tax returns to my CPA so I can finish my income tax return. I can’t find my copies anywhere. How can I get copies of my quarterlies? Answer: Vision Payroll offers...
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...
This week’s question comes from Rick, a business owner in Manhattan. This week’s tax liability expense was larger than normal, mostly due to the New York MTA Payroll Tax. Why do I have a big withdrawal for MTA Payroll Tax this week? As previously reported, the...
This week’s question comes from Michelle, a small business owner. I have not had to pay Massachusetts HICA tax all quarter. Now I have to pay it with the last payroll of the quarter. Why do we have to pay Massachusetts HICA tax this payroll? Answer: The Massachusetts...
This week’s question comes from Kim, a business owner. We have an employee who never shows up for work the Friday before a holiday. Can we require employees to work the day before or after a holiday? Answer: Employers may condition holiday pay on attendance, i.e.,...
This week’s question comes from Ryan, a small-business owner. We’re going to be closed next Monday for Labor Day. We have some full-time employees and some part-time employees. Do I have to pay employees for holidays? Answer: There is no requirement in the Fair Labor...
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...
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...
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...
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?...
This week’s question comes from Hillary, a restaurant manager. I know the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 last week. How does the increase in the minimum wage affect the tip credit? Answer: Under §45B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC), employers are...
This week’s question comes from Amy, an HR manager. Several of our employees have wage garnishments that are limited based on their earnings. How are wage garnishments affected by the increase in the minimum wage? Answer: A wage garnishment is when an employer,...
This week’s question comes from Marco, a small business owner in Massachusetts. I terminated an employee. He wants to get his paycheck before he leaves the building. How quickly must I pay a terminated employee? Answer: Under Massachusetts General Law (MGL) c. 149...
This week’s question comes from Norma, an HR manager. I know that students with J-1 visas are exempt from FICA tax withholding in certain circumstances. We hired a non-student with a J-1 visa. Is a non-student holding a J-1 visa exempt from FICA tax withholding?...
This week’s question comes from Ron, a payroll department manager. We have a student who works for us who holds a J-1 Visa. He says that he should not have FICA tax withheld. Is a student holding a J-1 visa exempt from FICA tax withholding? Answer: Non-resident aliens...
This week’s question comes from Debbie, a sole proprietor. I read that children under age 18 are not subject to federal employment taxes. My children are now in college and work part-time year-round. I know they are now subject to FICA taxes. Do FUTA taxes apply to...
This week’s question comes from Mark, a partner in a partnership. I’ve just been made a partner in a partnership. As an employee, I was participating in the company’s Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) plan. I’ve been told I can no longer participate. Can a partner...
This week’s question comes from Brad, a sole proprietor. My 16-year-old daughter will be out of school soon and I’d like to hire her for the summer in my sole proprietorship. Does a sole proprietor have to pay payroll taxes on children’s wages? Answer: Sole...
This week’s question comes from Will, a restaurant owner. We’ve hired several students to work for us this summer. Most of them don’t expect to owe any income tax this year. How do students claim exemption from income tax withholding? Answer: Students or others who...
This week’s question comes from Burt, an office manager. An employee filled out a Form W-4 and now is not having any federal income tax (FIT) withheld from his check. He wants to have $20 withheld each week since he thinks he’ll owe about $1,000 in FIT. How does an...
This week’s question comes from Elizabeth, a small-business owner. We just hired a part-time employee who is seventy years old. He’s already collecting social security benefits so I’m not sure if I should still withhold it from his wages. At what age does social...
This week’s question comes from Joel, an HR director. We just implemented a Health Savings Account plan at our company. We know the amounts employees can contribute for 2009. What are the 2010 Health Savings Account inflation adjustments? Answer: the Internal Revenue...
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...
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