Many small businesses struggle to determine whether or not non-compete agreements are worthwhile to use. Such agreements are employment contracts designed to restrict an employee’s right to start a competing business across the street or to take your clients, other...
Tip of the Week: First Quarter Interest Rates Decrease
In IR-2010-120, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that interest rates for the first quarter of 2011 would decrease from the fourth quarter. The rates are as follows: Three (3) percent for overpayments [two (2) percent in the case of a corporation]; Three...
Tip of the Week: IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate to 51 Cents per Mile
The standard mileage rates for the use of automobiles beginning January 1, 2011 will be 51 cents per mile for business miles driven and 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes the Internal Revenue Service announced in Revenue Procedure 2010-51 and News...
Tip of the Week: IRS Releases 2010 Form 944
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the 2010 Form 944, Employer’s ANNUAL Federal Tax Return, and related instructions. Form 944 is designed so the smallest employers (those whose annual liability for social security, Medicare, and withheld federal income...
Tip of the Week: EBSA Announces Hearing on Reasonable Contracts or Arrangements for Welfare Benefit Plans Under Section 408(b)(2)
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)has given notice that it will hold a hearing to consider issues relating to the disclosure of fee, conflict of interest and other information by service providers to group health, disability, severance and other...
Tip of the Week: Bulletproofing Your Company Employee Handbook
A clear, well-written company employee handbook is crucial to your business. Look closely at your company practices and make sure you have at least the minimum crucial types of policies in place to communicate to your employees and protect your business. Three...
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...
Tip of the Week: Technologies to Improve Remote Workforce Communications
Technological advances have evolved to help employers enhance their operations, become more cost-efficient, and become more engaged with their workers. If you employ a remote workforce, technology is often crucial to bridging any communication lag. Accessible...
Tip of the Week: 5 Tips on Working with Remote Workers
Hiring remote workers has grown more common and can provide significant benefits for many businesses. Understanding how to manage your employees during this workforce trend is crucial in maintaining top talent and keeping your business competitive. 5 Tips on Working...
Tip of the Week: Certain Puerto Rico Birth Certificates No Longer Valid for Form I-9 Purposes
On July 1, 2010, the Vital Statistics Office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico began issuing new, more secure certified copies of birth certificates to US citizens born in Puerto Rico because of a new Puerto Rico birth certificate law. As of September 30, 2010,...
Tip of the Week: IRS Delays Health Care Reporting Requirement on Form W-2
In Notice 2010-69, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the reporting of the cost of coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan on Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, would not be mandatory for 2011 Forms W-2. Additional Time Is Needed to Make...
Tip of the Week: The Implications of Wage and Hour Audits for Employers
Recently, the Wage & Hour Division (WHD) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) has increased its enforcement and audit efforts with employers. The WHD wants to ensure workers are fairly paid and employers uphold the law. Unfortunately, businesses that have violated...
Tip of the Week: New Online Return-to-Work Toolkit Now Available
An organization’s workforce is its most valuable asset. And when an employee can’t work due to illness or injury, it impacts not only an organization’s productivity, but also its morale. The Return-to-Work Toolkit Provides Valuable Resources The Office of Disability...
Tip of the Week: Defending Your Business with EEO Training
According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), in 2009, more than 93,000 workplace discrimination charges were filed nationwide, the second highest level ever. Race and Sex Charges Remain Most Common Charges Race and sex charges were the most...
Tip of the Week: Plan, Prevent, Protect—Sooner Better than Later
In its spring 2010 Regulatory Agenda, the US Department of Labor (DOL) had issued a new regulatory and enforcement strategy for all businesses referred to as “Plan/Prevent/Protect.” While the specifics of program are still being defined, the new program involves the...
Tip of the Week: Reporting Health Insurance Costs on Form W-2 Does not Affect Taxability
Many employers are aware of the new requirement under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), soon to be implemented, that an employer’s health insurance costs be included on an employee’s Form W-2. Reporting Health Care Costs on Form W-2 Does NOT Make...
Tip of the Week: Fourth Quarter Interest Rates Remain Unchanged
In IR-2010-090, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that interest rates for the fourth quarter of 2010 would remain unchanged from the third quarter. The rates are as follows: Four (4) percent for overpayments [three (3) percent in the case of a corporation];...
Tip of the Week: Employee Texting and Workplace Privacy
The issue of an employee’s privacy rights and an employer’s workplace monitoring of electronic communications have gained the attention of the US Supreme Court and recently led to a key decision that favors employers. In City of Ontario, et al. v. Quon, et al., 560 US...
Tip of the Week: US Department of Transportation Issues Updated Standard Industry Fare Level Rates
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released updated Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates which are used to value employee personal use of company aircraft. The revised rates are 22.43¢ per mile for 500 or fewer miles traveled, 17.10¢...
Tip of the Week: Controlling Your Employee Turnover Costs
Excessive or avoidable employee turnover results in a waste of time, resources, and added costs. While it can depend on the industry and business cycles, the impact is often especially hard on small businesses. Understanding what goes into the turnover costs and...
Tip of the Week: IRS Provides Six Tax Tips for New Business Owners
Starting a new business can be an exciting and challenging time. Writing a business plan, picking a name, deciding how to finance, choosing a location, hiring your employees, and many more decisions can be stressful for entrepreneurs. If you’re starting a new...
Tip of the Week: English Language in the Workplace
While many employers have implemented English-only workplace policies, employers need to apply their rules appropriately in ways that avoid unfair discrimination claims. Tennessee has enacted a new state law authorizing employers to impose an English-only workplace...
Tip of the Week: IRS Releases Information Letter on Employer-provided Transportation Benefits
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Information Letter 2010-0146, which answers “several questions about the tax consequences of certain employer-provided transportation benefits.” Among the issues the IRS addressed are the ability to perform, and the...
Tip of the Week: DOL Eyeing Employers’ Internship Programs
Continuing to face a slow economy, many small businesses have tightened their budgets while many students (as well as individuals considering new careers) may look towards internships to gain experience for little or no pay. The US Department of Labor (DOL), however,...
Tip of the Week: Flooding Disables GA Online Tax Systems
On June 6, 2010, overheated computer equipment activated a sprinkler system that flooded four floors in the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) headquarters. As a result, the online system was disabled and ground floor customer service was shut down. According to...
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