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Compensation & Benefits

Defrauded payroll clients out $28 million

11/21/2015
The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down an appeal brought by the trustee of a bankrupt payroll service bureau who sought the return of $28 million, which the service bureau collected from its clients as payroll deposits, but which its principals stole. These clients now have no recovery and may have to pay the IRS again for the taxes the service bureau should have deposited.

ACA transition relief ending for midsize employers

11/18/2015
Employers with more than 50, but fewer than 100, full-time employees during 2014 didn’t have to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s play-or-pay provisions this year, although they must still file Forms 1095-C and 1094-C. This transition relief ends Dec. 31, 2015. Beginning with the 2016 plan year (next month for calendar year plans), these employers are fully covered under the law. Ensure that these critical actions have been taken before the end of the month. If you’re missing an action item, do it now.

Home health care workers covered under the FLSA

11/18/2015
The D.C. Circuit has ruled that the Department of Labor had the authority to issue regulations that require staffing agencies and other third-party employers to pay minimum wages and overtime to home health care workers.

Take these 3 steps now to bulletproof your W-2s

11/18/2015
In the hustle and bustle of year-end, even seasoned pros can overlook critical items. But you overlook W-2 formatting and filing errors at your peril.

Download this chart of W-2 e-filing thresholds and specifications

11/18/2015
Each state has its own W-2 e-filing thresholds and specifications. This chart summarizes those requirements.

It’s crunch time for new health information reporting mandates

11/17/2015
For many employers, their most direct contact with the Afford­­able Care Act arrives this winter. Employ­­ers with 50 or more full-time-equivalent workers in 2015 must report to the IRS their offer of minimum essential and affordable health insurance to employees. Here are the details.

Holiday scheduling for 2016: Compare your closing plans with other employers

11/17/2015
Does your organization close down for President’s Day? How about Good Friday or the day after Thanksgiving? To compare your holiday closing plans with those of other U.S. employers on various religious and secular holidays, review the findings of a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) …

Bulletproof your W-2s; fines for mistakes nearly double

11/17/2015
Beginning with forms filed next year, penalties for failing to file timely informational forms like W-2s and 1099s are nearly doubling in many instances.

Crashing through the snow in a two-ton SUV: The payroll headaches caused by winter weather

11/16/2015
Winter presents unique challenges to the non-SUV-owning public, who become absolutely mortified when a glance in the rear view mirror reveals one of those behemoths staring down their bumpers. It’s equally challenging for Payroll to construct viable pay policies when employees leave early, arrive late or just bag it due to snow or other weather emergencies.

Get the scoop on holiday pay

11/16/2015
It’s only natural that questions regarding overtime and holiday pay arise this time of year. Here are the eight key rules you need to know to make this holiday season run smoothly.