Payroll

Don’t let court take employee’s word on hours; keep your own time records for all staff

11/15/2013

Here’s a case that should send chills down your spine if you don’t keep meticulous records of every hour worked. A court has allowed an employee’s lawsuit to proceed based on little more than her vague allegation that she wasn’t paid overtime for hours in excess of 40 per week.

Final New York wage deduction regulations now in effect

11/14/2013

The New York State Department of Labor has published final regulations—effective Oct. 9, 2013—governing employee wage deductions under Section 193 of the Labor Law.

Don’t let holiday pay/work missteps make Payroll grumpy

11/13/2013

The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is a busy time for many companies. Questions regarding overtime, holiday pay and temporary hires often arise. You don’t have to play Scrooge this holiday season if you know the rules.

State-by-state chart on 2013 W-2 mag media/E-filing requirements

11/11/2013

States have their own W-2 e-filing thresholds and specifications. Here’s a chart summarizing those requirements. Note: Some states didn’t release their W-2 e-filing information before this article was published. To get full details, contact your state tax department.

Are iPads given to employees who attended a seminar taxable?

11/11/2013

Question: The company sent employees to a seminar. The hosting organization gave each attendee an iPad. Are the iPads company-provided gifts, which must be valued, taxed to employees and reported on their W-2 forms?

Taxable or not? What do we do about door prizes for spouses?

11/06/2013

Question: Door prizes at our wellness fair included gift cards. We know that employees who receive gift cards are taxed on those amounts, but what about spouses—are gift cards taxable to employees and reportable on their W-2s if their spouses win prizes?

It’s about time: Fall back!

11/01/2013

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour, to standard time, at 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 3.

November 2013: Employer’s business tax calendar

11/01/2013

Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays as observed in the District of Columbia are taken into account to determine due dates. Under the federal deposit rules, you’re allowed a deposit shortfall of the greater of $100 or 2% of your tax liability.

FICA wage base, retirement contribution limits increase for 2014

10/30/2013

Uncle Sam has released new cost-of-living adjustments affecting Social Security tax withholding and retirement plans for 2014.

1099s: W-2s’ poor relation, but just as demanding

10/24/2013

Many Payroll departments get hit with the double whammy of having to prepare Forms 1099-MISC for the company’s independent contractors, in addition to employees’ W-2s. Reminder: If you file 250 or more 1099-MISC forms you must file them electronically through the IRS’ FIRE system.