Blog

31 05, 2018

Kristy Stevenson, HR, for Independent’s Service, of Hannibal MO shares how a new time clock system reduced headaches

May 31st, 2018|Timekeeping|

We’d had our old time clocks for as long as anyone could remember, and they’d become outdated.   They couldn’t store any data, and power outages resulted in us losing hourly punches.   Not only that, but when an employee wanted to request time off, that person had to fill out a sheet and wait [...]

31 05, 2018

Supreme Court ruling adds new angle to OT Pay: Here’s help

May 31st, 2018|Overtime|

Interpretation of FLSA in employers’ favor   It’ll now be a little easier to figure out whether certain employees are exempt from OT, thanks to a recent Supreme Court decision that changes the way companies can interpret the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA).   More good news: the decision will likely give employers better footing [...]

31 05, 2018

USCIS updating E-Verify to be more user-friendly

May 31st, 2018|New hire|

Several new updates are coming to E-Verify to make it easier to use for Payroll pros.   For starters, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) just launched everify.gov, a brand-new website where companies can sign up for E-Verify or access existing accounts.   Additional changes   Future updates will streamline the case creation process in [...]

26 04, 2018

W-2 fraud detection: How latest proposed changes would affect you

April 26th, 2018|W-2s|

GAO makes recommendations to IRS for Rooting out issues   The IRS has been emphasizing the importance of preventing identity theft and fraud for quite some time now, particularly when it comes to Form W-2.   As a way to prevent fraud, the IRS has made it a priority to verify the info reported on [...]

26 04, 2018

See how a company in Ludlow VT made life easier when paying seasonal employees

April 26th, 2018|New hire, Timekeeping|

    Dian Ponto, payroll manager, Resort Asset Management LLC, Ludlow, VT writes:   We dealt with an influx of seasonal workers every year, which made payroll extremely hectic.   Between entering their info into our system and making sure they were paid on time, it was tough to juggle it all.   Plus, with [...]

19 04, 2018

Form W-2: IRS plans to expand verification code

April 19th, 2018|2018 tax changes, W-2s|

    Year-end may seem far away right now, but get ready: The IRS has just released the 2018 Form W-2.   Although there aren’t any big changes to the form just yet, there are some developments you should watch for, mostly dealing with the verification code in Box 9.   Authenticating returns   As [...]

19 04, 2018

Latest info on new employer tax credit for paid family, medical leave

April 19th, 2018|FMLA, Recordkeeping, Timekeeping|

    How companies know if they’re eligible, what to track & more   More companies are offering workers paid medical and family leave. Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, this could earn them a tax credit in the next two years.   The amount of the credit ranges from 12.5% if employees [...]

19 04, 2018

Absences & exempt employees: DOL issues key guidance on pay

April 19th, 2018|FMLA, Recordkeeping, Timekeeping|

    What’s included in Opinion Letter 2018-14   The Department of Labor (DOL) hasn’t always been clear about when you’re able to make deductions from exempt employees’ pay if they’re absent from work.   But now that the DOL has issued Opinion Letter FLSA 2018-14 on that topic, you have the guidance you need [...]

29 03, 2018

Do gift cards count as income? New tax act says….

March 29th, 2018|Recordkeeping|

    When it comes to employee achievement awards in the form of gift cards and cash, you’ve been right all along: These awards count as income and are taxable.   So say the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which finally puts this rule in writing to settle the issue.   Guidelines for awards   [...]

29 03, 2018

2018 Form W-4 is finally here: Important updates, next steps

March 29th, 2018|New hire, W-4s|

    IRS definition of ‘first date of employment’   The wait is finally over! The IRS has just issued its new Form W-4 in response to the changes made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.   Here’s a rundown of what Payroll needs to know.   Changes to boxes   For starters, you [...]