Employers Must Begin Using the New Form Jan. 1 On Dec. 5, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service released an updated version of its W-4 form, also known as the “Employee’s Withholding Certificate.” Employers use IRS Form W-4 to determine each employee’s federal tax withholdings. The new form is intended to harmonize tax withholding declarations with…
SIMA will be closed on Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1 in observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Your payroll must be processed a day earlier than normal by 12:00 pm to ensure timely processing. Is your pay date on Wednesday, December 25 or Wednesday, January 1? There will be no direct…
On September 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to make 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay. The final rule updates the earnings thresholds necessary to exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, and allows employers…
Like many businesses, you may be feeling the financial crunch these days and be tempted to use money you deduct for taxes and retirement plan contributions from employees’ wages. Failing to remit payroll taxes and retirement plan contributions in a timely manner is not only a violation of an employer’s legal obligation, it can also…
Final Rule Takes Effect Jan. 1 On Sept. 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new final rule that updates the salary thresholds that some individuals must meet in order to qualify for a minimum wage and overtime exemption under the federal Fair Labors Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule becomes effective…
Opinion Issued in Case with Doctor’s Certification Employees may take leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to attend their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, according to a recent opinion letter from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Although DOL opinion letters are specific to the facts presented, employers can look…
The federal minimum wage (FMW), currently $7.25 per hour, hasn’t increased since 2009—the longest stretch with no federal increases since 1938, when the minimum wage was created. Several presidential candidates as well as proposed House Bill H.R. 582, Raise the Wage Act, would raise the FMW. What effect would a wage increase have on wage…
IR-2019-133, July 29, 2019 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service will conduct a webinar August 1 for employers and tax professionals focusing on employment and payroll taxes. Federal law requires most employers to withhold federal income taxes from their employees’ wages. These taxes must be deposited, along with the employer and employee portion of Social…
Every employer should make preventing workplace harassment a top priority Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that may violate federal laws such Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a list of best practices…
On July 1, several states and cities changed their minimum wage rate. Click here to view the list of affected jurisdictions, including: ⦁ New Jersey ⦁ Oregon ⦁ Chicago ⦁ Cook County, IL ⦁ Washington, DC ⦁ Minneapolis ⦁ Los Angeles ⦁ San Francisco ⦁ and 9 smaller cities in California Action May Be Required:…
