California Payroll Report articles from January 2006

California Payroll Report archives from January 2006

Time to lower your 2006 SUI taxes is running out.
January 21, 2006... Most states give employers the option of making voluntary contributions to their state unemployment insurance (SUI) reserve account. But why would your employer be interested in paying a chunk of cash up front, in addition to the deposits of...

DOL issues first-ever final regs on USERRA.
January 21, 2006... Since September 11, 2001, approximately 530,000 citizen soldiers (members of the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves) have been mobilized, leaving their homes, their families, and their jobs to serve their country. During that same time...

2006 taxable wage bases for state unemployment insurance.
January 21, 2006... In addition to federal unemployment taxes (FUTA), most employers are also subject to state unemployment insurance (SUI or SUTA) taxes. As with the federal tax, your employer's contribution to state unemployment fund reserves is assessed as a...

New guidance addresses effect of FSA grace period on HSA eligibility.
January 21, 2006... Last year, the IRS tempered the "use it or lose it" rule of flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) by giving employers the option of extending the deadline for reimbursement of health and dependent care expenses with a grace period of up to 2...

Nonprofits can reduce their SUI expenses by reimbursing the state.
January 21, 2006... As we mentioned on page 1, voluntary contributions to your state unemployment insurance (SUI) reserve account may be a way for your employer to reduce annual SUI expenses. Of course, the effectiveness of that option depends on many...

Employee workouts may be left out of wages.
January 21, 2006... "Exercise regularly." Seems like every year that makes the Top 10 list of New Year's resolutions. And it seems like by February each year, it's made the Top 10 list of broken resolutions. But if your employer operates an on-premises gym,...

Expanded hurricane relief.(Payroll News and Views)
January 21, 2006... As hurricane after hurricane slammed the southern coastline last fall, the IRS and other federal agencies scrambled to provide special relief to individuals and businesses affected by the history-making storms. A patchwork of notices and...

Expiring exemption.(Payroll News and Views)
January 21, 2006... While a "standard" Form W-4 can, conceivably, remain in effect indefinitely (barring major changes in the employee's life or finances), a W-4 claiming exemption from withholding has a lifespan of only one year. So spread the word:...

Oregon okays estimates.(Payroll News and Views)
January 21, 2006... In our September 21, 2005, issue, we covered state rules and deadlines for payment of an employee's final wages. Now, there's good news for Oregon employers. The state has amended its final pay rules to give employers leeway when a departing...

Reopened and relocated.(Payroll News and Views)
January 21, 2006... The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) lost two district offices (in New Orleans, La., and Biloxi, Miss.) to the hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast. Two Alabama WHD offices (in Baton Rouge and Mobile) and two Mississippi...

Fad or fabulous?(Payroll News and Views)
January 21, 2006... In the months following the creation of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Treasury Secretary John Snow vigorously promoted these hybrid medical benefits as "exciting" and "innovative." Now, with 2 years of information and experience with HSAs,...

When the weather outside is frightful: you may be able to dock exempt employees' pay.
January 21, 2006... In many parts of the country, winter is a season of inclement weather that, at best, makes the commute to work hazardous and slow-going and, at worst, closes roads--and businesses. When dealing with delayed shift starts, early closings, or...

Standard mileage rate drops for 2006.
January 7, 2006... The unprecedented 8-cent spike in the standard business mileage rate for the last part of 2005 has come to an end. That was to be expected. But you may be surprised to hear that the new business mileage rate for 2006 will reflect a 4-cent...

No reporting of [section] 409A deferred comp on 2005 W-2s.
January 7, 2006... Good news! The IRS has announced that it is suspending reporting and wage withholding requirements for deferrals of compensation under [section] 409A for calendar year 2005 [Notice 2005-94, 2005-52 I.R.B. (12/27/05)]. Background. Last...

More wages, income protected from federal tax Levy in 2006.
January 7, 2006... The IRS has issued the 2006 version of Pub. 1494, the tables used for calculating the amount of salary, wages, and other income that is exempt from federal tax levy. These tables must be used by employers that receive a Form 668-W, Notice of...

Employees may need new W-4s for the new year.
January 7, 2006... It's the time of year when people take a closer look at their lives and their lifestyle, and consider making changes for the better. So it's a good time to suggest to employees that they review their Form W-4s to determine whether they need...