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Compensation & Benefits

HEXs and SHOPs: Welcome to the new world of health benefits

06/13/2013
Under the Affordable Care Act, open enrollment for the individual health exchanges, or HEXs, begins Oct. 1, 2013. The outlook for the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOPs, through which small employers may buy health insurance is a bit more complicated. Here’s where things stand.

How should we calculate withholding on executive bonuses?

06/13/2013
Question: What are the tax guidelines for executive bonuses payments? I need to calculate the withholding on them manually.

DOL issues revised model COBRA notice

06/12/2013
The DOL last month published an updated version of its model COBRA election notice, as well as model notices that employers can use to tell employees about their options for buying health insurance through the new state exchanges.

New wellness rules allow premium incentives

06/11/2013
Employers will be able to offer rich incentives for employees to participate in workplace wellness programs under final rules issued May 29 by the Obama administration.

IRS issues more guidance, FAQs on VCSP

06/11/2013
Under the IRS’ Voluntary Classification Settlement Program, you can voluntarily reclassify independent contractors as employees for future tax periods on favorable tax terms: you’ll be liable for just over 10% of the wages paid to those reclassified workers for the past year and no penalties or interest will be due. Recently updated FAQs shed more light on this program.

6 key ACA terms benefits pros must know

06/10/2013
There’s lots of new lingo built into the Affordable Care Act. Understanding what these six terms mean can help you make better decisions about the health benefits you offer.

Status of States’ Positions on HEXs/SHOPs and Medicaid

06/10/2013

Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals will be able to buy health insurance ­policies through individual health exchanges (HEXs). States may create their own HEXs, and may create SHOPs (Small Business Health Options Program). This chart summarizes the states’ current positions on HEXs, SHOPs and whether they will expand their Medicaid rolls.

Payroll takes a star turn in the Lone Star State

06/09/2013
Anita Bartels, senior program analyst for employment tax policy at the IRS, spoke about the IRS’ latest initiatives to attendees at the American Payroll Association’s 31st Annual Congress, held this year in Grapevine, Texas.

After tech ‘buyout’ what are our FICA/FUTA obligations?

06/08/2013
Q: We purchased some technology from another company and the deal included the transfer of some employees. Since we didn’t buy the entire company, can Payroll carry over their FICA and FUTA wages?

New pay on the way: Update on New York wage-and-hour law

06/07/2013
Get ready, New York ­employers. New developments will affect how and how much you pay your employees. The state minimum wage will soon increase and the NYSDOL has proposed new regulations on wage deductions.