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Compensation & Benefits

The OT clock is ticking: Will you be ready for the new rule by July 1?

05/20/2024
Some employers are responding to the U.S. Department of Labor’s new white-collar overtime salary threshold rule by reclassifying some exempt employees into overtime-eligible nonexempts. In other cases, they’re planning to avoid additional overtime by raising pay above the new salary threshold. How far along are you? You now have just over one month to comply with the Department of Labor’s new rules, which take effect July 1. Here’s what you need to do now.

Avoid the wage-and-hour mistake that just cost an employer $229 million

05/17/2024
A jury recently reminded a Washington state employer that rounding time in a way that deprives employees of pay—even if it’s just pennies—can trigger a class-action lawsuit with a huge payout.

Add support benefits for employees diagnosed with early-onset cancer

05/15/2024
It’s more likely than ever that some of your employees may be diagnosed with cancer. Employers can provide invaluable support to employees who receive the terrifying news that they have cancer.

Food for thought: What can health FSAs reimburse for?

05/15/2024
Some aggressive marketers say employees’ food bills can be reimbursed tax-free through their health flexible spending accounts. The IRS says no.

In the Payroll Mailbag: June ’24

05/15/2024
Are old laptops given to employees for their personal use taxable? … Must we tax employees who bring spouses to a company event?

Too hot to handle: Teen labor & summer jobs

05/15/2024
Wage-and-hour enforcement is a delicate balance between federal and state law. Federal law always overrides state law when it provides more protection to employees, like teens working longer hours than the Fair Labor Standards Act allows, or in jobs prohibited by the FLSA’s hot-goods provision. It’s wise to keep this interplay in mind if you’ll be hiring teens this summer.

I now pronounce you married filing jointly

05/15/2024
June weddings may bring unintended problems with the Social Security Administration. Newlyweds who change their names or couples who hyphenate their names must get new Social Security cards with their new names.

Hire first, then ask the IRS about the worker’s status

05/15/2024
So far, lawsuits have not been able to stop the Department of Labor’s new regulations on workers’ status as employees or independent contractors. The IRS, arguably the more powerful agency, also has a lot to say about workers’ status, and it recently announced it won’t say anything before a worker is hired.

You’re in the Army now

05/15/2024
Employees who are in the National Guard and Reserves usually serve their two weeks during the summer. Others may be called away suddenly to clean up the remnants of a natural disaster. Here’s what you need to know to plan accordingly.

Taxpayer can’t prove timely filing with unapproved PDS

05/15/2024
You can e-file your Tax Court petition, take your chances by dropping it in the mail or use a private delivery service, like FedEx. But if you choose a PDS, you must be sure it’s on the IRS’ list of approved services. A taxpayer who wasn’t so careful had his petition bounced out of Tax Court and was unable to contest his tax deficiency.