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Payroll

Coronavirus rescue laws reach into benefit plans

04/17/2020
Together, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (P.L. 116-136) loosen up the 401(k) rules and some rules for high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts. A new provision allows you to defray employees’ student loans.

In the Payroll Mailbag: May ’20

04/17/2020
Are direct child care payments to employees taxable? … Who pays employees’ expenses if they’re working at home?

E-pay: Options for employees during the pandemic

04/17/2020
Employees working at home during the coronavirus pandemic have had no problems getting paid if they have direct deposit or you load their pay on paycards. Employees who still opt for paper checks weren’t that lucky. With e-pay options now in the foreground, it’s time to reach out to the dwindling few who still receive paper checks.

Lock-in letters soon to get a new look

04/17/2020
Lock-in letters sent earlier this year still referred to the number of withholding allowances employees took on W-4s they refiled in response to lock-in letters. The IRS has now provided definitive instructions on what to do.

E-filing threshold may not drop in 2021

04/17/2020
The Taxpayer First Act lowers the mandatory e-filing threshold for information returns to 100 or more returns, from 250 returns, beginning with forms filed next year. The IRS, on the other hand, is much more equivocal.

Disaster planning: Ideas for Payroll & HR

04/17/2020
The coronavirus pandemic is just one disaster among many that could interrupt your business. There will be others. HR and Payroll need to work together to ensure the continuity of the business during interruptions. Here’s some help to get you started.

Pay, benefits adapt to coronavirus pressures

04/14/2020
Results of the “WorldatWork COVID-19 Employer Response Survey” provide a window into how organizations are addressing compensation and benefits issues.

Here’s how the Internal Revenue Code can help you out of coronavirus-related jams

04/09/2020
Don’t be completely afraid of the Internal Revenue Code. There are provisions that can help you and your employees out.

CARES Act offers 2 more employer-relief measures

04/09/2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, signed March 27, is best known for providing a $2 trillion stimulus jolt to a coronavirus-stunned economy. However, the CARES Act also contains two provisions intended to help employers keep from having to lay off employees.

IRS/DOL FAQs cover COVID-19 documentation

04/08/2020
Employees could begin taking paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on April 1. Which means you could begin filing Form 7200 to get an advance on your paid leave tax credits or you could begin reducing your tax deposits to pay for leave. But all of this needs to be backed up with documentation. And as with all things labor-related, and, especially payroll taxes, your documentation must pass muster.