Payroll departments should note that the subsidy for continuing health insurance coverage for laid-off employees, and the associated payroll tax credit,  implemented under the federal economic stimulus law will end Aug. 31, 2011. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, eligible individuals, defined generally as people involuntarily terminated from their jobs due to the [...]

According to a Labor Department analysis, 27 states currently have about $40 billion in outstanding federal loans in order to meet cash flow needs to cover unemployment benefits. (As you know, unemployment benefits have been extended up to 99 weeks in previous Congressional action.) As a result, in at least 22 of those states, employers [...]

Payroll depts. working with restaurants need to note that the Internal Revenue Service announced Aug 8 that the five-year Attributed Tip Income Program (ATIP) will end Dec. 31, 2011. ATIP is a voluntary tip-reporting pilot arrangement for food and beverage employees that, the IRS noted, did not attract many participants. The IRS said that employers who elected to participate with [...]

Because payroll departments are often designated to administer employee travel expenses, payroll administrators need to take note that on July 19, 2011 the IRS issued formal advice informing taxpayers and preparers that they intend to discontinue the use of the High-Low per diem method for substantiating lodging, meal and other incidental expenses that individuals incur during business [...]