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Returning Value Blog

Consider the Best Payroll Method

Posted by Amber Cochran on Feb 21, 2024

The ways to pay employees — especially as money continues moving into the digital sphere — have proliferated. You have options. Choose the one that best fits your business. You may want to peruse the different methods to see which makes the most sense for your business in terms of costs and employer responsibilities.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

Should Your Business Offer the New Emergency Savings Accounts to Employees?

Posted by Amber Cochran on Jan 23, 2024

As part of the SECURE 2.0 law, there’s a new benefit option for employees facing emergencies. It’s called a pension-linked emergency savings account (PLESA), and the provision authorizing it became effective for plan years beginning January 1, 2024. The IRS recently released guidance about the accounts (in Notice 2024-22), and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published some frequently asked questions to help employers, plan sponsors, participants, and others understand them.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

Form I-9 Basics

Posted by Amber Cochran on Dec 13, 2023

Form I-9 has been modernized, allowing E-Verify employers to remotely examine I-9 documents. All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 for everyone hired — citizens and noncitizens alike.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

DOL Proposes Increase to Salary Threshold Amounts

Posted by Amber Cochran on Nov 08, 2023

On August 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a proposal to raise the minimum weekly salary. 

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

How to Create a Raise Policy

Posted by Amber Cochran on Nov 03, 2023

In most cases, employees anticipate receiving a raise after working a certain amount of time at your firm — usually six months to a year. Top performers who consistently exceed expectations expect to be paid a salary that reflects their hard work and level of responsibility. You look to offer competitive compensation to retain your best workers.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

Taxable and Nontaxable Employee Benefits

Posted by Amber Cochran on Sep 15, 2023

As the unemployment rate falls from its 2020 high, employees are switching jobs in record numbers. The new stability in the economy means workers have more leeway to shop around for jobs that fit their lifestyles, needs, and values. Now, the onus is on employers to provide an environment that makes their star team members want to stay and also attracts new talent. Part of that equation is providing a great benefits package. But if you're one of the many employers expanding their benefits, how do you pay taxes on your new programs?

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

Know Your Employee Injury Responsibilities

Posted by Amber Cochran on Aug 10, 2023

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes employee injuries very seriously and requires companies to submit injury data. The requirements are complex, and you may want to work with experts in this field, depending on the kind of business you run.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

Your Tax Obligations as an Employer

Posted by Amber Cochran on Aug 04, 2023

You need time and energy to run and grow your business, so you've outsourced your payroll process. You decided to go with a third-party payroll provider to handle some or all of your employment tax duties.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

Are You Ready for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act?

Posted by Amber Cochran on Jul 19, 2023

On Dec. 29, President Joe Biden signed the PWFA, to become effective on June 27. Like many laws, the text can be complex, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has provided a summary of the key provisions.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

DOL Regulations on Tip Sharing

Posted by Amber Cochran on Jun 06, 2023

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers with tipped workers can take a "tip credit," which allows them to pay tipped workers less than the federal minimum wage if the employees' tips make up the difference.

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Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

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