Supreme Court blocks vaccine mandate for large employers
The Supreme Court voted 6 to 3 to block the Biden administration’s federal vaccine mandate for employers with more than 100 employees. OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) would have required workers to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus or to wear masks and be tested weekly. Employers were to have established policies to provide paid […]
Employers: Social Security wage base is increasing in 2022
The Social Security Administration recently announced that the wage base for computing Social Security tax will increase to $147,000 for 2022 (up from $142,800 for 2021). Wages and self-employment income above this threshold aren’t subject to Social Security tax. Background information The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) imposes two taxes on employers, employees and self-employed […]
The 2021 ‘Social Security wage base’ is increasing
If your small business is planning for payroll next year, be aware that the “Social Security wage base” is increasing. The Social Security Administration recently announced that the maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax will increase from $137,700 in 2020 to $142,800 in 2021. For 2021, the FICA tax rate for both employers and […]
Seniors: Can you deduct Medicare premiums?
If you’re age 65 and older, and you have basic Medicare insurance, you may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage you want. The premiums can be costly, especially if you’re married and both you and your spouse are paying them. But there may be a silver lining: You may qualify […]
Additional relief coming soon for health care providers
Health care providers could see even more relief if the $484 billion interim coronavirus relief measure is signed by President Trump. The lion’s share of the bill passed the week of April 20 is dedicated to replenishing the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) now-exhausted Paycheck Protection Program and $60 billion for disaster loans through the Economic […]
A deeper dive into the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
More details have emerged about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and how employers need to file for credits related to paying qualified sick and family leave wages or qualified wages. As you know, the FFCRA requires businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide emergency paid sick and family leave for reasons related […]
Thinking long-term about health care
Our medical needs don’t get any easier as we get older, so it is increasingly important that we take advantage of the options that are available. Fall is when open enrollment season begins for health insurance coverage, but retirees and aging Americans also can take advantage of open enrollment for Medicare plans. The open enrollment […]
Time to begin year-end payroll planning
Preparations are underway for numerous holiday events and outings, but for small business owners, other year-end activities take center stage. The following are some steps that must be taken by business owners who handle their payroll functions in-house: Have employees confirm their address and Social Security numbers. Use the Social Security Administration’s Social Security Number […]
Final responsibility for payroll taxes lies with employer
Many of our clients contract with a payroll service provider to take care of payroll tax filing responsibilities. It is important to remember, though, that the ultimate responsibility for withholding income tax and both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes lies with the business owner. While most payroll service providers […]