The Employer's Payroll Question and Answer Book (2020 Edition)
Author | : Paul E. Love |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 232 |
Release | : 2019-12-24 |
ISBN-10 | : 1650488815 |
ISBN-13 | : 9781650488813 |
Rating | : 4/5 (15 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Once upon a time payroll was pretty simple. Figure each employee's gross pay, subtract federal, state and local taxes (and possibly three or four other deductions) and write a check for the net amount. Nothing stays simple for long though -- pretty soon along came direct deposit, 401(k) plans, cafeteria plans, vehicle allowances, the Earned Income Tax Credit, garnishments, third party sick pay, paycards, and a raft of other complications.For many small companies, payroll went from taking an hour or so each pay period to a process that can consume a whole day or more. And that's just to produce the paychecks -- there are usually various files to be written and reports to be filled out as well. Unless you have an accountant or a payroll service to handle things payroll can be a very confusing, time-consuming task. For a new employer it can be frustrating just figuring out how to get started; and even employers who've been at it for a while can run into problems when new situations arise or payroll laws change.The purpose of this book is to give a quick overview of what every employer needs to know about payroll. There are a number of sources of information for employers that can provide more detailed explanations of different topics (IRS Publication 15 or "Circular E" being the most important one). Appendix A lists a few additional sources and many others can be found using internet search engines. NOTE: The information in this book deals primarily with payroll laws and practices in the United States.NOTE2: Additional material on COVID-19 legislation affecting employers added on June 25, 2020.