The impact of the new federal health care law on workers’ compensation insurance will be a mixed bag, with some positives for the industry, a managed care expert predicts. Read More
The new health reform law did not extend COBRA eligibility or the subsidy that helped laid-off workers pay for COBRA health insurance. Here’s how they can find an affordable policy. Read More
Dear Clients,
Here is another good summary of how the Health Care Reform Act will impact your small business. Payroll Solutions Group will continue to monitor the progress of this landmark reform and provide you with guidance and advice. As your “single source” with “simple solutions” we’ll take the guesswork out of how to best cope with all these changes. As your trusted partner, our job is to simplify your needs so you can focus on what you do best and the things that drive your economic engine. Read More
Sincerely,
Howard Winters
CEO & Found
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the Seventh Circuit’s decision in Kasten v. Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (7th Cir. 2009), (pdf) in which that court held that an oral complaint of a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is not considered protected conduct under the Act’s anti-retaliation provision. Read More
Declared virtually dead a month ago, the House approved on March 21 (by a 219 to 212 vote) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590 or the “Senate Bill.” The 2,409-page Senate Bill passed in the Senate on December 24, 2009. Read More
The health overhaul package passed by the House Sunday and sent to the Senate for final action is the most far-reaching health legislation since the creation of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. What does it mean for you? Read More
Dear Americans,
We know that there is great interest in the recent Health Care Reform debate and the bill that has recently passed. We are pleased to forward to you a summary of what the new reforms will mean for you. Rest assured that as your Payroll provider and as Human Resource experts, we will be prepared to help you with these new requirements and act as a reliable partner for all your needs. Please contact us if you have any questions or needs. Read Health Care Reform Summary
Best regards,
Howard Winters
CEO & Founder
With the release of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) charge statistics for fiscal year 2009, it is becoming clear that the increased number of employment-related claims is more than just a blip on the radar screen. The ongoing increase in discrimination charge filings accompanied by an increase in EEOC enforcement requires that employers broaden their efforts to maintain a discrimination free workplace. Read More
On March 18, President Obama signed the Hiring Incentives to Restore
Employment (HIRE) Act (Pub. Law 111-147), one day after it received final approval by the U.S. Senate. The HIRE Act creates:
• a limited social security tax “holiday” for the employer share of social security tax
on wages paid to a previously unemployed new hire, and
• a separate business tax credit of up to $1,000 if the employee is employed for at
least 52 weeks. Read More
Severance pay for laid-off employees isn’t subject to Social Security taxes, a district court says in a case involving a bankrupt retailer that closed all its stores and let its staff go. The court noted that the tax code specifically requires employers to treat severance paid to laid off workers as if it is wages for withholding purposes. This indicates that severance is not otherwise treated as wages, and thus is exempt from FICA tax. The court also nixed IRS’ position that severance avoids FICA tax only if it is tied to receipt of unemployment benefits (Quality Stores, D.C., Mich.).
IRS almost certainly will appeal. In 2008, it won an Appeals Court case on this issue. But the district court here expressly repudiated that Court’s analysis. Read More
