The beginning of a new year is a great time for employees to review their withholding and determine if any adjustments are necessary.
The IRS has released the 2020 Form W4 which has been redesigned to reduce complexity and increase the accurateness of the withholding system.
The 2020 W4 form should be used by new hires and any employees making withholding changes in 2020.
Taxpayers change their names for several reasons (i.e. new marriage, recent adoption, divorce).
Regardless of the reason, taxpayers should notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of any name changes as soon as possible. The IRS checks the SSA records to ensure that the names and social security numbers on the forms match.
Failing to notify the SSA of a name change can delay the processing of a taxpayer’s federal tax returns as well as any tax refunds.
This online tool by the IRS allows taxpayers to check the status of their refund anytime.
Taxpayers can start checking on the status of their return within 24 hours after the IRS received their e-filed return, or four weeks after they mail a paper return.
Starting 12/31/2018 through 12/30/2019, the basic minimum wage will be $11.10 per hour in most of New York State.
The minimum wage rate differ based on: the fast food industry, tipped workers, Long Island, Westchester County, large and small employers in New York City.
General Minimum Wage Rate Schedule
NYC – Large Employers (of 11 or more) $15.00
NYC – Small Employers (10 or less) $13.50
Long Island & Westchester $12.00
Remainder of New York State $11.10
For more information on the increased minimum wage specific to your industry, please click here.
Employers must post a Minimum Wage Information poster as well as various other posters in their place of work visible to all employees.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2019, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
It is important to note that under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxpayers cannot claim a miscellaneous itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee travel expenses. Taxpayers also cannot claim a deduction for moving expenses, except members of the Armed Forces on active duty moving under orders to a permanent change of station.
For more details see Notice-2019-02.
As of January 1, 2019, the maximum wage base that is subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase from $128,400 to $132,900.
There is no limit on earnings subjected to the Medicare payroll tax.
For tax year 2017, student must receive Tuition Statement, form 1098-T, from an eligible institution to claim the tuition and fees deduction, American opportunity credit, or the lifetime learning credit,
There are certain reasons why institutions will not send you form 1098-T. For example having tuition waived or paid in full with scholarships, being a non-resident student, or having a formal separate financial and billing arrangement with an employer or government agency.
Keep records to prove enrollment, related expenses and tuition payments. This can be used to send to the IRS directly to claim the credit.
For more information and a test of questions to determine eligibility Click Here!
President Trump recently signed the tax reform bill into law which resulted into major changes to the code for both individuals and corporations. Here is a brief summary of the changes that will affect most of you.
| Filing Status | Old Law | New Law |
| Single | $6,500 | 12,000 |
| MFJ | 13,000 | 24,000 |
| MFS | 6,500 | 12,000 |
| HOH | 9,350 | 18,000 |
| Single | MFJ | HOH | MFS | |
| 0% up to: | $38,600 | $77,200 | $51,700 | $38,600 |
| 15% up to: | 425,000 | 479,000 | 452,400 | 239,500 |
| 20% over | 425,000 | 479,000 | 452,400 | 239,500 |
| Tax Status | Old Law | New Law |
| MFJ | $110,000 | $400,000 |
| Individuals | $75,000 | $200,000 |
| From | To | Rate |
| $0 | $50,000 | 15% |
| 50,000 | 75,000 | 25% |
| 75,000 | 100,000 | 34% |
| 100,000 | 335,000 | 39% |
This holiday season, if you’re in the spirit of giving, charitable contributions can be the gift that gives back!
Charitable contributions made to qualified organizations can help lower your tax bill. Record keeping of donations and contributions must be maintained no matter the amount. To properly back up your contributions please keep bank records, receipts, or payroll deductions reflecting the amount.
If you are receiving a benefit for your contribution, you can only deduct the amount that exceeds the fair market value (ex. gala tickets). Non-cash donations such as household items and clothing, must be in good used condition and valued at fair market price.
For more information, read these eight tips the IRS provides here!
On July 19, Governor Cuomo announced final regulations implementing New York’s nation-leading Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. The state’s PFL program will provide New Yorkers with job-protected, paid leave to bond with a new child, care for a loved one with a serious health condition or to help relieve family pressures when someone is deployed abroad on active military service.
Insurance companies notified disability benefits (DB) policyholders that PFL will be added to their DB policies effective January 1, 2018. Nearly all employees of DB policyholders will be automatically covered for PFL.
PFL will be funded through employee payroll deductions. As an employer, you are responsible for collecting the appropriate PFL contributions to cover the cost of the program. You may begin employee payroll deductions for PFL as of July 1, 2017.
The rate of PFL is 0.126% of the employee’s weekly wage, not to exceed 0.126% of the current New York State average weekly wage (AWW) of $1,305.92.
Please review the fact sheet for further information.
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