Employee Relations

Let’s say your company wants to commemorate the long career of a retiring employee instrumental in its success. It hosts an evening celebration that culminates with the presentation of a plaque and an expensive gift. What are the tax implications? Generally, such “employee recognition awards,” also called “achievement awards,” are tax-deductible for employers and tax-free for […]

You’re probably knowledgeable about the FICA tax, which was established by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, and is paid by both employers and employees through payroll deductions. FICA tax includes a Social Security and Medicare portion. Less is likely known about the FUTA tax, authorized by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. This unemployment insurance tax […]

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new final rule that’s slated to expand the number of workers who are eligible for overtime pay under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It’s expected to affect four million workers. The rule, which dramatically increases the salary threshold for so-called exempt workers, is […]

Open enrollment for most health care plans is many months away. That makes now a good time for businesses to consider changing their employer-sponsored coverage for next year, or perhaps to think about launching a plan for the very first time. If you’re going to do either, you’ll have many details to sort through. To simplify […]

In today’s tight labor market, your business may want to perk up its compensation package to attract and retain in-demand employees. For example, you might offer moving expense reimbursements or other relocation payments to lure job candidates from afar. Under current law, moving expense payments can’t be deducted by employees or excluded from tax. However, employers […]

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 […]

With the pandemic behind us and a red-hot summer in full swing, many of your company’s employees may be finally rediscovering the uninhibited joys of vacation. Your workers might be having so much fun, in fact, that they might highly value being able to buy even more paid time off (PTO) as an employee benefit. […]