Payroll Briefs

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Ready for Sipping: 2022 Fringe Benefit COLAs

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released 2022 cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for a wide variety of tax-related limits, including those related to many popular fringe benefits. Care to take a sip? Here are some highlights: Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). For 2022, the dollar limit on employee salary reduction contributions to health FSAs will rise […]

4 Key Questions About Employer-Mandated COVID-19 Vaccinations

In September, President Biden issued two executive orders intended to increase rates of vaccination against COVID-19 throughout the United States. One applied to federal contractors, the other addressed employers with 100 or more employees. As you’ve likely heard, the latter order was recently issued as an interim final rule by the Occupational Safety and Health […]

EEOC Updates Guidance on Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its guidance on employer incentives related to encouraging employees (and their family members) to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In a Q&A format, the guidance addresses compliance issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and other federal employment nondiscrimination laws. […]

IRS Information Letters Share Helpful Details on HDHPs and HSAs

Many employers have found value in combining a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently published two information letters — Letter 2021-0008 and Letter 2021-0014 — that provide some helpful details on the applicable rules. Claim of Mismanagement The first letter responds to an inquiry by an HSA […]

Social Security Issues Its 2022 Wage Cap and Benefit Amount Increases

On Oct. 13, 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued its wage cap and benefit amounts for the 2022 calendar year. Compared to 2021, both amounts have increased to account for inflation and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). DM Payroll Solutions shares key takeaways from the newly increased amounts to prepare you for next year. Social Security […]

Outsourcing Could Relieve Pressure in a Tight Labor Market

If you’ve been to a restaurant lately, you might have noticed the establishment was short-staffed. The current labor shortage is most visible in the food and beverage industry but, as you may be keenly aware, it’s affecting employers of all kinds. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in early September that the […]

DOE Issues Final Extension of Federal Student Loan Relief

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) issued a press release extending the federal student loan relief until Jan. 31, 2022. According to the announcement, this will be the final extension setting a “definitive end date” for the relief. The extension is welcomed by students and parents alike, as the relief was set to expire on […]

Defining Involuntary Termination for the ARPA COBRA Subsidy

By now, most employers are aware of the 100% COBRA premium subsidy created under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The subsidy is available when certain employees (and their families) lose health coverage because of the employee’s reduction of hours or involuntary termination. As you may have discovered, among the thorniest issues in assessing a […]

How to Remain ACA-Compliant Throughout the Year

U.S. employers with at least 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees are required to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by filing their employees’ health insurance information annually with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This information includes the year’s payroll and benefits data broken down by month, and there are also events that must be […]

DOL Proposes Rule Increasing Federal Contractor Minimum Wage

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to implement President Biden’s Executive Order 14026, requiring federal contractors to pay a $15 per hour minimum wage to employees working on federal contracts starting Jan. 30, 2022. The DOL’s proposed rule creates the standards and procedures to implement and enforce the […]