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Payroll

Get the latest insights and best practice articles on payroll taxes.

  • Guide

    Multi-state Payroll

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    • Symmetry's 10 Tips For Building a Global Payroll Product
    Payroll

    Symmetry's 10 Tips For Building a Global Payroll Product

    As a high-growth startup, you're on the cusp of developing your own payroll product to cater to an international audience. Since you are serious about building an international payroll product you understand that it comes with its unique set of challenges and complexities.

    Understanding the SECURE 2.0 Act: What Does it Mean for Payroll Service Providers?
    Payroll

    Understanding the SECURE 2.0 Act: What Does it Mean for Payroll Service Providers?

    The SECURE 2.0 Act aims to improve retirement security for American workers by increasing access to retirement plans, adjusting the RMD rules, and encouraging companies to offer retirement plans to their employees.

    FUTA’s Tentative Credit and Credit Reduction
    Payroll

    FUTA’s Tentative Credit and Credit Reduction

    The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) is an unemployment tax companies must pay on behalf of their employees. When setting up the FUTA tax in the Symmetry Tax Engine, you can set the specific rate to be used by adding different parameters.

    Year-End Payroll Task Checklist
    Payroll

    Year-End Payroll Task Checklist

    Symmetry Software is here to help you with your 4th quarter payroll task list! Download Symmetry’s 2022 Payroll Calendar to easily keep track of all deadlines and Federal Holidays.

    Back to Basics: Paycheck Taxes
    Payroll

    Back to Basics: Paycheck Taxes

    Manually calculating employee and employer paycheck taxes can be time-consuming and daunting. Symmetry Software provides the tools and expertise needed to avoid payroll mistakes.

    The Importance of Location Accuracy in Payroll
    Payroll

    The Importance of Location Accuracy in Payroll

    Location accuracy in payroll is crucial for many different reasons. If an employee is not set up correctly upon onboarding, employers can be fined, subject to audits, and have a stressful tax season with W-2s

    4 Common Payroll Problems the Symmetry Tax Engine Solves
    Payroll

    4 Common Payroll Problems the Symmetry Tax Engine Solves

    Common payroll problems can be easily solved with the cutting-edge technology found in the Symmetry Tax Engine, the leader in payroll tech.

    Louisiana Establishes Threshold for Nonresident Income Tax Withholding
    Payroll

    Louisiana Establishes Threshold for Nonresident Income Tax Withholding

    Taking effect on January 1st, 2022, employers in the state of Louisiana will not be required to withhold Louisiana income tax from the wages earned by nonresident employees for services performed within Louisiana unless the nonresident employee spends more than 25 days performing employment duties for the employer in the state.

    Unexpected Tax Consequences from Telecommuting
    Payroll

    Unexpected Tax Consequences from Telecommuting

    During the pandemic, some states adopted special rules for telecommuters to ease the tax rules. As telecommuting may become more popular, it is essential to know that it can cause unexpected tax consequences for both the employee and the employer.

    Extended Due Date for Deferred Taxes
    Payroll

    Extended Due Date for Deferred Taxes

    Employers who elected to defer their employees’ taxes were instructed to withhold and pay the deferred taxes during the beginning of the year. However, this period has recently been extended.

    Where Is My Second Stimulus Payment?
    Payroll

    Where Is My Second Stimulus Payment?

    The IRS is diligently working on sending out the second stimulus payments of 2020 to eligible recipients. Find out where your stimulus payment is with these tools and resources.

    A Retirement Savings Program for Oregon Residents
    Payroll

    A Retirement Savings Program for Oregon Residents

    Whether it is through an employer offering or as an individual, any Oregon resident has access to a state provided retirement savings plan, OreganSaves. Of course, contributing to an OregonSaves Roth IRA has many benefits, as well as some consequences.

    Improving the City with the JumpStart Seattle Plan
    Payroll

    Improving the City with the JumpStart Seattle Plan

    Seattle's Payroll Expense Tax will begin on January 1, 2021, and continuing to December 31, 2040, applying rates ranging from 0.7% of payroll expenses up to 2.4% for companies with the highest payroll expenses. First reporting for employers will begin on December 31, 2023.

    The Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations
    Payroll

    The Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations

    On August 8, 2020, President Trump signed the Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations to provide the American workforce with additional relief during COVID-19.

    Withholding Taxes For Medical Professionals Crossing Borders
    Payroll

    Withholding Taxes For Medical Professionals Crossing Borders

    As many medical professionals cross state lines to enter and help critical areas hit by COVID-19, payroll professionals can’t help but ask, “are they going to be hit with unexpected state income taxes?” On June 18, 2020, U.S. Senators John Thune and Sherrod Brown introduced S. 3995, the Remote and Mobile Worker Relief Act of 2020.

    The IRS is Not Immune to COVID-19
    Payroll

    The IRS is Not Immune to COVID-19

    As IRS employees return to work, they are returning to piles of mail. As they send out notices that were printed before stay-at-home orders were set in place, taxpayers should be prepared.

    A Sign of the Times: New York Income Taxes
    Payroll

    A Sign of the Times: New York Income Taxes

    Non-resident income taxes are not the majority of income taxes in many states, however, others rely heavily on them.

    The IRS' New Tax Withholding Estimator
    Payroll

    The IRS' New Tax Withholding Estimator

    On August 6, 2019, the IRS launched a new Tax Withholding Estimator to help taxpayers determine the correct amount of tax that should be withheld from their paycheck this year. We must say this Estimator is a significant improvement compared to the previous one!

    The Fed Board Delays the ACH Network’s New Proposal
    Payroll

    The Fed Board Delays the ACH Network’s New Proposal

    Same-day ACH processing has been delayed to March 19, 2021.

    Oregon Releases New Payroll System
    Payroll

    Oregon Releases New Payroll System

    The State of Oregon Employment Department will be releasing the Oregon Payroll Reporting System later this year.

    Six Mistakes Small Businesses Make When It Comes to Payroll
    Payroll

    Six Mistakes Small Businesses Make When It Comes to Payroll

    Here are some of the most common payroll mistakes and techniques to avoid them.

    Unique Cases for Paycards
    Payroll

    Unique Cases for Paycards

    A paycard is a prepaid payroll card that acts like a debit card in lieu of traditional pay methods. Consider highlighting these ideas when presenting the option of paycards.

    Make Payroll Day Easier with These Nine Tips
    Payroll

    Make Payroll Day Easier with These Nine Tips

    The day you process payroll is stressful - but it doesn't have to be with these nine tips to make it easier.

    Capped Wages vs. Maximum Wage
    Payroll

    Capped Wages vs. Maximum Wage

    Capped wages are a limit on a employee's salary enforced by the government, while maximum wage is a wage ceiling imposed on how much an employee can earn in a given pay cycle.

    What Happens When You Pay an Employee Incorrectly
    Payroll

    What Happens When You Pay an Employee Incorrectly

    Underpaying an employee can result in legal action by the employee, while an employer is entitled to regain wages after overpaying an employee.

    What States Tax Social Security Benefits and More
    Payroll

    What States Tax Social Security Benefits and More

    Social Security benefits are subject to taxes in certain states, and not subject to taxes in others.

    How to Calculate Your Employee's Paychecks by Hand
    Payroll

    How to Calculate Your Employee's Paychecks by Hand

    Manually calculating payroll is an option for some employers - especially small businesses - and involves easy math.

    Why Location Accuracy is Important in Your Offering
    Payroll

    Why Location Accuracy is Important in Your Offering

    Location accuracy improves compliance, preventing audits and saving you thousands of dollars every year and is achieved through geocoding processes.

    Wage Bracket Method v Percentage Method for Withholding
    Payroll

    Wage Bracket Method v Percentage Method for Withholding

    The most common methods to determine an employee's withholding from a paycheck are the wage bracket method and the percentage method - all based on what your employees enter on their W-4s.

    Busting Four Paycard Myths
    Payroll

    Busting Four Paycard Myths

    Paycards are shrouded with rumors and myths, but they're not all true.

    Three Common Types Of Payroll Fraud
    Payroll

    Three Common Types Of Payroll Fraud

    Payroll fraud is real and can happen in various forms, like employee misclassification, ghost employees, and timesheet fraud.

    What Is A Highly Compensated Employee
    Payroll

    What Is A Highly Compensated Employee?

    A highly compensated employee is an employee who owns at least 5% of shares in a company and earns more than $100,000 per year.

    Year End Tips For Payroll Professionals
    Payroll

    Year End Tips For Payroll Professionals

    The end of the year for payroll professionals can be a crazy time, which is why it's best to be prepared.

    How Minimum Wage Increases Affect Consumer
    Payroll

    How Minimum Wage Increases Affect Consumers

    Minimum wage increases affect workers, but they also affect the costs of goods, which can harm some consumers.

    Taxable Wages vs Subject Wages
    Payroll

    Taxable Wages vs Subject Wages

    Taxable wages are all payments made to workers that are subject to local, state, and federal taxes while subject wages are deductions with special tax treatments.

    Inclement Weather and Its Impact on Payroll
    Payroll

    Inclement Weather and Its Impact on Payroll

    When the weather is truly bad - major disaster level - payroll can be affected as offices and workers are turned away from work at weeks' time.

    What Are Your State's Pay Day Frequency Requirements
    Payroll

    What Are Your State's Pay Day Frequency Requirements?

    Forty-seven of the 50 states in America have a policy on pay day frequencies.

    Famous Payroll Blunders
    Payroll

    Famous Payroll Blunders

    Payroll mistakes happen and sometimes they're large - like payroll managers embezzling money or studios not paying their interns.

    What Happens When You Enter Incorrect W-4 Information
    Payroll

    What Happens When You Enter Incorrect W-4 Information

    Errors on a W-4 can lead to under or overwithholding, which can be problematic for the payroll department.

    The History of Payroll Tax [Infographic]
    Payroll

    The History of Payroll Tax [Infographic]

    The history of the payroll tax dates back to the Revenue Act of 1861. Payroll taxes continue to evolve today.

    Gross Income Defined
    Payroll

    Gross Income Defined

    For workers, gross income is all their wages before taxes are taken out. For businesses, gross income the amount of revenues that exceed the costs of goods sold.

    Eight Common Payroll Errors Companies Make
    Payroll

    Eight Common Payroll Errors Companies Make

    Payroll mistakes, such as not issuing 1099s to vendors, misclassifying employees, and not running payroll on time happen to everyone.

    Eleven Steps to Setting Up Your Payroll
    Payroll

    Eleven Steps to Setting Up Your Payroll

    Starting a new business means setting up payroll - here are the steps you need to take in order to have a successful operation.

    The Breakdown of Local and State Ohio Taxes
    Payroll

    The Breakdown of Local and State Ohio Taxes

    Ohio has some of the most complicated local taxes in the country - including JEDD, JEDz, and more.

    How to Pay Interim Employees
    Payroll

    How to Pay Interim Employees

    Paying interim employees, either exempt or nonexempt can be complicated.

    A Deeper Look At Reciprocity Agreements
    Payroll

    A Deeper Look At Reciprocity Agreements

    A deeper look at reciprocity agreements will illustrate just how complicated payroll taxes can be for tax professionals.

    The Growing Popularity of Prepaid Payroll Cards
    Payroll

    The Growing Popularity of Prepaid Payroll Cards

    Prepaid payroll cards, the new substitute to direct deposit and paper checks, are not only reaching a larger range of employees, but also saving businesses and banks large sums of money.

    Top Earning (And Top Taxed) Athletes
    Payroll

    Top Earning (And Top Taxed) Athletes

    For athletes across the world, the more salary and endorsements, the bigger the tax liabilities.

    The Biggest Payroll Means For The Cleveland Cavaliers
    Payroll

    What The Biggest Payroll Means For The Cleveland Cavaliers and The City

    After payroll and other expenses, the team collected a total revenue of $233 million in the 2016 season. With the largest payroll in the league, comes some of the most impressive salaries, as well.

    What are the FPC and CPP?
    Payroll

    What are the FPC and CPP?

    There are two credentials a professional can earn to advance their careers through the American Payroll Association (APA) - the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.

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