Bswift Overview

How Does The Government Shutdown Affect Tax Returns?

Officially now the longest government shutdown in history, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are furloughed—some are required to work, some are not— but none are receiving paychecks. For some, the timing couldn’t be worse. Tax season is upon us and many American workers are left wondering what the government shutdown means in regard to their 2018 tax returns or tax status in general. If you or your HR department find yourselves inundated with questions from curious employees, be sure to arm yourself with the most recent information. Here’s what to tell employees during the government shutdown. Do I have to pay federal income tax during the shutdown? Yes. Despite the government shutdown, employees still need to pay income tax....

How Does the 2019 Government Shutdown Affect Human Resources?

The consequences of the government shutdown are widespread. From furloughed federal employees, delayed tax returns and long lines at TSA checkpoints, few Americans can escape its impact. Unfortunately, as an HR leader, you won’t get by unscathed. It’s not just “business as usual” for most organizations because the shutdown affects the work done on a day-to-day basis. Let’s review some of the biggest ways the government shutdown is affecting HR departments. E-Verify is Down The system used to confirm an employee’s eligibility status to work in the U.S. is inaccessible. Overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, E-Verify takes the information found on an employee’s I-9 form and electronically compares it to records from the Social...

How to Staff for Payroll Administration: Roles and Responsibilities

Payroll administration is an essential function for every business. From issuing/distributing paychecks and maintaining tax compliance to calculating payroll deductions and garnishments, administrators wear several hats. If you own a business and are looking to staff your payroll department, here’s what you need to know. What Do Payroll Administrators Do? Depending on the size of a business, the payroll department may have one employee or a dedicated team, all with varying levels of experience and responsibilities. Payroll Practitioner l (entry-level) This entry level position is the grease that keeps the wheels of the payroll department rolling. They perform essential, yet routine duties. Their responsibilities include: Maintaining...

PTO Payout Laws By State

Most companies have formal paid time off policies. Regardless of whether you call it vacation time, sick time, furlough, PTO, PDO or some combination of the above, you should pay attention to states’ laws. Surrendering your terminated employees’ accrued and unused vacation time isn’t subject to federal law, but it’s important to pay attention to states’ laws since regulation is under their purview. If your company has locations in multiple states, it’s important to review all statutes regarding separation pay. This handy table should provide the basic information you need to know but be sure to check state departments of labor for specific guidelines. State Statutory Requirements Addressing Vacation Pay Use-It-or-Lose-It Policy Payment...