News & Compliance Center

UPDATE: On July 29, 2021, the IRS released additional FAQS regarding the tax credits available to eligible employers under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 relative to vaccination. In this latest round of guidance the IRS provides that tax credits are available to employers who provide leave to employees to …

"Checkwriters Onboarding has helped us grow to a few dozen employees to a few hundred employees in multiple states." Mariana Martinez, HR Manager, MicroGenDX Mariana Martinez and Alysa Medina - HR and Operations leaders at national bioscience company MicroGenDX - were searching for a new Payroll and HR platform that …

On June 29, 2021, Governor David Ige signed into law SB 1196/Act No. 115. Effective January 1, 2022, the Act amends the due date for employers to file the wage and tax statement from the last day of February to January 31st following the close of the calendar year. If the employee's employment is terminated before the …

Effective July 1, 2021, the minimum wage rate in Washington, D.C. will increase from $15.00 per hour to $15.20 per hour for all workers (regardless of employer size). The minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase from $5.00 per hour to $5.05 per hour. 2021 is the first year that Washington, D.C.’s minimum …

Effective July 1, 2021, the minimum wage rate in Nevada is $8.75 per hour if the employee is offered qualifying health benefits (lower tier) and $9.75 per hour if the employee is not offered qualifying health benefits (higher tier). Nevada’s minimum wage will continue to increase annually on July 1 through 2024, until …

Effective July 1, 2021, Oregon’s standard minimum wage is $12.75 per hour;  Portland metro area is $14.00 per hour; and non-urban counties is $12.00 per hour. Oregon’s minimum wage will continue to increase annually on July 1 through 2022. Effective July 1, 2023, the state standard minimum wage rate will be indexed to …

On June 16, 2021, Governor David Ige signed legislation, effective immediately, repealing the state’s “disability subminimum wage," which permitted employers to pay employees with disabilities a wage below the state minimum wage. In support of repeal, the Hawaii legislature cited the Arizona Advisory Committee on the …

Effective July 1, 2021, all fast food workers in New York state must make at least $15.00 per hour. This fact sheet provides additional information about this new minimum wage > For more information on the definition of a fast food establishment and what is considered a chain, please see the Hospitality Industry …

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has updated its website to include several frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the new COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Please click here to view that information > The employee notice which is required to be posted by all employers in accordance with the Act is now …

Massachusetts has made several revisions to its “blue laws” that require most employers that are retailers to pay premium pay for work on certain holidays. First, the Commonwealth has designated Juneteenth Independence Day, June 19, as a legal holiday. Second, the gradual phase-out of premium pay now applies to all …

On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued Notice 2021-31, a guidance document on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subsidy for continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The Notice discusses the background of the subsidy and includes 86 questions and answers (Q&As) …

The IRS has announced 2022 health savings account (HSA) contribution limits as part of the release of Revenue Procedure 2021-25. 2022 HSA contribution limits: HSA   2021   2022   Self-only contribution limit   $3,600   $3,650   Family contribution limit   $7,200   $7,300   The contribution limits for HSAs in 2022 will …

Virginia's minimum wage will increase from $7.25 to $9.50 per hour effective May 1, 2021. This is part of a series of scheduled minimum wage increases brought about by legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020. The legislation raises the state minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2026 as well as …

"Dealing with Checkwriters was such a breath of fresh air. The most surprising thing about making the transition was the ease of it! Their system is robust, but very cost effective. I recommend you take a look." Jannel Hill - HR Leader at the YMCA of Pawtucket - was searching for a Payroll and HR solution that could be adapted to a …

On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs and model notices for the COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The ARPA provides a 100% subsidy for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under COBRA and similar state continuation of coverage programs …

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Announcement 2021-7, clarifying that amounts paid for certain personal protective equipment (PPE)—such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes—used for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) are deductible medical expenses.

This new requirement - which became effective January 1, 2021 - imposes new pay reporting requirements on California employers due by March 31, 2021.

ARPA increases pretax contribution limits for dependent care flexible spending accounts (DC-FSAs) for calendar year 2021.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) and similar state continuation of coverage (mini-COBRA) programs.

ARPA extends the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Paid Sick and Family Leave Credit, introduces temporary COBRA and ACA subsidies, and increases contributions to dependent care FSAs.

Both the county and city have increased the minimum wage effective March 1, 2021.

While we’re still Checkwriters, here’s what’s changing as part of our brand refresh.

Effective January 1, 2021, the state minimum wage is $11.75 per hour. The basic tipped wage rate for service or tipped employees must equal fifty percent (50%) of the state minimum wage and will be $5.88 per hour effective January 1, 2021.

Effective January 1, 2021, the state minimum wage is $9.45 per hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees is $4.725 per hour.

Effective December 31, 2020, the general state minimum wage is $12.50 per hour, save for New York City which remains $15.00 per hour, and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties which is $14.00 per hour.

Effective January 1, 2021 , the state minimum wage for most employees is $12.00 per hour.

Effective January 1, 2021, the state minimum wage is $8.75 per hour.

Effective January 1, 202, the state minimum wage is $10.50 per hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees is $2.55 per hour.

Effective January 1, 2021, the state minimum wage is $10.30 per hour.

The state minimum wage effective January 1, 2021 is $12.15.

The state minimum wage effective January 1, 2021 is $10.34.

California employers who are already required to file an Employment Information Report (EEO-1) under federal law must report required pay data including pay and hours data relative to race, ethnicity and gender to California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (CDFEH).

With the end of year in sight, many are hunting for ways to use up FSA money that’s been diligently socked away all year. Here are a few suggestions for you and your employees on how and where to “use it before you lose it!”

Effective January 1, 2021, the City of Seattle will impose a payroll expense tax on every business in the city that meets the following requirements.