Due to a lapse in government funding, E-Verify and E-Verify services are not available [E-Verify website, 12-22-18]. During this time, employers cannot access their E-Verify accounts to enroll in E-Verify; create E-verify cases; view or take action on cases; reset passwords; terminate accounts; or run reports.

The IRS released the new Form 8994, Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave, and its instructions, which will be used by employers to claim the credit for paid family and medical leave provided to their employees.

Under federal law, employers that file 250 or more Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement(Copy A), must file them electronically by January 31 after the year to which the form applies. The Social Security Administration no longer accepts Form W-2 data reported on magnetic media.

Audits should start early November…  so that you have enough time to fix before last payroll of the year.

• Create 2019 Payroll Calendar & Holiday Schedule
• Review W-2 Data (SSN, Address) before final print
• Complete a W-4 Audit, verifying state
• Complete a WC Code Classification Audit

Most states have released their state unemployment insurance (SUI) taxable wage bases for 2019.  State Unemployment Insurance Taxable Wage Bases 2016-2019

The IRS released a second draft of the 2019 Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, on October 12. The latest draft Form W-4 is very similar to the 2018 Form W-4 with a few non-substantive language changes in the general instructions.  In several sections of the new draft of the Form W-4, the IRS added language clarifying that employees should take into account non-wage income “not subject to withholding” in using the various worksheets and that the child tax credit may be taken only for children who have a valid social security number.

On November 1, the IRS announced the changes to the dollar limits on benefits and contributions under qualified retirement plans, as well as other items, for tax year 2019 [IRS Notice 2018-83, 11-1-18, 2019 Pension Plan Limits].

The IRS has released inflation-adjusted tables for 2019 reflecting any increases in the FSA deferral limit, foreign earned income exclusion, and excludable transportation fringes, among other changes [Rev. Proc. 2018-57, 11-15-18].

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Thursday, October 11, 2018, that the 2019 social security wage base will be $132,900, which is an increase of $4,500 from $128,400 in 2018 (view the SSA Fact Sheet).

The IRS has announced the changes to the dollar limits on benefits and contributions under qualified retirement plans, as well as other items, for tax year 2019 [IRS Notice 2018-83, 11-1-18]. The notice is available on the APA website at https://www.americanpayroll.org/compliance/compliance-overview/annual-irs-annoucements.