How to Ease the Burden of Multi-State Withholding.

Many employers have multi-state withholding and unemployment taxes. As workplace dynamics continue to develop and change, more employers will be faced with managing withholding for several states. Here are a few tips from our payroll team to help you navigate the addition of multiple states. 

There are several items to consider when thinking about whether you may need to add another state. The most common reasons include:

·         Base of operations

·         Employees working from home

·         Employees who are residents of a neighboring state

Adding States Can be a Challenge

Adding a new state requires research into the laws governing state withholding and unemployment, as well as additional taxes such as local, county, and school district. This can be difficult and time consuming. There is no one size fits all for adding new states. The laws can vary a great deal.

Employers must apply for tax accounts in order to be assigned an account number, deposit schedule, unemployment rate. These accounts should be set up prior to the first withholding and/or accrual of any taxes.

We're Here to Help

As part of our commitment to take the worry away, we are here to do the research and assist you by getting the right information. 

Employers should communicate with their payroll account manager to make sure that set up is accurate and timely for both the taxation and affected employees.  This communication allows your account manager to carefully review the changes to assure accuracy. It also reduces the chance for errors on quarterly reports.

Any Other Questions? 

I am also available to answer any questions that you may have regarding payroll taxation items. I won’t always have the answer, but I am always willing to find it for you. I appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

The Author: Kathy Krebsbach, FPC

Payroll Tax Compliance Specialist

abgncs.com/payroll

KKrebsbach@abg-mn.com

Disclaimer: This blog is of an informative nature and should not be taken as advice. Please work with the appropriate parties for those services.

Our Payroll Team is Industry Certified and Ready to Serve

It is very important to us at Alliance Benefit Group North Central States, Inc. (ABGNCS) to stand by our core focus, “We take the worry away.”  For our employees to deliver on this promise, we believe it’s important to be knowledge leaders within the industries we serve. A key contribution to our knowledge base is our commitment to having our employees become certified within those industries.  

For our Payroll Department an important designation is the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC). Our Payroll Account Managers are proud to have these three characters displayed behind their names. As a payroll provider, this training helps us be prepared to fully support the payroll process from start to finish. 

What does FPC stand for?

FPC stands for Fundamental Payroll Certification, a professional certification administered through the American Payroll Association (APA).

What is the purpose of the FPC designation?

The FPC is a way for payroll professionals, consultants, analysts and sales representatives to demonstrate their knowledge of basic payroll concepts and systems to establish credibility.

Topics covered on this Exam:

1.      Core Payroll Concepts

2.      Compliance/Research and Resources

3.      Calculations

4.      Payroll Processes, Supporting Systems, and Administration

5.      Payroll Administration and Management

6.      Audits

7.      Accounting

We currently have three employees with the FPC. ABGNCS is proud to have this designation as part of our organization and supports that the rest of our Payroll Team working towards this certification.

These efforts help us keep up with the ever-changing payroll rules and regulations. We’re ready to help answer any questions you may have about your payroll systems. 

The Author: Sarah J. Barnick, FPC

Account Manager - Payroll

abgncs.com/payroll

sbarnick@abg-mn.com

Disclaimer: This blog is of an informative and educational nature, and should not be considered legal, financial or operational advice. Please contact the appropriate parties for those services. Thank you.

5 Things to Consider When Switching Payroll Providers

Processing payroll for your company is one of the most important tasks your organization manages from week to week, and it needs to be completed on time and accurately! That is why there are many things to ponder when you're considering switching payroll providers. Here are five things to think about before choosing a new payroll provider:

1.   How does implementation work? This is going to be the first time that your company and the new provider work together. You're getting to know each other and how you both do business. You will want to make sure that there is a main point of contact to reach out to with questions that you have, who will be a able to provide a quick response. It is also important that the provider has a implementation process to make sure that the project stays on track. Make sure to inquire about the amount of work you are responsible for and how much the payroll provider is handling.

2.   Who will handle payroll processing? It is  important to have someone to reach out to when you need assistance, especially when dealing with a new software solution. In most cases it is nice to have a dedicated person to work with so that you're not training the person each time you call. Be sure to ask the question of who will be processing your payroll, and how will you be able to contact that person. Your time is valuable and you don’t want to get stuck on the phone trying to get through to a real person.

3.   What additional services do they offer? Make a list of "must haves". This could be an Employee Self Service Option, WC Pay As you Go Insurance, HRIS system, remote access to the software, or an HR resource, and the list could go on. Once you have a list, you can compare the options that each provider has and really drill into what is important to you. In addition to the list, are there some services that the provider is able to offer that would help make your life easier? Make sure you ask questions about features that help streamline your payroll process. Also think in terms of the big picture. Is it possible they could provide other benefits including health savings or retirement services? Would it make everyone's lives easier to bundle some of these services? 

4.   How does pricing work? Every payroll processing company has their own pricing structure and a different approach to including or excluding additional services. Make sure you understand what's included and which services will cost you additional money. A quick list of things to ask about is:

a.  How is the tax filing charged? What if there are amended    returns needed?

b.  Reporting -- what reports are included and what reports are additional? Can you write your own, if so is this an additional charge? How will you get your reports? 

c.  What is included in the payroll processing charge? 

d.  Is there a charge for Employee self service?

e.  Is there a charge for additional administrator access to their system?

5.   What do they offer for tax filing services? It is important to ensure that the provider you choose offers everything you need for tax filing, this includes federal, state and any local tax deposits as well as quarterly and annual forms. 

Let us take some of the weight off your shoulders. 

Keep in mind that it is also important that the payroll provider fits the needs of your business and is able to grow with you. If you are interested in payroll services, Alliance Benefit Group North Central States, Inc. would be happy to provide information and offer guidance during your evaluation. 

The Author: Alysha Frie, FPC

Payroll Sales Consultant
abgncs.com/payroll
afrie@abg-mn.com

Disclaimer: This blog is of an informative and educational nature, and should not be considered legal, financial or operational advice. Please contact the appropriate parties for those services. Thank you.