Volume VII, Issue II

Two Teams, One Focus

Can payroll be fun? When you, our clients, are able to relax and focus on winning against the competition in your business, we think payroll can be great fun!

For the month of March, we have divided our employees into two powerhouse teams, the Payroll Giants vs The Pink Panthers. Every morning, each team member gets the opportunity to run the bases on our make-shift conference room baseball diamond. Base hits are given for several aspects of providing outstanding service to our clients. To make things even more interesting, you are invited to join the fun. For each base hit you help your Payroll, Benefits, or Sales Specialist make, you will receive a lottery ticket. When the scores are compiled on March 25th, we hope to mail you a big envelope filled with lottery tickets. Here are the different ways you can help your team:

• Add a service. Take advantage of our integrated services such as employee payroll self-service, COBRA administration, San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance compliance, a time and attendance solution, or HR services.
  
  
• Recommend us.
Provide a name and phone number of a business that will benefit from our "out of the ball park" services!


• Post a positive review of Payroll Systems on Yelp. It's easy Post on Yelp! and tell your specialist about it.



• "Like" our Facebook page. Go to Payroll Systems' Facebook Page and press "like."
  


• Free webinars and seminars. Participate in one of our spring training sessions:
  
  COBRA 101 Webinar. March 17, 10am-11am Learn the basics of COBRA administration. Learn what resources are available, pitfalls, required notices and penalties for noncompliance. RSVP
  
  Employment Landmines Seminar. March 24, 10am - 11am. HRIdeas returns by popular demand. Join us for an informative seminar on employment law concerning managers and business owners in California. RSVP
  
  PayEntry 101 Webinar. April 6, 10am - 11am. A great refresher and a forum for questions if you process payroll with PayEntry. Get the most from your technology. RSVP
  
  Participate in Payroll Systems Spring Training earning base hits and home runs for your favorite employees and lottery tickets for you!

   

   

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  15 Year Client Milestones!

  Did you know we have a 99.7% client retention rate? This is unrivaled in the payroll service industry. Servicing our clients since 1989, a big thank you to all of our clients! Here are just a few who recently spoke with us:

   

  Baseline Environmental Consulting "We had been using (and struggling with) one of the largest payroll services when we were introduced to Payroll Systems--that was 1991.We've been delighted with their great service ever since." www.baseline-env.com

  Moore & Baker LLP "We have entrusted many of our clients' payroll to Payroll Systems over the past 15 years with outstanding results. The personal touch afforded to our clients is in keeping with the philosophy of Moore & Baker" www.moorebaker.com
  

   

  ERG Materials and Aerospace Corporation "We have been with Payroll Systems for over 21 years! We have a strict No Change policy and Payroll Systems falls into that category." www.ergaerospace.com
  

   

  Great service retains great clients!

   

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  Employee or Independent Contractor?
  
  "Does it make any difference whether I pay my workers as employees or independent contractors?"
  
  According to the CA Department of Industrial Relations and the IRS, it does make a difference. Paying workers as independent contractors, that are employees by definition, can have costly tax consequences and can be the subject of serious wage and hour violations. If a worker is an employee, he/she is subject to CA wage and hour laws including meal and rest periods, minimum wage, overtime, and anti-discrimination and retaliation laws. Employees can go to agencies such as EDD and DLSE for labor disputes where independent contractors must go to the courts to settle disputes.
  The IRS defines four categories of workers: Independent Contractors, Common Law Employees, Statutory Employees, and Statutory Nonemployees. Penalties can be significant if an individual is treated as an independent contractor and later found to be an employee. Each working relationship should be researched thoroughly before established.
  IRS publication 15, Circular E, and it's supplement, 15-A are great resources and give examples of each different category of worker.
  IRS Publication 15 (Circular E)
  IRS Publication 15-A
  CA Department of Industrial Relations FAQs

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  DOs and DON'Ts of No-Match Letters
  
  Social Security Administration (SSA) sends no-match letters to employers when the name or social security number (SSN) of an employee does not match a name or the SSN in their records. Keep these tips in mind and visit the Department of Justice website for the complete guidelines.
  DO check your records and verify that the SSN you have on file is correct.
  DO inform the employee in writing that you received the no-match letter.
  DO ask the employee to confirm his/her SSN.
  DO advise the employee to contact SSA to resolve if no discrepancy is found in the employer records.
  DON'T ask for specific documents to verify the employee's SSN.
  DO consult with an attorney if not resolved within an alotted time period.
  DON'T terminate an employee based upon a no-match letter.
  Click here to download the Department of Justice FAQs.

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  Reminder: FSA 2010 Run Out & Grace Period deadline approaching
  
  If you have a FSA plan year end of December 2010, check your plan documents and confirm your run out and grace periods. Many have a fast approaching deadline for 2010 claims. A run out period is an extended time period to file claims and a grace period is an extended time period after the plan year end to incur claims. FSAs are a "use it or lose it" plan so if the grace period or run out period applies, remind your employees to check their 2010 balances, as they may have a few weeks to submit any claims for reimbursement. Please refer to your plan documents or contact our benefit specialists at CustomerSupport@payroll-us.com

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  Our Website has a
  New Look!
  Although our web address remains the same, we've updated our look and services. From COBRA and employee benefits administration, to expanded HR and compensation services, we have the answer for your organization.

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To ensure your payroll is processed the same day we receive it, you must call
or fax in your payroll information no later than 1:00 PM.