Getting Started With Payroll

Worker Classifications | FLSA | Fringe Benefits | Record Keeping | How-to Videos

Hiring Your First Employee | top

General Questions
What is an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?
What is the purpose of an Employer Identification Number?
How does an employer obtain an Employer Identification Number?
Is an employer required to obtain state identification numbers?
Can an employer make a tax deposit without an Employer Identification Number?
What employment forms are required of a new employee?
What is the purpose of Form I-9?
What are the current requirements for Form I-9?
What is the purpose of Form W-4?
Who is required to complete Form W-4?
What is new hire reporting?
Does an employer have to verify a worker's social security number?
How can an employer verify a worker's social security number?

Worker Classifications | top

General Questions
What do we mean by the term worker classification?
How does an employer determine the employment status of a worker?
What is an employee?
What is an independent contractor?
What are some examples of employee and independent contractor determinations?
What are the 20 factors the IRS has used to measure control of a worker?
What are the tax implications of classifying a worker as an employee vs. an independent contractor?
What is an exempt vs. non-exempt employee?
What is a statutory employee?
What are statutory nonemployees?
What is a temporary employee and what are the company's payroll related obligations?
What is a leased employee and what are the company's payroll related obligations?
Can a business partner also be considered an employee?

Fair Labor Standards Act | top

Wages, Pay, and Benefits
What is the minimum wage?
What is the minimum wage for workers who receive tips?
Must young workers be paid the minimum wage?
When are pay raises required?
Is extra pay required for weekend or night work?
How are vacation pay, sick pay, holiday pay computed and when are they due?
How is severance pay calculated and when is it due?
When must breaks and meal periods be given?
Are periodic performance evaluations required?
Can an employee be required to perform work outside of the employee's job description?
 
Overtime and Work Hours
When is overtime due?
How many hours per day or per week can an employee work?
How many hours is full-time employment? How many hours is part-time employment?
When can an employee's scheduled hours or work be changed?
When is double time due?
Is extra pay required for weekend or night work?
 
Record Keeping and Notices
Are paystubs required?
What notices must be given before an employee is terminated or laid off?
Who must get a W-2 form and how does an employee obtain one?
When employment is terminated, when must the employee receive his/her 401(k) contributions or profit sharing?
How are unemployment benefits calculated?
How are worker's compensation benefits calculated?
When does an employee have to receive health insurance?
What happens to an employee's health insurance when employment is terminated?
 
Child Labor
What is the youngest age at which a person can be employed?
Must young workers be paid the minimum wage?
What hours can youth perform?
What kinds of work can youth perform?
Must a youth have a work permit to work?

Fringe Benefits | top

General Questions
What is a fringe benefit?
How are fringe benefits treated for Federal tax purposes?
What is a de minimis fringe benefit?
How is the value of a taxable fringe benefit determined?
How are non-taxable fringe benefits reported?
How are taxable fringe benefits reported?

Record Keeping | top

What are the general payroll recordkeeping requirements?
What basic payroll and employment records must be maintained?
What are the basic payroll record retention requirements?
What are the consequences of improperly maintaining payroll records?
What are the record retention requirements under FLSA?
Under FLSA, what payroll records need to be maintained for exempt employees?
Under FLSA, what payroll records need to be maintained for tipped employees?
What are the record retention requirements for Form I-9?
 
Summary of Payroll Recordkeeping and Retention Requirements

Online Payroll Classroom | top

Welcome to the online classroom. This extensive workshop is designed to help new and existing business owners understand and meet their federal tax obligations. Lessons 6 through 9 deal specifically with employer related tax issues. You will need Windows Media Player in order to properly view these videos.

Title
Introduction
What you need to know about Federal Taxes
Setting up your business to ensure paying taxes isn't a hassle
File and pay taxes using a computer - Sole Proprietor
File and pay taxes using a computer - Partnerships
File and pay taxes using a computer - Corporations
File and pay taxes using a computer - Charity/Non-Profit
Running your business from your home
Setting up a retirement plan for you and your employees
Federal taxes related to hiring employees and contractors
Ensuring you withhold the correct amount from employees
Salaries paid to Indian tribal council members
Payments to ministers
Employees of non-profit organizations
Employees who receive tip income
Making payroll tax deposits and filings using a computer
What you need to know about Federal Unemployment Taxes