W-2 and 1099 Deadline Approaching
January is here, bringing with it a new tax year and (you guessed it) new tax deadlines. W-2 and 1099 filings can be especially important for smaller organizations, who can be caught unaware that failing to file these forms timely causes stiff penalties. According to IRS’s instructions, employers must complete Form W-2, furnish a copy…
Clergy pay social security as self-employed
Determining the correct social security tax for clergy is often confusing. Clergy pay social security tax under the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA), not under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Clergy engaged in the exercise of ministry are always treated as self-employed for social security tax purposes. A congregation should never deduct FICA tax from the pay of a…
The 10 Types of PTO
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70% of employees have access to paid days off from work for sick or vacation time. Although these are common paid time off programs, sick and vacation days aren’t the only time off work you can offer. Get the scoop on different types of paid time off below….
How to Pay an Independent Contractor
There are specific rules that dictate whether you should pay someone as an employee or as an independent contractor. There is no single test for determining if an individual is an independent contractor or an employee. Employee misclassification has always been an important issue and often can trigger IRS attention. Generally, an employee has an…
It’s Time To Stop Making Payroll Mistakes
Payroll is complicated. There are a lot of tasks, laws, forms, and calculations. With so many things to remember, it’s easy to make a mistake. You should not take payroll errors lightly. Mistakes can result in penalties, interest, and even jail time. The best way to avoid payroll mistakes is by knowing what to look…
Employee vs Contractor
There is no single test for determining if an individual is an independent contractor or an employee. Employee misclassification has always been an important issue and often can trigger IRS attention. Generally, an employee has an ongoing relationship with the church which includes a job description and compensation paid by the hour or salary. A…
Timekeeping Requirements for Churches
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act and similar state wage-hour laws require churches to maintain accurate timekeeping records and to pay nonexempt employees for all hours worked in a workweek and to pay overtime for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Some states also impose daily overtime requirements. To pay employees…
Calculating Overtime When a Church Employee Is Paid a Salary
It is fairly simple to calculate how much overtime a nonexempt employee is owed when the employee is paid an hourly wage. But calculating overtime becomes a bit more difficult when the employee is paid on a salary basis. The methods for calculating overtime vary depending on whether the employee’s salary is intended to cover…
Defining the Workweek or Work Period For The Church
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)’s overtime laws require churches to pay employees overtime when they work beyond a certain threshold, usually 40 hours in a workweek. For most churches, the workweek coincides with the calendar week, running from 12 a.m. Monday to 12 p.m. on Sunday. But churches are allowed to use any fixed…
How Your Church Can Comply With The New Overtime Rules
The FLSA requires covered employers to pay “non-exempt” employees at least the minimum wage for each hour worked as well as overtime pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. Federal_FLSA_Exemption Guide If your exempt employees earn less than the new salary requirement, they will no longer meet exemption criteria and…