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Author: Kat Meissner

Thank you for serving!

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            Thank you for serving!

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I and became a national holiday in 1938. In 1954 President Eisenhower officially changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1968 Congress moved the celebration to the fourth Monday in October; but in 1975 President Ford returned Veterans Day back to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.

Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who lost their lives as a result of serving, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans – living or dead – who served their country during war or peacetime.

Jesus, you said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Today we pray for those men and women who have, in their military service, sacrificed their time, strength, ambition, health and even their lives on this earth to benefit “friends” known and unknown.   We honor our Veterans in your name and we thank them for their sacrifices. We ask that you bless them, provide peace to them and their families and remain with them all the days of their lives. Amen.

Scam Requests for I-9 Information

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Just wanted to take a minute to advise you of the following alert from USCIS.FYI.

The USCIS has issued the following notice regarding scam emails requesting I-9 information:

USCIS has learned that employers have received scam emails requesting Form I-9 information that appear to come from USCIS. Employers are not required to submit Forms I-9 to USCIS. Employers must have a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for every person on their payroll who is required to complete Form I-9. All of these forms must be retained for a certain period of time. Visit I-9 Central to learn more about retention, storage and inspections for Form I-9.

These scam emails come from a fraudulent email address: news@uscis.gov. This is not a USCIS email address. The body of the email may contain USCIS and Office of the Inspector General labels, your address and a fraudulent download button that links to a non-government web address (uscis-online.org). Do not respond to these emails or click the links in them.

If you believe that you received a scam email requesting Form I-9 information from USCIS, report it to the Federal Trade Commission. If you are not sure if it is a scam, forward the suspicious email to the USCIS webmaster. USCIS will review the emails received and share with law enforcement agencies as appropriate.

What’s the history behind Labor Day and why can’t I wear white until Spring??

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Happy Labor Day! What is the real meaning behind this end-of-summer holiday you ask.   According to the United States Department of Labor, it is a creation of the Labor Movement of 1882 in New York City and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American Workers.

The first Labor Day was actually celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. In 1884, the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday to urge other cities in America to follow the example of New York and celebrate the working men’s holiday. It is reported that there was a lot of beer associated with this event!

President Grover Cleveland signed an Act in 1894 establishing a Federal Legal Holiday for Labor Day. (Most states had already done so by this time.)

Between Memorial Day and Labor day, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council reports that Americans will eat 7 billion hotdogs!

Labor Day marks the official end of summer, which marks the end of hot dog season and no more wearing white until Spring. What??? No more white??? Yes, it is an old tradition that dates back to the late Victorian era whereby it is a fashion disaster to wear white after the summer official ended. White indicated that you were still in vacation mode at your summer cottage.   The tradition is really not followed any more – maybe because we don’t vacation all summer at our summer cottages any more. I’ll keep that in mind when I need a vacation in January – look for the lady in white!!

Earlier Due Date for W-2’s and W-3’s

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Employers have a new, earlier due date of January 31, 2017, for filing 2016 information returns, W-2 and W-3 with the Social Security Administration. This date applies to you whether you file using paper forms or electronically. Forms 1099-MISC are due to the IRS by January 31 as well.

Employers must also furnish copies of these forms to their employees by January 31. The State of Wisconsin has had the January 31 deadline in place for years and will continue with that as well.

It is more important than ever to be sure your information is updated and accurate. In the past, if there needed to be a change to the W-2, it could be easily fixed prior to uploading to the Social Security Administration. Now, with the earlier due date, those changes will have to be fixed by completing and filing a W-2C and W-3C – which can get costly and time consuming.

We highly recommend you have a conversation with your employees and your boss and make sure all information that will be on the W-2 is accurate.   Many people don’t look at their W-2 until they are at their tax appointment – this year may be a good year to look early!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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peanuts-thanksgiving

It is with a grateful heart that we at Wisconsin Pay send out Thanksgiving wishes to all of you.  Upon reflection of the past twelve months, we realize once again that we have so much to be grateful for.

I am thankful, I never, ever wake up to bombs exploding, or gunfire aimed at anything other than deer.

I am thankful, I do not know what it feels like to offer my child a cookie made of lard, salt, clay and water – just to ease their hunger pangs for a little while.

I am thankful, I do not know what it truly feels like to not know where my next meal will come from.

I am thankful, I do not know what it feels like to be afraid to be in my church – or afraid of praying – or afraid to share my faith with others.

I am thankful to live in the greatest country in the world, surrounded by an incredible family and friends.

From all of us – to all of you, have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

What if today, we were grateful for everything? – Charlie Brown

2017 Tax Refund Delays

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Tax Refund Delays for 2017

A reminder to all taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), a new law is in effect that requires the IRS to hold those refunds until mid-February 2017.  The IRS will hold the entire refund, including the portion not associated with the EITC or ACTC, until at least February 15, 2017.  This change is an attempt by the IRS to ensure that taxpayers get the refund they are owed by giving the agency more time to detect fraud.

All taxpayers should file their returns as usual.  Even though the IRS cannot issue some refunds until at least February 15, most refunds will be issued within the normal time frame of less than 21 days after being accepted for processing by the IRS.

USCIS Form I-9 Revised November 14, 2016

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The USCIS has revised the form I-9 effective November 14, 2016.  This new form will be in effect until August 31, 2019.  Employers may use the Form I-9 with a revision date of March 8, 2013 through January 21, 2017.  By January 22, employers must use the revised form, which incidentally has been uploaded to our webpage under Employee Services.

Among the changes in the new version, Section 1 asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used,” and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals.

Other changes include:

  • The addition of prompts to ensure information is entered correctly.
  • The ability to enter multiple preparers and translators.
  • A dedicated area for including additional information rather than having to add it in the margins.
  • A supplemental page for the preparer/translator.

The instructions have been separated from the form, in line with other USCIS forms, and include specific instructions for completing each field.

The revised Form I-9 is also easier to complete on a computer. Enhancements include drop-down lists and calendars for filling in dates, on-screen instructions for each field, easy access to the full instructions, and an option to clear the form and start over. When the employer prints the completed form, a quick response (QR) code is automatically generated, which can be read by most QR readers.

Employers must retain original I-9 forms for three years after the ate of hire, or one year after the date employment ends, whichever is later.  The forms should be stored separately from other personnel files in its own filed labeled Employee I-9.

 

Shop Local and Buy “Local”

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Unfortunately, our politicians and top CEO’s have pushed for trade to China and Mexico for years so Americans are now out of work. Did you know that there is no electric coffee maker made in the US and that the only kitchen appliance made in the US is Viking?

Costco sells Goodyear wiper blades for almost half the price that you will pay on the outside and they are made in the USA.

Hallmark cards – many are made in China. That is also why I don’t buy cards at Hallmark anymore.  They are made in China and are more expensive! I buy them at Dollar Tree – 50 cents each and made in USA.

I have been looking at the blenders available on the Internet. Kitchen Aid is made in the US – top of my list already.

Yesterday I was in Wal Mart looking for a wastebasket. I found some made in China for $6.99. I didn’t want to pay that much so I asked the lady if they had any others. She took me to another department and they had some at $2.50 made in USA. They are just as good. Same as a kitchen rug I needed, I found some made in the USA – and they were $3.00 cheaper.

We are being brainwashed to believe that everything that comes from China and Mexico is cheaper. Not so.

Hose attachments at Lowe’s were all made in China. Ace Hardware – the hose attachments there were made in USA.

Start looking, in our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else – most often, their job.

Some Hershey’s candy is now marked “made in Mexico”.

Colgate toothpaste is made in Mexico – make the switch to Crest.

GE light bulbs – made in Mexico. Store brand – made in the US (Cleveland, OH) and cheaper!

We should read the labels on everything.

It’s way past time to start finding and buying products you use every day that are made right here.

We’ve talked about “shopping local” and now we need to step it up and start buying “local” as in “MADE IN THE (good ole) U S A”.

FLSA Requires New Minimum Salary of $913 Per Week Effective December 1, 2016

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Just a reminder, effective December 1, 2016, the FLSA will require the minimum salary for salaried non-exempt workers to be $913 per week ($1826 bi-weekly) $47,476 per year – up from $455 per week or $23,600 per year.

It is of my opinion that trying to track “salaried non-exempt” is going to be confusing to employers and their employees.

Our recommendation is to change all non-exempt employees who are making less than $913 per week (gross salary) to hourly employees or increase their salary to $913 effective December 1.

Either way, you will be responsible to pay over time for any hours worked over 40 per week unless they are truly salary “exempt” (from overtime) such as outside sales employees, executive job duties such as 1) regularly supervises two or more other employees 2) has management as the primary duty of the position and 3) has genuine input as to hiring, firing, promotions and assignments; or exempt professionals such as teachers, lawyers, doctors, dentists, architects, accountants (but not bookkeepers), registered nurses (but not LPN or CN), engineers, actuaries, scientists, pharmacists, computer technicians, or administrative functions.

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the employer to make the determination of their employee’s status. If in doubt, you can go to the following link http://www.flsa.com/coverage.html for a comprehensive summary of coverage under the FLSA. Keep in mind the document does not have the new minimum pay rates; but the rest of the information is accurate.

Online Social Security Replacement Card Service Is Now Available In Wisconsin

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The Social Security Administration is very excited about a new online service that is available for individuals to request a replacement Social Security card using the “my Social Security” account.

The SSA is advertising that you can avoid a trip to your local Social Security office and is encouraging individuals to share this good news with friends and family.  The service is available by going to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

This is also the site where you can verify your annual earnings each year and get an estimate of your future benefits.  If you currently receive Social Security benefits, you can use your account to change your address and telephone number, change your direct deposit or get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for your taxes.

The hope is that you take advantage of their “many services” available through their “convenient, secure, and free my Social Security Account”.

With that being said, I just received an email from a virus protection provider advising us that the cyber world is continuing to be a great place for miscreants to provide big headaches for anyone and everyone connected to the internet.   They bad guys are now able to include malicious code in Microsoft Word attachments and who knows what / where else we are at risk these days.

Identity theft is also at an all-time high.

So my questions are, do we want / need to be able to get replacement Social Security cards online?  Should we be able to update our banking information, address or telephone numbers on that site?

While I am all in favor of new technologies, I am definitely not in favor of this move by the SSA.