Payroll Answer Book gives payroll professionals guidance on what steps they need to take to comply with the laws and regulations governing payroll. From both a legal and practical standpoint, broad and deep coverage is given to the payroll implications of the wage and hour law and how to handle the federal employment taxation of benefits offered to employees. Detailed information is provided on computing and paying payroll taxes, how to handle garnishments and other deductions, how to determine whether workers are employees or independent contractors, what records must be kept, what the benefits and disadvantages of direct deposit of employees' wages are, how to treat sick pay, how to handle a merger or acquisition, or what to ask when employees work abroad. In addition to answering the full range of payroll questions, the Payroll Answer Book contains abundant examples that illustrate necessary calculations. The 2009 Edition of Payroll Answer Book brings the payroll professional up to date on the latest federal law and regulatory changes. Highlights include: How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the stimulus package) affects Payroll for 2009 Planning opportunities in a merger and acquisition situation to avoid costly pitfalls and to take advantage of favorable elections where allowed Explanation of new Form 941-X How to report and pay state unemployment taxes Enhanced explanation of how an expatriate differs from a local hire New chart summarizing the period for which state income tax withholding records must be kept Suggestions to keep unemployment taxes in check How to make interest-free adjustments A new section on state disability insurance plans The single most important payroll task once an M&A event has been announced Tips on how to deal with PEOs for international workers How Payroll should treat a ""demerger"" ""spin-off"" and ""spin-out"" New alternative to opt out of filing a Form 944 The risk in asking to see an employee's Social Security card How to relieve employees from paying federal income tax on future sick pay payments Cautions on overtime for employees who work in a foreign country How the bankruptcy law affects withholding from an employee's pay for support Explanation of international ACH transactions A workshare program as an alternative to employee layoffs Updated chart and examples illustrating garnishment limits in light of new minimum wage rates How commuting expenses in a company vehicle may be exempt from wages What is wages for state unemployment tax purposes Explanation of Revenue Ruling 2008-25 with regard to mergers The reporting requirements for achievement awards that are treated as wages How an acquired corporation in a statutory merger or consolidation files a final Form 941 and Schedule D Explanation of E-Verify What requirements apply to the special accounting rule When to treat fringe benefits as paid for withholding and reporting purposes Whether voluntary contributions relate to the FUTA tax credit Whether the DOL treats telecommuters different than other employees Recommendations to employers that change their name or address due to a business restructuring How to file a Form 941 for the quarter of merger

Payroll Answer Book gives payroll professionals guidance on what steps they need to take to comply with the laws and regulations governing payroll. From both a legal and practical standpoint, broad and deep coverage is given to the payroll implications of the wage and hour law and how to handle the federal employment taxation of benefits offered to employees. Detailed information is provided on computing and paying payroll taxes, how to handle garnishments and other deductions, how to determine whether workers are employees or independent contractors, what records must be kept, what the benefits and disadvantages of direct deposit of employees' wages are, how to treat sick pay, how to handle a merger or acquisition, or what to ask when employees work abroad. In addition to answering the full range of payroll questions, the Payroll Answer Book contains abundant examples that illustrate necessary calculations. The 2009 Edition of Payroll Answer Book brings the payroll professional up to date on the latest federal law and regulatory changes. Highlights include: How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the stimulus package) affects Payroll for 2009 Planning opportunities in a merger and acquisition situation to avoid costly pitfalls and to take advantage of favorable elections where allowed Explanation of new Form 941-X How to report and pay state unemployment taxes Enhanced explanation of how an expatriate differs from a local hire New chart summarizing the period for which state income tax withholding records must be kept Suggestions to keep unemployment taxes in check How to make interest-free adjustments A new section on state disability insurance plans The single most important payroll task once an M&A event has been announced Tips on how to deal with PEOs for international workers How Payroll should treat a ""demerger"" ""spin-off"" and ""spin-out"" New alternative to opt out of filing a Form 944 The risk in asking to see an employee's Social Security card How to relieve employees from paying federal income tax on future sick pay payments Cautions on overtime for employees who work in a foreign country How the bankruptcy law affects withholding from an employee's pay for support Explanation of international ACH transactions A workshare program as an alternative to employee layoffs Updated chart and examples illustrating garnishment limits in light of new minimum wage rates How commuting expenses in a company vehicle may be exempt from wages What is wages for state unemployment tax purposes Explanation of Revenue Ruling 2008-25 with regard to mergers The reporting requirements for achievement awards that are treated as wages How an acquired corporation in a statutory merger or consolidation files a final Form 941 and Schedule D Explanation of E-Verify What requirements apply to the special accounting rule When to treat fringe benefits as paid for withholding and reporting purposes Whether voluntary contributions relate to the FUTA tax credit Whether the DOL treats telecommuters different than other employees Recommendations to employers that change their name or address due to a business restructuring How to file a Form 941 for the quarter of merger