Top 11 regulatory changes for small biz in 2011
The start of the New Year ushers in a series of new regulatory, compliance and legislative changes that could potentially affect every small business.
Compliance
IRS issues withholding details for payroll tax cut
The Internal Revenue Service recently released instructions to help employers implement the 2011 cut in payroll taxes that were included as part of the tax cut legislation passed by Congress, along with new income-tax withholding tables that employers will use during 2011.
Legal Alert: Policies, practices on lactation breaks must reflect PPACA
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Reconciliation Act includes a provision that amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to provide nonexempt nursing mothers unpaid breaks to express breast milk in a private place other than a restroom for up to one year after the child's birth.
IRS provides guidance on Roth rollovers
The Internal Revenue Service has published guidance relating to rollovers from 401(k) plans to designated Roth accounts in the same plan.
Transfers to, from foreign countries raise retirement and tax issues
In the current global economy, many employers are faced with difficult questions regarding foreign transfers.
DOL proposes rule to amend target-date fund disclosures
The Department of Labors Employee Benefits Security Administration issued a proposed rule aimed at providing participants in retirement plans with more information on how target-date funds operate.
Legal Alert: EEOC issues final GINA regs
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently released final regulations implementing Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). Although GINA was effective Nov. 21, 2009, these regulations do not take effect until Jan. 10, 2011.
Legal Alert: 403(b) plan compliance issues unearthed
In the past, unless a 403(b) program (or plan) was subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, it had no documentation requirements and, even if subject to ERISA, very few reporting obligations.
Legal Alert: Beauty and The Bias
The controversy over discrimination in employment based on appearance is heating up again. Newsweek recently reported that 57% of hiring managers said qualified but unattractive candidates will have a harder time landing a job.
HHS seeks input on PHR privacy
The Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Trade Commission will hold a day-long roundtable discussion, which will also be accessible via a live Web cast, to solicit industry input on privacy and security requirements for personal health records and related service providers.
Tax break on tuition benefits remain up in the air
As Congress decides whether employers should have a permanent tax break on tuition benefits, some college-educated workers admit they should have majored in something different and want to head back to the classroom.
Benefits Think EBSA plays hokey pokey with proposed PPACA rule
You put your proposed rule in, you take your proposed rule out, you put your proposed rule in and you shake it all about.
Benefits Think Before you e-file your Form 5500, read these tips
After a less-than-gangbusters success in working to make patient records paperless, the federal government switched its focus to the Department of Labor agencies to take up the paperless mantle.
Benefits Think The government is giving away money!
Thats right, pros. Weve been so caught up in health care reform that Ive barely touched on the HIRE Act (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment) and what it means for you.
Benefits Think Report offers pros the lowdown on litigation
I know you wish you had a crystal ball, magic mirror or other storybook-like device that could show you if/when an employee was going to sue your company and for what.