News

On May 5, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a second Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for 2022 that finalized the remainder of the standards included in the proposed notice issued at the end of 2020. The first final 2022 NBPP was published Jan. 19, 2021. This second NBPP…

Companies may need to work with professional employer organizations (PEOs) to obtain contract workers for several reasons—whether it’s to account for their seasonal production periods, fulfill large contracts or secure contract-to-hire positions. Yet, before using a PEO to acquire employees, it is important for employers to understand what the responsibilities are for each party involved…

Attracting and retaining employees is a constant struggle for organizations of any size, but it’s particularly so for small businesses. With smaller teams, employers need to hold onto talent whenever possible. And that can be a challenge, especially when resources are scarce as they are currently amid the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s…

On May 10, 2021, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2021-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2022. The IRS is required to publish these limits by June 1 of each year. Eligible individuals with self-only HDHP coverage will be able to contribute $3,650 to…

On May 10, 2021, the IRS released guidance on the taxability of dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs) for 2021 and 2022, clarifying that amounts attributable to previously issued carryover and extended grace period relief generally are not taxable. Carryovers of unused DCAP amounts typically are not permitted, although a 2½ month grace period is allowed.…

Summer is right around the corner and with it are thoughts of using some of our PTO for getaways and family vacations. As much as we look forward to taking some much-needed time off, it can also add stress that takes away some of that enjoyment. To help manage those additional tasks we have created…

Recently, President Joe Biden issued a call for employers to take additional steps to help get their employees and communities vaccinated against COVID-19. As part of that effort, president Biden announced a paid leave tax credit for small- and medium-sized businesses. This credit will allow eligible employers to fully offset the cost of paid leave…

For a growing number of employers, voluntary accident insurance plans may play a part in rounding out employee benefits packages to help employees pay for unexpected costs. Accidents can happen to anyone—and the reality is that accidents do happen. In fact, more than 80 million people in the United States seek medical treatment for injuries…

On April 2, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Notice 2021-23 to provide guidance for employers claiming the employee retention credit (ERC) for the first two quarters of 2021. The ERC was originally created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and has since been modified and extended by other…

On Feb. 12, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) withdrew two proposed rules it previously issued in January 2021 on wellness programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA). Overview of the Proposed Rules The proposed rules were issued in response to a federal court decision vacating…