Health Insurance Reform Bills Enacted
On March 23, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, then followed up on March 30 by signing the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which added some provisions and amended others. Among other things, the bills roll out a variety of new reporting requirements and increase the Medicare tax rate for high earners.
Read an article on how these and other provisions will impact payroll and related operations.
Register for APA's Webinar On Demand, "Health Care Reform - It Does Impact Payroll!"
Obama Signs Jobs Bill With Social Security Tax 'Holiday' for Employers
On March 18, President Obama signed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, one day after it received final approval by the U.S. Senate. The HIRE Act creates a limited social security tax "holiday" for the employer share of social security tax on wages paid to new hires who have been unemployed for 60 days and a separate business tax credit of up to $1,000 if those employees are employed for at least 52 weeks. Read an article on the significant impact the HIRE Act will have on payroll processing, depositing, and reporting.
Download an article on APA's efforts to ease the bill's implementation.
Register for APA's Webinar On Demand, "How the HIRE Act Impacts Your Payroll Processing."
COBRA Premium Discount
Deadline Extended
The Continuing Extension Act of 2010 extends the deadline for employee terminations qualifying for COBRA premium assistance from February 28 to May 31, 2010, while also extending emergency unemployment benefits. Download the new law.
Employment Laws Assistance
The Department of Labor has developed a series of online advisors that help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities under federal employment laws such as pay and overtime, workplace poster requirements, health benefits, and more. Consult the elaws Advisors at the Department of Labor's website.
