Why Employers Need to Pay Attention

When the Affordable Care Act first passed, most self-insured employers thought they wouldn’t need to pay much attention to the new health insurance exchanges (or marketplaces) created by the law.

Employers Push Health Care Acounts

As millions of working Americans open their employer’s health care packets this month, many will be encountering a new option: high-deductible plans linked to health savings accounts that come loaded with tax benefits.

New Case Revives Hopes for Refunds

The United States Supreme Court has granted certiorari to review the Sixth Circuit’s decision in Quality Stores, which held that severance payments in connection with a reduction in force (RIF) are exempt from Social Security (FICA) taxes. United State…

DOL Issues Same-Sex Marriage Guidance

Details continue to emerge on how the federal government will implement the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. On Sept. 18, 2013, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefit Security A…

Rules Sought for Questionnaires

A federal lawmaker is asking the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate employer wellness programs that seek intimate health information from employees, and to issue guidelines preventing employers from using such programs to discrimina…

Over-Withholding of Same-Sex Spouse Benefits

On Sept. 23, 2013, the IRS issued Notice 2013-61. This notice provides a special process for employers to make refund claims or internal adjustments of FICA and federal income tax (FIT) that was withheld or paid in connection with same-sex spouse benef…