Update on Schedule...

Week Two on the new schedule, and I expect this schedule will remain pretty consistent for a while.  I will be available during the evening for a short time, I expect anywhere between 5:30 and 7:30... if I don't answer, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.  I will also be available for most of every weekend, but will be in and out of the office so ditto on the message.  You can always call my cell number 536-0969 if you have something urgent.  I do expect to be available for at least one day during the week in the future, and will post when that or any other changes occur.
Hope you are enjoying your October!

New Office Hours...

Greetings Everyone!

This is where I will attempt to keep you updated on my availability over the next few weeks, until my new schedule settles into something of a routine.

For the first week - beginning Monday October 3rd - I am expecting to be available only weeknights after 6:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, the 7th and 8th.

I will try to check my emails once during the day around noon, so that is likely going to be the best way to reach me.

If you have an emergency, you can try my cell phone and I will call you back as soon as it is possible.  Hopefully there won't be any of these for the first week until I have gotten my bearings, but please do call me if you have a problem.

Stay tuned, and thank you.

For the record....

Just for the record and in preparation for the next release, I am recording this 'News Update' from Beckett's website posted Sept 27th 2010 to refer back to the yearly program changes made.
Monday Sept 27th
QuickBooks 2011 Launches Today!
Possibly one of the most exciting upgrades I have seen, QuickBooks 2011 products go on sale today.  A few of the new features include Faster startup (no more twiddling your thumbs while you wait for you company file to open), a Search feature (unlike Find), a Customer snapshot screen, on screen information on the Create Invoices and Enter Bills about the Customer/Vendor, Batch Invoicing, Intuit Payment Network, multiple email accounts, and for some the BIG new app isn't quite yet available - QuickBooks Mobile or QuickBooks Connect.
I plan to blog in more detail about the new features, so tune in.  Watched the first of four Webinars today, so will keep updating.

Intuit Payroll Rate Changes

Well, isn't this just the season for changes...

Intuit has announced rate changes that will become effective in August and September of this year.

When it is time for each of you to renew, I invite you to give me a call so we can discuss what options you have and which may be the best for you.

Intuit has made changes, improvements, and additions to their payroll service offerings that may not have been available when you initially began using payroll, so before you renew you may want to explore what's new.

I look forward to hearing from you!

FUTA Rate Reduction July 1st 2011

The current FUTA rate of 6.2% (which has been in effect a long time) includes a temporary surtax of .2% that expires June 30, 2011. (Unless Congress extends it, which doesn't seem to be the case.)

If you get the maximum credit of 5.4%, this has always meant a rate of .8% FUTA.  So, with the .2% reduction - effective July 1, 2011 you will have a FUTA tax rate of .6%.

I have run a July payroll in QuickBooks, and confirmed that the rate did indeed calculate at .6% correctly.

I realize that this is not something you may notice, but wanted to keep you informed.  Unless there is a change, this will complicate the 940 form at the end of the year... but we won't worry about that for now.

IRS Increases Mileage Rate

Greetings All
I do like passing along good news, no matter how small...

IRS has increased the standard mileage rate for the final six months of this year.  The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2011, through Dec 31, 2011.  This is an increase of 4.5 cents from the 51 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2011.

For the full article, click on the link below.

IRS Increases Mileage Rate

That's all for now!

Hurrah! I am working!

Hurrah!!! -- I am happily at work in home office today.  Short commute meant being 'at work' dressed, fed and ready for the day before 8 a.m.  Life is good.

So, although the move isn't totally complete, the important stuff is all moved and set up, and will whittle-away at the rest - have until the 31st to wrap up all of the little stuff.

So, just wanted to say - "I am here, and it's good!"

Feel free to call...

Bec

Moving progress...

The 'Move' is progressing on schedule so far... The office will still be closed on Friday May 20th while Brighthouse moves/installs internet and phone services... phone and fax numbers will remain the same.  It is going as well as a move can go I suppose (knock on wood), so I expect to be fully operational on Monday the 23rd.

In the meantime, if you would like to update your records the new mailing address is:
PO Box 500091, Malabar FL  32950.

A Change is Coming...

Greetings All....


A change is in progress!  The office at Norman Street will be closing (after ten good years), and I will be working from an office at home once again.


This is good news for most of you, and some may not even notice a difference.  After the move, I will be available more hours of the day, be more flexible in my work schedule, and a bit more free to travel to visit your locations when needed.


I plan to be closed on Friday May 20th.  Phone and internet services will be unavailable for a few hours that day.  If you need to reach me on Friday, please call my cell number 321-536-0969.  I believe I will be able to monitor the calls coming in on the business line and return your call, but I will be unable to receive any faxes during that day, and probably part of Saturday as well.  Monday the 23rd I should be fully operational and ready for work again.


I will be sending out notices with location and mailing address changes in the next week or two.  In the meantime, please give me a call if you have any questions or concerns.


I am looking forward to the completed change, and think we will all enjoy the perks!


Thanks!  Bec

Nearly Good News re 1099 reporting

Nearly good news about the 1099 Reporting:

President Expected To Sign Bill Repealing Expanded 1099 Requirements

On April 5, the Senate by a vote of 87-12 approved H.R. 4, the “Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011.” The bill, which was previously passed by the House on March 3 by a vote of 314-112, would retroactively repeal the new and unpopular Form 1099 information reporting rules. The White House has indicated that the President will sign H.R. 4 into law. A press release dated April 5 declares that “Small businesses are the engine of our economy and eliminating the 1099 reporting requirement is the right thing to do.”

Beware of new trap...

Beware the new 'trap' in the mail with the heading 'Annual Minutes Requirement Statement - Directors and Shareholders'
While the facts are true about holding annual meetings and keeping minutes being required, if you continue to read, the final sentence says 'This product has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency and this offer is not being made by an agency of the government.'
In other words, even though the form looks very official, and the laws are real, you are not required to fill out the form or to send your $125.00 to Compliance Services, as they have nothing to do with any government agency.
That's my tip for the day!

Labor Law Posters

You may be receiving 'pitches' from various sources concerning Labor Law posters that your business is required to post, advising you to purchase products to comply with the laws (esp Florida).

While there is nothing wrong with purchasing these products, I want to let everyone know that you are not required to purchase them, and I believe all required posters are available free of charge from various government agencies.

I found the following link http://www.floridajobs.org/workforce/posters.html which I think would be helpful, and near the top of the page, there is a link to ' eLaws poster advisor " which asks a series of questions about your business, and give a list of what posters you are required to post, with information on how and where to get them.  


I would like to hear your thoughts and experiences with this site.  Thanks!

Training Grants and Withholding Calculator

A couple of items of interest from the latest General Ledger published by AIPB (www.aipb.org).

National Emergency Grants (NEGs) - Covers 50-90% of the hourly/salaried rate for on-the-job training if the new hire is a "dislocated worker" for firms of up to 50 employees.  "Dislocated" includes those laid off or notified they will be; those eligible for UI or who have exhausted their UI benefits; self-employed with no work due to economic factors or a natural disaster -- even displaced homemakers no longer supported by another family member.  There are several different kinds of NEGs.  Details at www.doleta.gov/neg/.
Registered apprenticeships.  Tax benefits and work force grants cover up to 75% of eligible wages for firms of up to 100 employees for combined on-the-job training and apprenticeships for 1,100+ occupations.  Benefits vary by state.  For details, contact your Regional Office of Apprenticeship (OA) at www.doleta.gov/oa/regdirlist.cfm or get in touch with your state apprenticeship agencies at www.doleta.gov/oa/stateagencies.cfm.
Workforce Investment Act Funding offers per diem subsidies for combined on-the-job training and classroom education while the new hire collects UI payments.  Details at the url tinyurl.com/yfhzjje (ignore the warning signals when you put this url in the browser; this is a perfectly safe page.)


Also:
When employees ask about how to complete their W-4's for 2011, you can direct them to www.irs.gov.  Once there, type 'calculator', click Withholding Calculator.  On a series of simple screens, they will be asked to check various boxes and will then know how to complete their W-4.  It would be doubly helpful, it appears, for employees with more than one job and would provide the best way to complete the W-4 for each.

1099 Changes in 2012 - Article

I found this article re changes to 1099 Reporting scheduled for 2012 interesting and wanted to share.  I know there are lots of questions.  I hope you enjoy it. http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/05/smallbusiness/1099_health_care_tax_change/

Publication 15 (Circular E) Employer Tax Guide, Federal Withholding

Publication 15 (Circular E) Employer Tax Guide is now available at www.irs.gov.

I would also like to share the fact that of the payrolls I have run so far for 2011, some employees net pay increases from last year, while others decrease.  It seems federal tax withholding for many has increased this year.  So, even though everyone gets the two percent reduction in their social security deduction, not all will have a bigger paycheck - some will be smaller this year.

W-4 Availability

W-4 forms for 2011 are now available at www.irs.gov.