Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

The “Nanny Tax” Must Be Paid for More Than Just Nannies

You may have heard of the “nanny tax.” But even if you don’t employ a nanny, it may apply to you. Hiring a housekeeper, gardener or other household employee (who isn’t an independent contractor) may make you liable for federal income and other taxes. You may also have state tax obligations.

If you employ a household worker, you aren’t required to withhold federal income taxes from pay. But you may choose to withhold if the worker requests it. In that case, ask the worker to fill out a Form W-4. However, you may be required to withhold Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes and to pay federal unemployment (FUTA) tax.

FICA and FUTA tax

In 2019, you must withhold and pay FICA taxes if your household worker earns cash wages of $2,100 or more (excluding the value of food and lodging). If you reach the threshold, all the wages (not just the excess) are subject to FICA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|July 23rd, 2019|employer, individuals, tax, tax planning|0 Comments

The Minimum Wage is to Rise in Sonoma, California

The minimum wage is to rise in Sonoma, California. The city of Sonoma will gradually increase the hourly minimum wage for both small and large employers. Here’s the schedule of hourly rates for employers with up to 25 workers: $12.50 on Jan. 1, 2020; $14.00 on Jan. 1, 2021; $15.00 on Jan. 1, 2022; and $16.00 on Jan. 1, 2023. For larger employers, the schedule of hourly rates is as follows: $13.50 on Jan. 1, 2020; $15.00 on Jan. 1, 2021; $16.00 on Jan. 1, 2022; and $17.00 in 2023. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, the minimum wage rate for all employees will increase by 3.5%, or a percentage set by a separate Council of the City of Sonoma resolution (whichever is less). Contact your Linkenheimer CPA with your questions.

By Linkenheimer LLP|July 15th, 2019|business, employer|0 Comments

2019 Q3 Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines for Businesses and Other Employers

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the third quarter of 2019. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements.

July 31

Report income tax withholding and FICA taxes for the second quarter of 2019 (Form 941) and pay any tax due. (See the exception below, under “August 12.”)
File a 2018 calendar-year retirement plan report (Form 5500 or Form 5500-EZ) or request an extension.

August 12

Report income tax withholding and FICA taxes for the second quarter of 2019 (Form 941), if you deposited on time and in full all of the associated taxes due.

September 16

If a calendar-year C corporation, pay the third installment of 2019 estimated income taxes.
If a calendar-year S corporation or partnership that filed an automatic six-month extension:
- File a 2018 income tax return (Form 1120S, Form 1065 or Form 1065-B) and pay any tax, interest and penalties due.
- Make contributions for 2018 to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.

If you have any questions about upcoming deadlines, please contact […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|June 19th, 2019|business, employer, tax deadlines|0 Comments

Hiring This Summer? You May Qualify for a Valuable Tax Credit.

Is your business hiring this summer? If the employees come from certain “targeted groups,” you may be eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). This includes youth whom you bring in this summer for two or three months. The maximum credit employers can claim is $2,400 to $9,600 for each eligible employee.

10 targeted groups

An employer is generally eligible for the credit only for qualified wages paid to members of 10 targeted groups:

Qualified members of families receiving assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program,
Qualified veterans,
Designated community residents who live in Empowerment Zones or rural renewal counties,
Qualified ex-felons,
Vocational rehabilitation referrals,
Qualified summer youth employees,
Qualified members of families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,
Qualified Supplemental Security Income recipients,
Long-term family assistance recipients, and
Qualified individuals who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or longer.

For each employee, there’s also a minimum requirement that the employee have completed at least 120 hours of service for the employer, and that employment begin before January 1, 2020.

Also, the credit isn’t available for certain employees who are related to the employer or work more than 50% of the time outside of a trade or business of the employer (for […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|June 18th, 2019|business, employer, tax credit|0 Comments

Employers: Be Aware (or Beware) of a Harsh Payroll Tax Penalty

If federal income tax and employment taxes (including Social Security) are withheld from employees’ paychecks and not handed over to the IRS, a harsh penalty can be imposed. To make matters worse, the penalty can be assessed personally against a “responsible individual.”

If a business makes payroll tax payments late, there are escalating penalties. And if an employer fails to make them, the IRS will crack down hard. With the “Trust Fund Recovery Penalty,” also known as the “100% Penalty,” the IRS can assess the entire unpaid amount against a responsible person who willfully fails to comply with the law.

Some business owners and executives facing a cash flow crunch may be tempted to dip into the payroll taxes withheld from employees. They may think, “I’ll send the money in later when it comes in from another source.” Bad idea!

No corporate protection

The corporate veil won’t shield corporate officers in these cases. Unlike some other liability protections that a corporation or limited liability company may have, business owners and executives can’t escape personal liability for payroll tax debts.

Once the IRS asserts the penalty, it can file a lien or take levy or seizure action […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|June 6th, 2019|employer, social security, tax, tax planning|0 Comments

We’re Hiring- Staff Accountant and Controller!

Interested in joining a fun, vibrant work culture that puts people first? Want to make an impact on the community, work together as a team to solve client’s financial needs, drink copious amounts of really good, local, organic coffee? Looking to join a company that has won Best Place to Work for 10 years in a row?

We are always looking to add the right folks to our team. If you are interested in a career in accounting, have your CPA license, enjoy a team approach, we might be your match made in heaven.

It’s not all work here either. We serve the community together, build bonds on our annual team retreats and celebrate our successes with our families on annual, company wide vacations. Recent firm trips have included Spain, Croatia, Disneyland and Alaska. We don’t strive for work life balance, we live it and champion for it. We appreciate everyone’s contributions- big or small. Sound enticing? Interested in working at a not-so-typical CPA firm? Let us know if our creative accounting culture might be right for you.

For more info on the open positions we have, visit www.linkcpa.com/join-our-team/

By Linkenheimer LLP|May 22nd, 2019|best place to work, cpa firm, employer, firm|0 Comments

Consider a Roth 401(k) Plan — And Make Sure Employees Use It

Roth 401(k) accounts have been around for 13 years now. Studies show that more employers are offering them each year. A recent study by the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) found that Roth 401(k)s are now available at 70% of employer plans, up from 55.6% of plans in 2016.

However, despite the prevalence of employers offering Roth 401(k)s, most employees aren’t choosing to contribute to them. The PSCA found that only 20% of participants who have access to a Roth 401(k) made contributions to one in 2017. Perhaps it’s because they don’t understand them.

If you offer a Roth 401(k) or you’re considering one, educate your employees about the accounts to boost participation.

A 401(k) with a twist

As the name implies, these plans are a hybrid — taking some characteristics from Roth IRAs and some from employer-sponsored 401(k)s.

An employer with a 401(k), 403(b) or governmental 457(b) plan can offer designated Roth 401(k) accounts.

As with traditional 401(k)s, eligible employees can elect to defer part of their salaries to Roth 401(k)s, subject to annual limits. The employer may choose to provide matching contributions. For 2019, a participating employee can contribute up to $19,000 ($25,000 if […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|May 22nd, 2019|401k, deduction, employer, ira, roth ira|0 Comments

Employee vs. Independent Contractor: How Should You Handle Worker Classification?

Many employers prefer to classify workers as independent contractors to lower costs, even if it means having less control over a worker’s day-to-day activities. But the government is on the lookout for businesses that classify workers as independent contractors simply to reduce taxes or avoid their employee benefit obligations.

Why it matters

When your business classifies a worker as an employee, you generally must withhold federal income tax and the employee’s share of Social Security and Medicare taxes from his or her wages. Your business must then pay the employer’s share of these taxes, pay federal unemployment tax, file federal payroll tax returns and follow other burdensome IRS and U.S. Department of Labor rules.

You may also have to pay state and local unemployment and workers’ compensation taxes and comply with more rules. Dealing with all this can cost a bundle each year.

On the other hand, with independent contractor status, you don’t […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|May 2nd, 2019|employer, irs, tax|0 Comments

Are you a California Employer Who Must File State Copies of W2s and 1099s?

Are you a California employer who must file state copies of W2s and 1099s? Returns that are paper-filed with the IRS will be forwarded to the CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB), so there’s no need for you to also file with the FTB. Generally, the IRS and FTB have the same filing requirements. If you have 250 or more returns, electronic filing with the FTB is required. The e-filing due date is 3/31/19. If you use the IRS Combined Federal/State Filing Program, only one filing is necessary. The IRS will forward original or corrected data to the FTB. If you have questions about filing, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|March 20th, 2019|1099, business, CA tax, california, employer, ftb, w2|0 Comments

California Grants Disaster Relief to Certain Employers

California grants disaster relief to certain employers. The CA Employment Development Dept. is giving affected employers extra time to file state payroll reports and to deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. This applies to employers in Amador, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties who were directly affected by storms that began on 2/25/19. These employers may request a 60-day extension of time to accomplish these tasks. Requests must be received within 60 days of the original payment or return due dates. If you have questions about this or other filing deadlines, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA. For details: https://bit.ly/2LyrD38

By Linkenheimer LLP|March 13th, 2019|business, california, employer, extension|0 Comments

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