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Is it time for an employee engagement satisfaction survey?
How would you define an engaged workforce? You might say it’s an environment where everyone involved feels valued and supported. Workplace
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Quiet Vacationing: A Question of Company Culture
First quiet quitting, now quiet vacationing. What is going on? This is a good question with complicated answers. Quiet vacationing, also called
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Is This Your Situation: Are Financial Forecasts Just the Beginning?
Why isn’t it good enough to simply meet your forecast? Unless your company is doing absolutely everything right and there’s no room for
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Choosing A Business Checking Account
Small businesses have different needs than individual investors, and banks have created a wide range of financial services and products to
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Understanding Regulatory Requirements in Human Resources
Table of Contents Introduction Key Areas of HR Regulatory Compliance Hiring and Recruitment Wage and Hour Regulations Benefits Administration
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Start Your New Hires Off Right With a Smooth Onboarding Process
Table of Contents Introduction Pre-Boarding Steps First Day Agenda Training and Development Plan Setting Clear Expectations and Goals Continuous
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Advanced Payroll Solutions for Companies Big and Small
Table of Contents Introduction Features of Modern Payroll Solutions Choosing the Right Payroll Provider BlueStone Is Here to Help Key Takeaways For
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Top 11 Tips for Effective Talent Retention
Table of Contents Introduction Tip 1: Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits Tip 2: Provide Opportunities for Growth and Development Tip 3:
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New Noncompete Agreement Rule May Impact Your Business
Since the Federal Trade Commission ‘s (FTC) January 2023 proposal to ban noncompete agreements, followed by its Final Rule approval on April 23,
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The Benefits of Interim Practice Management
The benefits of interim practice management are many. Hiring the wrong person into a senior leadership position is one of the most damaging and
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Mastering the Art of Negotiating Payor Contracts in Healthcare
Updated on 6/28/24 In the intricate realm of healthcare, the art of negotiating payor contracts is a skill that can significantly impact the
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Bringing on a New Provider? The Importance of Not Waiting For Credentialing
Updated on 6/28/24 What is credentialing? In a healthcare setting, physician credentialing is the formal process of verifying the professional
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Summer Due Diligence Compliance Checklist
Maintaining and updating your compliance program is an important part of any healthcare organization. Making sure your organization is current on
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Choosing a Successor: Eight Tips
It’s not easy to decide to step down from your position leading a company. But when the time is right and the decision must be made, how do you
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Breaking Down Employee Breaks
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers generally do not have to provide short breaks or lunch periods to employees. However, the Act places
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Getting Offboarding Right
Like other HR branches, offboarding is evolving drastically. Offboarding is no longer about creating a list of administrative tasks and checking all
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What Types of Accounting Services Can You Outsource?
Updated on 5/24/24 Maintain accurate records; keep track of your company’s finances, bookkeeping, payroll, management accounting, taxes,
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Is Your HR Department Meeting the PCORI Fees Deadline?
Updated on 5/17/24 The Deadline to Pay PCORI Fees is Monday, July 31, 2024. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an
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Why Your Organization Needs A Dedicated Employee Onboarding Program
Updated on 5/17/24 In today’s fast-paced business world, every organization is constantly searching for ways to increase efficiency and
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Maryland Adopts Pay Transparency Requirements
Maryland has become the latest in a growing list of states to adopt pay transparency requirements, with our governor recently signing the Maryland
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New Timeline for Maryland’s Forthcoming Paid Leave Program
The Maryland General Assembly recently passed a bill making some changes to the Time to Care Act (the law that set the stage for Maryland’s
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Top 5 Tips for Hiring Managers
While the landscape for businesses looks a little wobbly lately, with a post-COVID recession looming and an uncertain stock market, one bright spot
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Alternative Business Structures That Might Be Right for Your Company
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many aspects of business have changed, including (in some sectors) the increasing availability of private
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Is an ESOP the Right Choice for Your Company?
Employee stock ownership plans have been in the headlines recently, but they have been around for decades. ESOPs are qualified defined contribution
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Monitoring Your Employees’ Productivity
Worker productivity has been in the headlines recently. One reason is the easy access employers have to the many technologies that can monitor
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Outsourced Accounting and Due Diligence
Due diligence is a deep-dive investigation relating to compliance. It can be an essential function to help you understand your potential liabilities.
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How HR Should Handle Employee Leave of Absence Requests
Employees have always enthusiastically embraced generous leave policies. Surveys have found that many respondents even prefer additional leave to a
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Top HR Cybersecurity Threats and Tips For Prevention
More and more employers are automating their human resources processes. Many also integrate their HR processes with interrelated activities, like
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How To Improve and Streamline HR Processes: A Detailed Guide
Human resources serves as the backbone of any organization, responsible for everything from talent acquisition to employee well-being. Efficient HR
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Is This Your Situation: You Need To Get Information From Your Financials
If you don’t understand your financials, you are impeding your ability to grow and prosper. What should you learn about your financial
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What To Know About Business Financial Ratios
How do you measure how robust your business is? One of the key ways is by looking at financial ratios, which can be grouped into four categories.
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What To Know About FSAs For 2024
The IRS has raised the contribution limit by $150 for these accounts. FSA participants can now contribute up to $3,200 through payroll deductions
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What To Know About Onboarding New Employees
Do you want to help your new employees have a positive experience, setting them up for long-term success? Onboarding is a comprehensive process that
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What Is Fractional HR? An In-Depth Look
Fractional HR services are a modern approach to human capital that allows companies to leverage HR expertise on a part-time basis, providing a
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Intro to Business Deductions
To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary — common and accepted in your industry — and necessary, helpful and appropriate for
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What Will Employee Retention Look Like in the Post-Pandemic Workplace?
Who could have predicted the disruption and change 2020 brought to the way we work? Now that we are starting to look ahead, past the loss and the
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The Role of an HR Consultant in Developing Effective Management Techniques
Table of Contents Introduction How HR Consultants Identify Pain Points How HR Consultants Cultivate Strong Pipelines How HR Consultants Transform
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Four Considerations For Small Business HR Growth
The consensus among HR leaders is that once you’ve reached the 20-employee mark, it is definitely time to hire a dedicated HR professional. If your
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3 Signs You Have Outgrown Your Employee Management Solution
Employee management software is pivotal to the success and overall flow of workforce management. At the very least, the employee management software
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Why Do Small Businesses Hire Firms to Provide HR Advisory Services?
The foundation of any good company, whether a big multinational corporation or a small business, is only as strong as the people who work there. From
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HR Compliance Audit – What to Know, Where to Start
If you’re responsible for human resources in your company, then you know that staying compliant with state and federal laws is a never-ending
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How To Achieve Excellence in HR Service Delivery
The human resource function is responsible for providing services as well as support to employees during their time working for a company, from
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Top 8 Reasons For Why You Should Use Outsourced Accounting Services
Outsourced accounting services are not the right fit for everybody, but it might be a perfect fit for you. Even so, you may be wondering “Why
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Why a Good Employee Handbook Is Important (and Often Overlooked)
Table of Contents Introduction What is an Employee Handbook? Key Components of an Effective Employee Handbook Benefits of Having a Well-Crafted
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Essential HR Compliance Checklists For Employee Management, Benefits, And Payroll Processing
Human resources, employee benefits and payroll processing functions are separate yet intertwined, and HR compliance checklists are essential to
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Choosing a Business Structure: C Corps, LLCs, PCs and S Corp
How to structure your business is one of the first, and most important, considerations a business must make. Following are details about four
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New Independent Contractor Rules: Do They Affect Your Employees?
The Department of Labor’s final rule for employee or independent contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act rescinds the 2021
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Think Your Business Doesn’t Need an Employee Handbook? Think Again!
The employee handbook is no longer viewed as just a communication tool for employers. It’s now regarded as a protection strategy as well. The
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How To Hire An HR Consultant: What To Consider Before Hiring An HR Consulting Firm
If you’re like most business owners, you don’t have a lot of time to spare. That’s why it’s important to do your research before hiring an HR
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HR Compliance Checklist for a Successful Human Resources Audit
When it comes to HR compliance, businesses must take an active approach to ensure they meet all necessary regulations and requirements. Neglecting HR
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Decoding Employee Engagement: Comprehensive Methods of Measurement
Table of Contents Introduction Why Measure Employee Engagement? Traditional Methods of Measuring Engagement Digital Approaches to Engagement
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Payroll Tax Rates and Contribution Limits for 2024
Understanding payroll tax rates and contribution limits is crucial for both employees and employers as it directly impacts financial planning,
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The Importance of Confidentiality in HR
Human resource professionals are held to the highest standards when it comes to confidentiality. To see why, you only need to look at the type of
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Employee Engagement by the Numbers: Unveiling Critical Statistics
Table of Contents Introduction The Importance of Employee Engagement Statistics Global Engagement Trends Engagement Rates by Industry Factors
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The 1099 Story: Which Version Should You Be Using?
As each calendar year draws to a close, many businesses have to think about their tax filing responsibilities. It can be confusing to figure out
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Form I-9 Basics
Form I-9 has been modernized, allowing E-Verify employers to remotely examine I-9 documents. All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 for everyone
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Artificial Intelligence Enters the Tax Realm
Artificial intelligence offers a range of services to leverage for clients. Automation of mundane tasks and generation of insights and personalized
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Avoid Incomplete or Disorganized Records
Every employer covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act must keep records for each covered nonexempt worker. There’s no required form, but the
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Is This Your Situation: Figuring Out What Expenses You Can Deduct?
“You can deduct that — it’s a business expense” is often casually tossed around, as if it gives business managers carte blanche
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More Will Have to E-File in New Year
New rules, issued in early 2023, change a wide range of filing requirements. The goal, according to the IRS, is to increase e-filing without undue
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80 Innovative Employee Engagement Strategies To Boost And Empower Your Team
Employee engagement is more than just a buzzword; it’s a critical factor that can make or break a company’s success. High levels of
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How To Create a Raise Policy
In most cases, employees anticipate receiving a raise after working a certain amount of time at your firm — usually, six months to a year. Top
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Don’t Just Check the Box on Annual Performance Reviews
Performance management is a holistic approach that assists organizations in accomplishing their goals and objectives by continuously monitoring and
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Is This Your Situation: You Need To Get Information From Your Financials
If you don’t understand your financials, you are impeding your ability to grow and prosper. What should you learn about your financial
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The Problems with Incomplete and Disorganized Records
An unorganized and inefficient payroll process is a recipe for eventual disaster. If you rely on paper processes, both manual data entries and a
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Is the Hybrid Work Schedule Here To Stay?
The hybrid experiment has gained traction. By 2023, Gallup research indicated the numbers among U.S. workers had stabilized at about 28% performing
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New 1099 Portal Helps with Upcoming Paper Filing Restrictions
The IRS has announced that starting in 2024, it is going to “reduce the 250-return threshold enacted in prior regulations to generally require
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Learn The Rules About Disability Discrimination
The Americans with Disabilities Act defends the rights of people with disabilities in the context of employment. Title I of the ADA pertains to
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Gifts for Employees: The Thought That Counts
Managers reap benefits from giving presents to their teams: Recipients may feel a morale boost and increased motivation to improve productivity. It
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Business Succession in the Post-COVID-19 World
This is not the first or last time you will hear this: COVID-19 changed everything. But it has had a specific impact on business owners who are
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What is keeping CFOs up at night?
Today’s CFOs face many concerns, which can be reduced to three overarching issues: The uncertain state of the economy, which is affecting
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Why You Should Prioritize Succession Planning
What is succession planning? Succession planning is the process of identifying and developing employees to fill key leadership positions within a
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Watch Out for Fake ERC Plans
ou may be aware of widely circulated promotions — ads on radio and the internet — touting refunds involving Employee Retention Credits. The IRS
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The IRS Is Pushing Its ID.me Accounts
What is ID.me? ID.me simplifies how individuals prove and share their identities online. The idea is that you’ll have to verify your identity
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Hiring Temporary Help at the Office
Approximately 3 million temporary and contract workers are hired each year in the U.S., and managers have long relied on temps to keep their
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Cannabis in the Workplace – How to Manage Maryland’s New Cannabis Laws
Cannabis in the Workplace – How to Manage Maryland’s New Cannabis Laws Beginning on July 1, 2023, Maryland will legalize the recreational
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Why It’s Important to Prioritize Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Psychological safety is the belief that you can share your thoughts, opinions, mistakes, and ideas without fear of negative consequences. It is a
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401(k) Plan Self-Audit: Do Not Overlook These 6 Areas
Under IRS and Department of Labor rules, employers whose 401(k) plans have over 120 eligible participants on the first day of the plan year must hire
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How and When To File Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) Data
Section 204 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 requires insurance companies and employer-based health plans to report on their
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COVID19 PHE Ending May 11th 2023: Helpful Tips for Medical Practices to Manage the Transition
As HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced in the letter to U.S. Governors, the COVID-19 PHE expired at the end of May 11, 2023. Department of Health
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Covid National Emergency Ending May 11th: What HR Compliance Needs To Change and How Can An HR Consulting Solution Help
On Jan. 30, 2023, the Biden Administration announced the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency declarations were ending on May 11,
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Payroll Tax Rates and Contribution Limits for 2023
Below are federal payroll tax rates and benefits contribution limits for 2023. Social Security tax In 2023, the Social Security tax rate
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How to Organize a Retirement Party
Whether you are planning a retirement party for a coworker, a departing boss or even yourself, the most important rule is that it should be an
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HUBZone Program: Still Available, Changes Coming
According to the SBA, the HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones. The idea is to award at least 3%
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5 Tips To Successfully Transition to A Manager Role
Moving from an individual contributor to a manager is a common career progression for many professionals. While it is an exciting opportunity, this
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Will My Noncompete Agreement Hold Water?
You may want to require employees to sign noncompete agreements to keep them from working for rival companies. Will these protect the business? The
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Know the Rules on Business Travel
Are you working on this year’s tax return or planning for the future? Either way, you should know the rules on business travel tax deductions.
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New IRS Portal for Form 1099 Series
The IRS has announced that businesses can now file Form 1099 series information returns using a new online portal, available free from the IRS. Known
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Three Ways Employers Can Support Employee Wellness to Drive Retention
Employee wellness has become an increasingly important topic in the workplace, and for good reason. Not only is it important for the health and
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Three Considerations When Setting Pay
Your starting salaries should be competitive, fair and aligned with your budget. Many factors come into play when striking this balance, including
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Cash Flow Statements: The Key to Business Success
In the complex world of business operations, leaders often find themselves navigating a sea of financial statements and documents. While the income
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Business Owners May Face Special Compensation Rules
S corporations allow the business to pass corporate income, losses, deductions and credits through to their shareholders for federal tax purposes.
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5 Must Haves for Employee Recognition Programs that Work
According to a recent Gallup survey, it has been shown that approximately “36% of U.S. employees are engaged in their work and
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IRS Establishes Mileage Rates for 2023
The IRS has issued the 2023 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business,
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New Law Ushers in Major Retirement Changes
There’s been buzz about new retirement plan provisions for weeks, and now they’re final, bringing about changes to various federal rules
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Should You Reimburse Employees For Home Office Expenses?
What challenges have your employees been facing, and how can you offer the solutions they need? Deciding on a home office reimbursement policy or a
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How Do Taxes Work With Bonuses?
Bonuses, frequently given at the end of the year, are a popular “thank you” for a job well done, and smart business owners know they can
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Staying Current on Labor Rules
Hiring staff? Good for you! It means your business is thriving. Now is the time to get up to speed or reacquaint yourself with any labor laws
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Understanding the Maryland Saves Program: A Small Business Owner’s Guide
Table of Contents: Introduction The Maryland Saves Program: An Overview Why Choose the Maryland Saves Retirement Program? Who Is Eligible for the
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What To Know About Fringe Benefits and Taxes
You can generally deduct the amount you pay your employees for the services they perform. The pay may be in cash, property or services. It may
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Are You Worried About Inflation?
When inflation is at play, the decline of the value of money and the incline in prices is a combination that impacts everyone. Not even business
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Tips for Managers: How to Discuss Pay With Your Employees
During the normal course of business, managers are typically required to have conversations with their employees regarding compensation. These
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Employee Retention Credit: Over but Not Done
The federal government’s Employee Retention Credit proved to be a lifeline for many businesses and their employees. The eligibility rules were
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Are Your Employees Quiet Quitting? What Employers Need To Know
CBS News says, “There’s a new term for clocking in and doing the bare minimum at work: ‘quiet quitting.'” This employee
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The Affordable Care Act: A Review and Update
As explained on the official government health care site, the law has three goals: Make affordable health insurance available to more people. The
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Fall planning? Remember the Maryland Time to Care Act
Fall planning is upon us and we want to make sure in addition to your thoughts around annual business strategies you are including the new Maryland
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Lease Accounting – Should You Lease or Buy?
When it comes to lease or buy, there are pros and cons to both options. In this post, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of each choice
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For Retro ERC, Use Form 941-X
Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund, may be your key to getting all the Covid relief your business
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Take a Look at the Alternative Workforce
One of the most fitting descriptions of the alternative workforce comes from Deloitte. In the company’s words, they have said that “the
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How To Create a Salary Plan
Don’t use guesswork when figuring out how much to pay your employees. You need a comprehensive, long-term plan to figure out a talent strategy.
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Identifying Breadcrumbing Signs and Keeping Candidates Engaged: A Guide to Ethical Recruitment
Competing for talent is not easy, especially in a tight labor market. To snag the most qualified candidates, employers must make a good impression.
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The Strategic Role of the CFO
The chief financial officer of a company has always had a seat at the table, but the current business environment combined with changes wrought by
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Improve Your Payroll Audits With Automation
Payroll is a core feature of all businesses, and it is very important as it heavily impacts the morale of employees. After all, if employees
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Integrated Timekeeping: A Strategy for Preventing Payroll Errors
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers are required to maintain updated records of the hours worked by nonexempt employees. According to the
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Flexible Work Is Key to Retention
In a flexible work arrangement, employees typically get to choose their work location and their work arrival and departure times. They may also have
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Qualities of a Good Payroll Technology Demo
A product demonstration or demo enables vendors to present the value of their product or service to prospective buyers. So if you’re in the
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Maryland Enacts Paid Leave Law – What It Means For You
Last month the Maryland Legislation voted to pass a paid family and medical leave insurance program. Called the Time to Care Act, the new legislation
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How To Choose a Financial Wellness Vendor
In a 2020 survey, 44.9% of respondents said they would view their employers in a better light if they provided a financial wellness program, and
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Is This Your Situation: You Want a Paperless Payroll
Paperless payroll is a paper-free payroll process that has become hugely popular in recent years. But despite the groundswell of support for
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How To Hire In A Tough Labor Market
As a manager, you know how to promote your products. In a tough labor market, it may help you to view your job postings in the same way. Think of
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COVID-19 Pandemic and Caregiver Discrimination
Discrimination against a person with caregiving responsibilities may be unlawful under federal employment discrimination laws enforced by the Equal
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Exempt vs. Nonexempt: Where the Dividing Line Is
Employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act are required to pay nonexempt employees for all hours worked. It sounds simple enough, but many
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7 Considerations When Preparing Your Payroll Budget
Most companies spend 20% to 30% of their annual revenue on payroll. The exact amount varies based on the employer’s size, industry, and
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Is This Your Situation: You’re Spending Too Much on Bookkeeping
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Is This Your Situation: Feeling Overwhelmed by Payroll
Do you ever wish you didn’t have to go through the hassle of preparing a payroll? Maybe it was simple when you just had one or two employees,
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Can You Be Exempt and Nonexempt at the Same Time?
You can allow an employee to work two different jobs for your company. However, under the FLSA, you cannot classify an employee as both exempt and
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Unemployment and Tax: Back to Normal
Unemployment income has always been taxable income. Those who apply for unemployment benefits can have federal tax, and any applicable state tax,
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Payroll Tax Rates And Contribution Limits For 2022
Below are federal payroll tax rates and benefits contribution limits for 2022. Social Security tax In 2022, the Social Security tax rate
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Is 401(K) Auto Enrollment Right For Your Company?
Traditionally, employees have to opt into retirement plans and make their own decisions about contributions. But there’s another possibility:
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How To Retain Employees In A Tough Market
Imagine you’re a nursing home manager trying to replace a nurse’s aide. But the resumes aren’t coming in like they usually do. You
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IRS Announces Standard Mileage Rates For 2022
The IRS has issued the 2022 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business,
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The HHS Stimulus (PRF) Reporting Period 2 opened – What You Need to Know
Background: In April of 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services created the Provider Relief Fund in response to the rapid and widespread
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IRS Announces 2022 Limits for Retirement Plans
The IRS has announced the new retirement plan numbers for 2022. Retirement limits for 401(k) and similar plans are up. The contribution limit for
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Can You Clearly Explain Your Health Insurance Plan?
According to a report by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, just 19 percent of employers say their employees had a “high
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7 Ways To Manage the Worker Shortage
Many businesses are struggling with a worker shortage. It is happening across the board: staff shortages at our doctors’ offices, at child care
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An FMLA Questionnaire To Keep You Compliant
Employer coverage – Is your business covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? You must adhere to the FMLA if you employ at least 50
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On-Demand Pay: A Growing Payroll Trend
A 2020 report by Ernst & Young says on-demand pay is “the term used to describe a category of financial products that give employees the
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What Is the Cost of Employee Vacancies?
How much money is lost when you leave a position vacant? There’s a financial impact to keeping a role open. Efficient, productive firms have
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Digital Dexterity: The Goal of a Successful Workplace
The workplace of the future is no longer abstract. It is a reality, but a reality that is different for each business. Every workplace has changed
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Taxable and Nontaxable Employee Benefits
As the unemployment rate falls from its 2020 high, employees are switching jobs in record numbers. The new stability in the economy means workers
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Protecting Wealth Through the Use of Family Offices
Family offices act as the heart of a family’s operations, doing everything from managing their financial lives to overseeing their investments,
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The Whys and Hows of Outsourcing Payroll
In Bloomberg Tax & Accounting’s 2019 Payroll Benchmarks Survey, 69.2% of respondents said they used outside vendors to perform payroll
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5 Must-Haves for Any Payroll Solution
Studies show that the vast majority of employers use payroll software, which saves time by automating manual processes and decreasing administrative
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EEOC Provides Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Policies
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has updated its guidance on workplace COVID-19 vaccine policies. The agency’s original guidance,
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Sick and Family Leave Reporting Guidance
The Treasury Department and the IRS have issued Notice 2021-53, which provides guidance to employers about using Form W-2 to report the amount
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How To Handle Your First Payroll
Regardless of whether your first payroll involves a few employees or many, the goal is to execute payroll in an accurate and compliant manner. Here
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Employee Retention Credit: Further Guidance
In COVID Tax Tip 2021-123, the IRS clarifies some of the confusion surrounding the powerful but complex Employee Retention Credit. The IRS is
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Vaccine Mandates: The Elephant in the Room
COVID-19 and its variants continue to disrupt the way we live, work and play. The population disagrees on whether to wear masks or be vaccinated, and
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Should Employees Get Paid for Orientation & Training?
It is not uncommon for a new hire to pose the question: Do you get paid for orientation? Orientation formally introduces the new hire to the company
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Should You Pay an Employee Who Resigns With Two Weeks’ Notice?
An employee who resigns with two weeks’ notice may think they are doing you a favor. But in fact, it can be a payroll headache, especially if
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Why Use Time and Attendance Software?
Documentation is key to wage and hour compliance. Simplify time tracking by automatically calculating hours worked as well as vacation time,
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What Can a Payroll Service Do for You?
Even if your business has only a few employees, you may be considering outsourcing your payroll processing to a specialist. What can a payroll
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Create a Strategy To Bring Back Workers
“Going back to the office” takes on new meaning after more than a year of working from home. Some people are excited to get back to
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Health Insurance Plans and Alternatives for Small Businesses
Employer-based health insurance costs have increased modestly since 2012 — between 3% and 5% annually for family coverage, according to a 2020
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Executive Order Targets Noncompete Agreements
These days, many employees at companies large and small to sign an agreement when they’re onboarded. It says that they’re not allowed to
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What Employers Need to Know About FICA Taxes
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) mandates that employers have to withhold, and also match, certain taxes. FICA consists of Social
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EEOC Publishes Updated COVID Guidance
As workplaces resume in-person operations, or at least consider doing so, there are many questions about the rules and requirements. However, the
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Affordable Care Act Upheld — Again
In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld, again, the Affordable Care Act. Texas and other states had sued to overturn it. The court’s
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Retirement Plan Startup Costs Tax Credit
A tax credit for small-employer pension plan startup costs may be awaiting you. You may be able to claim a tax credit of up to $5,000 when you set up
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Planning Ahead for Tax Credits and Deductions
Everybody wants to pay as little in taxes as possible. Most people use software or hire an accountant to help them find all the deductions they can
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What Is a Money Purchase Pension Plan?
A money purchase pension plan is an employee retirement benefit plan that requires companies to contribute a specific percentage of an
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IRS Adjusts HSA Limits for 2022
As it does each year, the IRS has announced changes for health savings accounts, which are associated with high-deductible health plans. The figures
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Do You Need an Economic Injury Disaster Loan?
Even before the pandemic, the Small Business Administration offered Economic Injury Disaster Loans for “losses not covered by insurance or
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How Do Holidays Affect FMLA Leave?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) dictates that employers with 50 or more employees must give eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid,
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A Checklist for Navigating Open Enrollment
Before Open Enrollment – Reflect on the previous open enrollment period. Note the successes and failures and formulate a strategy for avoiding
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When You Have an HR Department of One
At a minimum, the human resources department handles: Recruiting. Hiring. Compensation. Employee benefits. Training and development. Employee
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How Much FMLA Leave Should Part-Time Employees Receive?
To take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, an employee must: Work for an employer that has least 50 employees for 20 or more workweeks in
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Employers Get Tax Breaks for Vaccination Leave
Small and midsize employers, and certain governmental employers, can claim refundable tax credits that reimburse them for the cost of providing paid
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Repaying Deferred Payroll Taxes
IRS Notice 2020-65 allowed employers to defer withholding and payment of the employee’s Social Security taxes. This deferral applied to those with
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Rethinking Your Employee Benefits Strategy
In the past, as long as you provided health insurance and retirement benefits, your benefits were considered competitive. Now, the pressure is on
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Hiring in a New Era
As you create your company’s hiring plan for a post-pandemic world, you need to adapt to a new reality. To begin with, you will need to
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7 Key Aspects of Payroll Compliance
1. Federal wage and hour laws The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets federal wage and hour standards, which are administered by the U.S. Department
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Employment Records Retention: What Are the Federal Laws?
How long do you have to keep records? There’s no one answer. However, we’ve summarized some of the most common federal laws relevant to
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Common Overtime Mistakes To Avoid
There are many ways to run afoul of overtime laws. Below are some of the most common — review them to ensure that you’re always in
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Can Employers Mandate Vaccinations?
Can an employer require its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19? It’s a simple question, but one that does not have an easy answer. In
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An Overview of Federal and State Overtime Exemption Laws
On Sept. 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule increasing the salary threshold for executive, administrative and professional
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Are Your Employees Cross-Trained?
When employees quit or miss work for some reason, when layoffs become necessary, or even when it’s just a matter of busy season, cross-trained
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What Are Predictive Scheduling Laws?
At times, you may want to suddenly change an hourly employee’s work schedule to better suit your business needs. However, several jurisdictions
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Employee Retention Tax Credit Gets a Boost
The second relief bill, passed at the end of 2020, contains updates to the employee retention credit, a refundable payroll tax credit. Each option
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5 Time Sensitive Projects Medical Practices Can’t Ignore in 2021
Medical practices should prioritize these 5 time-sensitive projects for the first quarter of 2021. Ever-changing government regulations,
Read More![UnitedHealthcare Telehealth and Telemedicine Policy Modifications Effective 1/1/2021](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/UnitedHealthcare-Telehealth-and-Telemedicine-Policy-Modifications-Effective-010121-445x300.jpg)
UnitedHealthcare Telehealth and Telemedicine Policy Modifications Effective 1/1/2021
In the latest Provider Newsletter, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) revealed their revised telehealth reimbursement policies for 2021. Among the revisions, UHC
Read More![IRS Updates Form 941 To Reflect COVID-19 Tax Credits](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/irs-445x300.jpg)
IRS Updates Form 941 To Reflect COVID-19 Tax Credits
The IRS has revised Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, to accommodate COVID-19-related employment tax credits granted under the
Read More![What the Taxpayer First Act Means for Employers](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2-445x300.jpg)
What the Taxpayer First Act Means for Employers
According to the IRS’ website, the Taxpayer First Act of 2019 “aims to broadly redesign” the IRS by expanding and strengthening
Read More![Cash Balance Plans: Defined-Benefit with a Twist](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/iStock-1036079582-445x300.jpg)
Cash Balance Plans: Defined-Benefit with a Twist
Both individuals and the companies they work for continue to explore new ways to address the finances of retirement. One option is the cash balance
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CMS Physician Fee Schedule and RVU Value Changes for 2021 – 7 Areas to Consider
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule for the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) in August of 2021.
Read More![Medicare AAPP Recoupment Terms Finalized](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Medicare-AAPP-Recoupment-Terms-Finalized-445x300.jpg)
Medicare AAPP Recoupment Terms Finalized
A sigh of relief can be heard amongst the medical community last week. Lawmakers granted an extension for providers who had their Medicare payments
Read More![Medicare Accelerated Payment Program’s Recoupment Paused for DC and Maryland Providers](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Medicare-Accelerated-Payment-Programs-Recoupment-Paused-for-DC-and-Maryland-Providers-445x300.jpg)
Medicare Accelerated Payment Program’s Recoupment Paused for DC and Maryland Providers
Backround The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) Accelerated Medicare Payment program provided advance payments to a significant number of
Read More![New CPT Code 99072 Usage and Coverage](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/New-CPT-Code-99072-Usage-and-Coverage-445x300.jpg)
New CPT Code 99072 Usage and Coverage
Early this month, the American Medical Association (AMA) published an update to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set. The update
Read More![HHS Stimulus Deposits To Physician Practices](https://www.bluestonesvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/HHS-Stimulus-Deposits-To-Physician-Practices-445x300.jpg)
HHS Stimulus Deposits To Physician Practices
On Friday, April 10th medical practices started to notice large deposits appearing in their business checking accounts labeled “HHS Payment US HHS
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