IRS Percent Method Withholding Tables for 2013 (Notice 1036)

January 1, 2013 by Wayne Schulz

As of January 1, 2013 the IRS have not yet released Publication 15 – Employer’s Tax Guide. This booklet typically includes the tax withholding rules as well as percent method withholding tables some use to update their computer withholding.

In the interim the IRS have released Notice 1036 which includes the social security limits and rate as well as percent method withholding that is presently in effect as of 1/1/13. Important: These rates may change as the government votes on pending tax legislation so be sure to check back with the IRS and update any rates as required.

IRS Notice 1036: Early Release Copies of Percent Tables for Income Tax Withholding for 2013 and IRS

CT Payroll Tax Withholding Wrong? Join The Club

December 31, 2011 by Wayne Schulz

The Hartford Courant is reporting that over 700 Connecticut employees contacted the state to ask why their December 2011 tax withholding was incorrect. Apparently this widespread issue is due to the state attempting to apply some retroactive tax adjustments to worker’s pay. The reason so many are experiencing issues in December is automated payroll systems miscalculate income tax owed when workers have either overtime pay, a Christmas bonus or a buyback of unused sick days.

Provided your pay is regular each period the Connecticut withholding tax tables appear to work just fine. When payroll is different weekt to week (as may be the case with vacation or holiday pay or year end bonus) then the CT Withholding tables (provided by the state) may inaccurately withhold too much.

According to the Courant:

Because the increase in state income taxes began in August, but was retroactive to the beginning of the year, state income tax withholding is designed to both take out the right amount for the current pay period and for the first two-thirds of the year. But when employees have higher pay than usual, many payroll systems assume they’ve been earning that amount all year.

Even the state of Connecticut had overwithholding issues, with Department of Transportation workers after Tropical Storm Irene. The state did not make a fix to its software, because the same thing happened again in December, for corrections officers who received holiday pay and overtime.

“Those employees have been refunded where possible,” said Tara Downes, spokeswoman for the state Comptroller.

The good news: no worker, no matter how plumped up his check is with overtime or bonuses, will see this glitch starting Sunday. That’s because the systems will no longer be trying to calculate retroactive withholding.

via: Hartford Courant and State of CT Withholding Tables for 2012 (PDF)

2010 Payroll Tax Rate Cheat Sheet

January 11, 2010 by Wayne Schulz

Looking for a quick guide to the 2010 payroll tax rates? Paychex have just published their Paychex Tax Faces for 2010.

This guide provides updated 2010 FICA, Social Security and Retirement information that you may find handy.

Also included is state data (withholding rates, unemployment wage base, state unemployment rate range, minimum wage, minimum wage with tips) for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Contact Us