March 7, 2008

Payroll Michigan, Unique Aspects of Michigan Payroll Law and Practice

Filed under: Software Stuff — admin @ 5:51 pm

The Michigan State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:

Department of Treasury
Sales, Use and Withholding Taxes Div.
Treasury Bldg.
430 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48922
(517) 636-4730
http://www.michigan.gov/treasury

Michigan requires that you use Michigan form “MI-W4, Employee’s Michigan Withholding Exemption Certificate” instead of a Federal W-4 Form for Michigan State Income Tax Withholding.

Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In Michigan cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.

In Michigan supplemental wages are taxed at a 3.9% flat rate.

You must file your Michigan state W-2s by magnetic media if you are have at least 250 employees and are required to file your federal W-2s by magnetic media.

The Michigan State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:

Bureau of Workers and Unemployment
Compensation
Cadillac Place
3024 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202
(800) 638-3994
http://www.michigan.gov/

The State of Michigan taxable wage base for unemployment purposes is wages up to $9000.00.

Michigan has optional reporting of quarterly wages on magnetic media.

Unemployment records must be retained in Michigan for a minimum period of six years. This information generally includes: name; social security number; dates of hire, rehire and termination; wages by period; payroll pay periods and pay dates; date and circumstances of termination.

The Michigan State Agency charged with enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:

Department of Consumer and Industry Services
Bureau of Safety and Regulation
Wage and Hour Division
7150 Harris Dr., Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
(517) 322-1825
http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-11407—,00.html

The minimum wage in Michigan is $5.15 per hour.

The general provision in Michigan concerning paying overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer is one and one half times regular rate after 40-hour week.

Michigan State new hire reporting requirements are that every employer must report every new hire and rehire. The employer must report the federally required elements of:

  • Employee’s name
  • Employee’s address
  • Employee’s social security number
  • Employer’s name
  • Employers address
  • Employer’s Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

This information must be reported within 20 days of the hiring or rehiring.
The information can be sent as a W4 or equivalent by mail, fax or electronically.
There is no penalty for a late report in Michigan.

The Michigan new hire-reporting agency can be reached at 800-524-9846 or on the web at http://www.newhire-usa.com/mi/.

Michigan does not allow compulsory direct deposit

Michigan requires the following information on an employee’s pay stub:

  • Gross and Net Earnings
  • straight time and overtime pay
  • pay periods
  • hours worked
  • itemized deductions

Michigan requires that employee be paid semimonthly; monthly if wages paid by 1st of next month; weekly or biweekly if paydays regularly scheduled.

Michigan requires that the lag time between the end of the pay period and the payment of wages earned from 1st-15th, pay by 1st of next month; 16th-end of month, pay by 15th of next month; 14 days after pay period for weekly or biweekly paydays to the employee.

Michigan payroll law requires that involuntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay immediately, or as soon as amount due is determined and that voluntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay when amount is determined.

Deceased employee’s wages must be paid when normally due to employee’s written designee; if none, surviving spouse, children, parents, or siblings (in that order).

Escheat laws in Michigan require that unclaimed wages be paid over to the state after one year if more than $50.

The employer is further required in Michigan to keep a record of the wages abandoned and turned over to the state for a period of 10 years.

Michigan payroll law mandates no more than $2.50 may be used as a tip credit.

In the Michigan payroll law there is no provision covering required rest or meal periods.

Michigan statute requires that wage and hour records be kept for a period of not less than three years. These records will normally consist of at least the information required under FLSA.

The Michigan agency charged with enforcing Child Support Orders and laws is:

Office of Child Support
Michigan Family Independence Agency
235 S. Grand Ave., Ste. 1406
Lansing, MI 48933
(517) 373-7570
http://www.michigan.gov/dhs

Michigan has the following provisions for child support deductions:

  • When to start Withholding? 7 days after service.
  • When to send Payment? Within 3 days of Payday.
  • When to send Termination Notice? “Promptly”
  • Maximum Administrative Fee? no provision
  • Withholding Limits? Federal Rules under CCPA.

Please note that this article is not updated for changes that can and will happen from time to time.

Charles J. Read, CPA has been in the payroll, accounting and tax business for 30 years, the last fifteen in private practice. Mr. Read is the author of “How to Start a New Business”.

For Professional Payroll services at a Budget Price go to http://www.PayrollonaBudget.com a Paperless Payroll Company.

Go to http://www.CustomPayroll.com For a full service payroll service bureau with CPA’s on staff.

See an excerpt of Mr. Read’s interviews from William Shatners “Heartbeat of America” television show on the websites linked above.

Charles Read - EzineArticles Expert Author

How To Turn The Dream Into A Reality

Filed under: Management Portal — admin @ 5:25 pm

The first step is to understand that in order to achieve success you must take action. Inertia is the most common reason for lack of success!

What is your dream? Your goals for the future? What do you want to achieve in your life in the next week? month? year? 5 years? What would you like people to remember you for after you have left this world?

Think big - challenge yourself. Reach for the stars!

Be clear about where you are now. Audit your strengths and areas for development

What needs to be done to eliminate the gap between your dream and the reality?

Prioritize - Look for quick wins, consider those things which will have maximum long term impact. Build solid foundations, think of sustainability!

Set challenging but realistic targets. Aim high.

Communicate your vision, and keep doing so. Ensure that all stake holders understand and subscribe to the same vision.

Who do you need to involve? How will you ensure they sign up to and stay committed to the vision?

Think about the language you use - sound positive, if others think you are confident it can be achieved they will gain confidence too. Develop a “Can do” mentality within your staff. For every problem there is a solution, encourage others to see themselves as problem solvers not problem givers.

Create clear lines of communication which operate at every level and in all directions.

Break each priority down into small achievable steps, involve your team.

Who needs to do what - by when? Set a timetable

Identify the roles and responsibilities for all staff; ensure that staff take ownership without creating a “jobs worth” approach.

Ensure that people are appropriately trained and that training is constantly updated.

Build in the monitoring and review process from the start so you can evaluate performance and be prepared to adjust as necessary. (By creating a culture of development rather than blame huge potential will be released.)

Celebrate success! and remember to thank people for their contribution, give credit where it due and be generous with it.

Develop professional honesty within your staff, constructive feed back can be invaluable.

Finally leave your ego behind as it will simply get in the way of your success.

Independent Consultant, writer and life-coach Gina Gardiner loves working with others supporting them to make the best of their potential.

Described by Ofsted as an “inspirational leader” and by Investors in People as an “impressive coach and exceptional mentor who has developed an innovative and exemplary training scheme” for the development of emergent, middle and senior managers.

Gina has a huge interest in leadership, she has led a wide range of training and facilitation activities with individuals, schools and other organisations, In her work as coach/mentor she supports people at individual or organisational level to develop confidence, leadership and people skills and effective delegation; empowering them to see themselves as part of the solution. If you would like to know more email: gina.gardiner@ntlworld.com or look on www.firststeptothefuture.com

Gina Gardiner is also the author of “Live Well Eat Well With Celiac Disease” in this book she writes from first hand experience of being a celiac. For more information or to sign up to our free monthly ezine go to www.celiacliving.com