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In accounting and payroll, businesses are usually considered the primary clients. However, payroll work also directly affects another important group of people— employees . Every paycheck represents someone’s income, tax withholding, and financial planning. Because of this, payroll professionals are not only responsible for accurate calculations but also for providing clear communication and reliable support when questions arise. This article is the third installment in my E

When “Automatic” Accounting Isn’t Enough Technology has made bookkeeping easier in many ways. Modern accounting software can automatically import bank transactions, match vendors, and suggest expense categories. While these tools are very helpful, they are not a replacement for proper accounting oversight and regular bank reconciliation . This article is the second part of my Experience Series , where I share real-world examples from my professional work in accounting and p

From Payroll Tax Chaos to Complete Control Experience is one of the most valuable things you can bring to a business—especially when it comes to payroll taxes. When companies operate in multiple states or have several entities, payroll tax compliance can quickly become overwhelming. Different deadlines, agencies, and reporting requirements can create a complicated system that is difficult to manage without the right expertise. This is the first article in my Experience Serie

Every January, payroll questions spike — and 2026 is no different. Updates from the IRS and new tax rules mean changes to how paychecks are calculated, how much tax is withheld, and what employers are required to report. If you’ve been wondering “What payroll changes take effect this year?” or “How do new tax laws affect paychecks?” — I will break it down without confusing payroll jargon. Why Payroll & Tax Changes Happen Every Year Payroll rules change regularly due to: •

The difference affects payroll taxes, benefits, and compliance — and misclassification can be costly. Here’s a simple breakdown every employer and worker should understand. 👇

As the year comes to a close, December becomes one of the busiest months for business owners, bookkeepers, and payroll teams. A smooth year-end close doesn’t have to be complicated—having a simple checklist makes it much easier to stay organized and avoid surprises in January. Below is a quick and easy December year-end checklist to help you finalize your accounting and payroll before December 31. 1. Reconcile Financial Accounts Make sure all accounts match your records: Bank

How often do we hear that someone’s personal or business information has been compromised by malware or phishing—right here in Alaska, far from the hustle and bustle of the Lower 48? The truth is simple: cybercriminals don’t care where you live, what you do, or how large your business is. They don’t care about your age, your family, your community, or your company’s mission. Whether you’re in downtown Seattle or a remote Alaska community, their motivation is the same—money an

If you are a contractor working with the State of Alaska, this article is for you. Working with state-funded construction projects is both rewarding and complex. Securing the bid is only the beginning. What many people see is just the surface— the top of the iceberg . Behind every successful project lies extensive coordination with state departments, union representatives, and subcontractors. At the center of this process is one critical responsibility: payroll compliance. Th

As a newly formed company, this year has been especially meaningful for us—and that is because of clients like you. Thank you for welcoming Payroll Services Solutions into your business family and trusting us with your accounting and payroll needs. This season reminds us how important connection and community truly are. We are grateful not only for your business, but for the relationships we are building along the way. Your support has helped our new company grow, and we feel

According to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) , there are no taxes on qualified overtime pay for the years 2025 through 2028 . But what exactly counts as qualified overtime ? What Is Qualified Overtime? Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) , an employee is entitled to overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek , at a rate of at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay. Similarly, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development – Labor Standar

Every year on November 10 , the world celebrates International Accounting Day — a day dedicated to recognizing the crucial role that accountants and financial professionals play in keeping our global economy running smoothly. Although often working behind the scenes, their efforts ensure that businesses, governments, and individuals make sound financial decisions and remain compliant with ever-changing regulations. International Accounting Day commemorates the publication in

Standard Deductions 2026 2025 Single; Married Filing Separately 16,100 15,750 Married Filing Jointly; Surviving Spouses 32,200 31,500 Heads of Households 24,150 23,625 2026 Marginal Rates Single; Married Filing Separately for income over: Married Filing Jointly for income over 10% 0,00 to 12,400 0,00 to 24,800 12% 12,400 24,800 22% 50,400 100,800 24% 105,700 211,400 32% 201,775 403,550 35% 256,225 512,450 37% 640,600 768,700 Health Flexible Spending Cafeteria Plans. The dolla

The Social Security Administration announced on October 24 that the 2026 social security wage base will be $184,500, an increase of $8,400 from $176,100 in 2025. As in prior years, there is no limit to the wages subject to the Medicare tax; therefore, all covered wages are subject to the 1.45% tax. As in 2025, wages paid in excess of $200,000 in 2026 will be subject to an extra 0.9% Medicare tax that will only be withheld from employees’ wages. Maximum social security tax .

The IRS released cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for 2026 reflecting any increases in the flexible spending arrangements (FSA) deferral limit and excludable transportation fringes, among other changes [ Rev. Proc. 2025-32 , 10-9-25]. The Revenue Procedure also addresses changes made for tax year 2025 by Public Law 119-21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Qualified transportation fringes The amounts that may be excluded from gross income for employer-provide

As a business owner or human resources manager, you may come across the term 'social security wages' in the context of payroll and...

Supplemental income refers to extra earnings received on top of your regular paycheck. It’s often irregular or unpredictable, which is why the IRS requires specific protocols to prevent underpayment. Here, we’ll cover the different types of supplemental pay and how the earnings are taxed.

Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, is a form sent to employees by their employers that details how much income, Social Security, or Medicare tax was withheld from their annual wages. Each employee earning more than $600 for contracted annual wages or salary will receive one. If you receive this form, use it to file your federal and state tax returns.

Understanding your employment status is important when it comes time to file your taxes. The taxes you are expected to pay will be based largely on how you earn your money. If you happen to fall into a category known as statutory employees, your taxes will reflect the unique nature of your employment. Simply put, a statutory employee is an independent contractor who is considered an employee for tax purposes.

Here are some tips to follow to keep you and your private information safe in various situations. Staying safe on social media Don’t post or send private or tax related information anywhere on these types of platforms. Even if you have your social media accounts set to a limited audience under privacy settings, if you are using an open wi-fi network, like at the local coffee shop or in a hotel room, your information can be captured as it goes over that connection. Don’t open

Whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor depends on the relationship between the worker and the business. When a worker is classified as an employee, the employer must withhold income taxes as well as Social Security and Medicare taxes from the employee’s paycheck. The employee and the employer each contribute a percentage of the worker’s wages to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes (more commonly referred to as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA