The SBA and Treasury moments ago released updated information on the new Paycheck Protection Program created by the CARES Act. The program is specifically designed to help small businesses (less than 500 employees) keep their...more
After much negotiation over the past few days, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) into law, a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at providing critical economic...more
Today, March 25, 2020, the DOL issued a notice employers subject to the FFCRA must post prior to April 1, 2020...more
Shortly after we issued our guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) (the “FFCRA”) last week Friday, the Department of Labor and the Treasury Department jointly issued IRS Bulletin 2020-57 stating...more
As expected, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Governor Evers issued Safer at Home Order #12, requiring individuals across the state of Wisconsin (with exceptions) to stay at home starting at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in...more
Late yesterday, the Department of Labor issued its first FAQ at regarding the FFCRA. In that FAQ the DOL specifically states: Question: Can my employer deny me paid sick leave if my employer gave me paid leave for a reason...more
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) (the “FFCRA”) (signed into law on March 18) and generally effective April 2, 2020 provides refundable tax credits for employers to offset the costs associated with the...more
3/20/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Qualified Health Plans ,
Relief Measures ,
Secretary of the Treasury ,
Sick Leave ,
Sick Pay ,
Tax Credits
At about 7:30 p.m. on March 18, President Trump signed a bill into law containing two significant leave provisions that affect nearly every small to mid-sized employer in the country. This law, entitled the Families First...more
Last night, March 16, the House amended versions of a COVID-19 Coronavirus bill we reported on yesterday. Again, this alert will focus only on the two provisions regarding paid leave for employees. The Senate is expected to...more
Late Friday, the House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) which provides COVID-19 relief to Americans in several areas. This alert will focus only on the two provisions regarding paid leave for...more
Should you ban nonessential business travel? Can you prevent an employee from taking that cruise? What if an employee refuses to go home when she is sick? Here are some answers to those questions and more!...more
3/13/2020
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Business Travel ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Disability Discrimination ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Infectious Diseases ,
International Travel ,
OSHA ,
Public Health ,
Traveling Employee ,
Workplace Safety
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2020, and the decrease in rates...more
Please be advised that contacting Ruder Ware by e-mail does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you contact the firm by e-mail with respect to a matter where the firm does not already represent you, any information...more
11/6/2019
/ 401k ,
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) ,
Defined Benefit Plans ,
Defined Contribution Plans ,
Employee Benefits ,
Highly Compensated Employees ,
Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ,
IRS ,
Qualified Retirement Plans ,
Retirement Plan ,
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Today the IRS announced the HSA limits for calendar year 2020. Hard to believe we are already talking 2020, especially after a Memorial Day weekend in Wisconsin where the air conditioning and furnace were both needed. As you...more
The sponsorship of a qualified retirement plan can be rewarding but frustrating – there are so many rules. Unfortunately agricultural employers are not given a break when it comes to sponsoring such retirement...more
5/24/2019
/ 401k ,
Agricultural Sector ,
Asset Management ,
Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
Discretionary Trust ,
Duty of Prudence ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Fiduciary Duty ,
Personal Liability ,
Qualified Retirement Plans
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2019, and the increased rates reflect...more
On November 1, 2018 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. The vast majority of the limits shown below have increased from last year....more
If it seems like the IRS just announced the 2018 limits, you are not mistaken. Just over a month ago the IRS declared a do over for the 2018 limits, see The IRS Says Never Mind - You Can Have Your Higher HSA Limit! With the...more
I previously blogged about how unusual it was for the IRS to implement a retroactive change to a previously announced limit. As you may remember, the $6,900 limit on HSA contributions for a taxpayer eligible for a family high...more
It is unusual for the IRS to implement a retroactive change to a previously announced limit (whether it be qualified plan limits or HSA limits). Especially when the change is a reduction in the amount that taxpayers can...more
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2018, and the increased rates reflect...more
Originally published on Badger Common'Tater - November 2017
Workplace retirement programs play an important role in attracting and retaining employees, helping workers (and owners!) save, and provide significant tax...more
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. A few of the limits shown below remain unchanged from last year, but others have increased....more
10/23/2017
/ 401k ,
403(b) Plans ,
Compensation & Benefits ,
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Employee Contributions ,
Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ,
IRS ,
Qualified Benefit Plans ,
Qualified Retirement Plans ,
Retirement Plan ,
Social Security Taxes ,
Wage and Hour
As much as I love tax law, filling out another tax form isn’t high on my list of fun things to do. So when the IRS issues a form that isn’t legally required to complete, should you? If you are an employer that provides one or...more
The Internal Revenue Service on May 5th announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the HSA contribution limits and for High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for 2018....more