Vision Payroll

The Labor Department of the Arizona Industrial Commission announced recently that pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §23-363, the minimum wage for the state of Arizona will increase to $7.25 per hour effective January 1, 2009. The law requires an adjustment to the minimum wage be calculated each year. The adjustment is tied to the US All-Urban Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12 months ending in August. The 5.4% increase in the CPI will result in an increase of $0.35 for 2009. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on the Arizona minimum wage increase or visit our Minimum Wage Chart.

In IR-2008-118, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an increase for 2009 to the compensation limitation for Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans. Under §408(k)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, SEP contributions are generally required for any employee of an employer with a SEP plan who has attained age 21, has performed service for the employer during at least three of the immediately preceding five years, and received at least a certain level of “compensation” from the employer for the year. For 2009, the compensation limit will increase to $550 from $500 in 2008. Contact Vision Payroll if you have questions on changes to the 2009 SEP Compensation Limitation or visit our Important Facts and Figures page for further information.

In IR-2008-118, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an increase for 2009 to the Highly Compensated Employee Limitation under §414(q)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Non-discrimination testing in some types of retirement plans limits the deferral rate of “highly compensated employees” (HCEs) based upon the deferral rate (ADP) of the “non-highly compensated employees”. For 2009, an HCE is anyone who was a “5-percent owner” at any time during 2008 or 2009 or anyone who received in excess of $105,000 in compensation during 2008 and, if elected by the employer, is in the top twenty percent of employees based upon compensation. The HCE limit was $100,000 for 2007 and 2008 plan testing. Since the law includes a look-back provision, employees who earned more than $100,000 in 2007 are generally considered HCEs for 2008 plan year testing, employees who will earn more than $105,000 in 2008 are generally considered HCEs for 2009 plan year testing, and employees who will earn more than $110,000 in 2009 are generally considered HCEs for 2010 plan year testing. Contact Vision Payroll if you have questions on changes to the HCE definition for 2008 and 2009, visit Important Facts and Figures, or get updated information for 2009 and 2010.

In IR-2008-118, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced increases to the limits on deferral contributions for 2009 under §401(k), §403(b), and §457(e)(15). These limitations are codified in those sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC). Under IRC §415, the Commissioner of the IRS is required to adjust the plan limitations to keep pace with inflation. For 2009, the deferral contribution limitation will increase from $15,500 for 2008 to $16,500 for 2009. The age 50 and over catch-up contribution will also increase from $5,000 for 2008 to $5,500 for 2009 for individuals who plan to reach age 50 before the end of 2009. Contact Vision Payroll if you have questions on changes to these deferral contribution limits.

In IR-2008-118, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced increases to the limits on SIMPLE plan contributions for 2009. The limitation for SIMPLE plans is codified in §408(p)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC). This section also requires annual adjustments as necessary to keep pace with inflation in a manner similar to that required by IRC §415 for retirement plans. For 2009, the SIMPLE plan regular limitation will increase from $10,500 for 2008 to $11,500 for 2009. The age 50 and over catch-up contribution remains at $2,500 for individuals who plan to reach age 50 before the end of 2009. Contact Vision Payroll if you have questions on changes to the SIMPLE plan contribution limits.

This week’s question comes from Roseanne, a payroll manager. When will the 2009 Social Security wage base be announced? Answer: The US Department of Labor has just announced that the 2009 Social Security Wage Base will increase by $4,800 to $106,800. Since wages are taxed at a rate of 6.2%, the maximum tax to be paid by each employee will therefore increase to $6,621.60 or an increase of $297.60. The increase impacts about 7% of workers who pay Social Security Tax. Vision Payroll will automatically update its system for 2009 to reflect the higher wage base.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry announced recently that pursuant to Montana Code Annotated 39-3-409, the minimum wage for the state of Montana will increase to $6.90 per hour. The law requires an adjustment to the minimum wage that must be calculated no later than September 30 of each year. The adjustment is tied to the US City Average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers for All Items for the 12 months ending in August. The 5.4% increase in the CPI will result in an increase of $0.35 for 2009. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on the Montana minimum wage increase or visit our Minimum Wage Chart.

The Division of Labor of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment recently promulgated Colorado Minimum Wage Order 25 which increases, effective January 1, 2009, the minimum wage for the state of Colorado from $7.02 to $7.28 per hour. Pursuant to the inflation adjusted requirement of Section 15, Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution, the minimum wage must be adjusted each year effective January 1. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on the Colorado minimum wage increase or visit our Minimum Wage Chart.

The Division of Labor & Worker Safety of the Ohio Department of Commerce announced recently that, effective January 1, 2009, the minimum wage for the state of Ohio will increase to $7.30 per hour for non-tipped employees and $3.50 for tipped employees. The minimum wage will apply to employers who gross more than $267,000 per year. As a result of a constitutional amendment that passed in 2006 an adjustment to the minimum wage must be applied on January 1 of each year. The adjustment is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban wage earners and clerical workers for the 12-month period prior to September. The 4.6% increase in the CPI will result in an increase of $0.30 for 2009. Contact Vision Payroll if you have any questions on the Ohio minimum wage increase or visit our Minimum Wage Chart.

On or before June 30 of each year the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development must calculate an amount equal to sixty percent of Minnesota’s average annual wage, rounded to the nearest $1,000. This amount is the taxable wage base for the next taxable year. For 2009, the taxable wage base will increase from $25,000 to $26,000. Contact Vision Payroll if you have questions on the Minnesota Taxable Wage Base.