Important changes for 2019 payroll

Article courtesy Yeo & Yeo

Prepare now for the following payroll changes that will take effect on January 1, 2019, and also consider some actions to take before year-end. Be aware that a few directives – including the federal mileage rate, and the State’s new minimum wage and Earned Sick Leave Act – will soon be finalized. 

2019 Payroll Changes

Social Security Wage Base. The 2019 wage base will be $132,900. The employee and employer match will be 6.2%. The maximum deduction will be $8,239.80 ($132,900 x 6.2%).

Medicare Tax. As in prior years, there is no limit to the wages subject to the Medicare Tax; therefore, all covered wages are still subject to the 1.45% tax. Wages paid in excess of $200,000 will be subject to an extra 0.9% Medicare tax that will be withheld only from employees’ wages.

Dependent Care Limits. The maximum exclusion from gross income under a dependent care program is $5,000 for an individual or a married couple filing jointly.

Health Flexible Spending Arrangements. The dollar limitation on voluntary employee salary reductions for contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) is $2,700.

Health Savings Accounts. HSAs are for eligible individuals in a high deductible health plan. The maximum annual contribution that can be made to an HSA in 2019: 

  
 Catch-up contributions: Individuals 55 and older can make additional catch-up contributions to an HSA until they are enrolled in Medicare. The additional allowable contribution is $1,000.

IRA Contribution Limits. The 2019 contribution limit for Simple IRAs is $13,000. The catch-up contribution for those age 50 or older by December 31, 2019, is $3,000.

401(k), 403(b) and 457 Contribution Limits. The contribution limit for these plans’ employee deferrals is $19,000. The catch-up contribution for those age 50 or older by December 31, 2019, is $6,000

Items to Consider Before December 31, 2018

Employer HSA contributions. Employer contributions to a Health Savings Account, including employee contributions made through a cafeteria plan, are reported on Form W-2 in Box 12 with Code W.

Group Term Life Insurance. If you provide group term life insurance in excess of $50,000 of coverage, calculate the taxable benefit and add it to the employees’ wages prior to preparing W-2s.

S Corp Health Insurance Premiums. If you are organized as an S Corporation, include company-paid health insurance premiums for each shareholder on their W-2s.

Pension limits for 2018

Verify social security card and payroll name match. If any of your employees are currently using a name that does not match their Social Security card due to marriage, divorce, citizenship change or any other reason, they need to obtain a new card from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Software updates. If you process your own payroll, please ensure you are using the correct employee payroll tax withholding rates before processing the first payroll in 2019. Be sure all necessary updates have been completed and you are on the most recent version. For help, contact your software provider. 

Auto usage. If your employee uses a company vehicle, calculate this taxable benefit and add the amount to the employee’s wages prior to preparing W-2s.

Form W-4.  

Be certain your W-2s are compliant.

Include all taxable fringes in the year-end payroll.