HSC CORONAVIRUS C
OMMUNICATION
Edition #27
August 13, 2020
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HSC COVID-19 Fast Response Team
We are here to help!
In these uncertain times with multimedia channels reporting conflicting and sometimes incorrect information, our firm is working to add clarity to this situation by providing new and verified information as it becomes available to us. We have also set up a
Coronavirus Resource Center on our website for ongoing information.
In addition, we have created the HSC COVID-19 Fast Response Team to serve our clients in addressing the difficult decisions they are being faced with on a daily basis. This dedicated multi-disciplinary team consists of our tax, payroll, HR, capital markets and accounting professionals.
If you have questions or would like to speak with this team, please contact your HSC team member or
Kyle Wininger,
CPA, CICA, CVA, CFE at
kwininger@hsccpa.com.
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AICPA Requests Guidance on Payroll Tax Deferral
The AICPA on Wednesday sent a letter to Treasury and the IRS requesting guidance on the recent
presidential memorandum deferring some employee payroll taxes until next year. The memorandum, issued by President Donald Trump on Saturday, defers the withholding, deposit, and payment of the employee portion of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) tax under Sec. 3101(a) and Railroad Retirement Act Tier 1 tax under Sec. 3201 for any employee whose pretax wages or compensation during any biweekly pay period generally is less than $4,000. It applies to payroll taxes on wages paid from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020.
The AICPA’s letter, addressed to David Kautter, Treasury’s assistant secretary for tax policy, and Charles Rettig, IRS commissioner, requests guidance on several issues related to how the deferral will be implemented.
Specifically, the AICPA asks for guidance:
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Stating that an eligible employee is responsible for making an affirmative election to defer the payroll taxes;
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Stating that an eligible employee can make an affirmative election at any time from Sept. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, and if an employee does not elect to defer Social Security taxes, taxes will continue to be withheld, deposited, and paid;
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Stating that an “eligible employee” is an employee whose wages are less than $4,000 (or equivalent amount depending on the employer’s pay period) per biweekly period;
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Providing a model notice for employers to furnish to eligible employees to inform them that the election to defer Social Security taxes is available for the Sept. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, period;
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Stating that the payroll amount used to determine eligibility is a cliff; if the wage amount for a specified pay period is above $4,000 or the equivalent amount based on the employer’s regular payroll periods, no deferral is permitted;
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Stating that the $4,000 limit should apply separately to each employer of an employee;
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Stating that it is the responsibility of the employee and not the employer to pay the deferred payroll taxes;
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Stating which penalties are waived as a result of this deferral, including the penalty applicable to responsible parties;
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Addressing whether the increase in take-home pay attributable to the deferred taxes can be used to satisfy other employee obligations such as Sec. 401(k) loan repayments, garnishments, and child support payments; and
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Stating a payment due date(s) for the deferred taxes and a mechanism for employees to pay the deferred taxes.
Orginally published by
Alistair M. Nevius, J.D.,
the JofA
’s editor in chief, tax on August 13, 2020.
If you have any questions please contact Matt Folz, CPA at
mfolz@hsscpa.com.
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Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C. is a public accounting firm with offices in Evansville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky. We are one of the largest accounting firms in Southern Indiana and Kentucky, providing experienced professionals who look beyond the numbers to the heart of complex issues. Our clients range in size from small proprietorships to billion-dollar corporations, from closely-held and family-owned businesses to publicly traded firms, and span nearly every industry. They all have one thing in common: they count on our expertise to capitalize on their opportunities and make the best of their challenges.
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Evansville Office
21 SE Third Street
Suite 500
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 464-9161
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Louisville Office
545 S Third Street
Suite 102
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 584-4142
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Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C
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