September 2, 2020
from PMAA
This is a corrected version of a PMAA Today notice sent on 9/1/20
The IRS has issued guidance for employers who wish to defer payments of certain federal payroll taxes. The new IRS guidance implements President Trump’s recent Executive Order allowing for the voluntary deferment of withholding and payment of the social security tax contribution share paid by the employee.
Payroll Taxes Deferred – Employers may temporarily defer both the withholding and payment of the 6.2% of income share of employee’s social security tax contributions.
Eligible Pay Periods – Deferred payments of the social security contributions described above may be taken on any qualifying pay period. Qualifying pay periods are limited to those where an employee’s wages or compensation is less than $4,000 ($104,000 annually) on a biweekly or equivalent basis. Deferments cannot be made for any biweekly or equivalent pay period where an employee’s wages or compensation is $4,000 or more.
Eligible Employers – Any employer with employees earning wages or compensation under the $4,000 eligibility threshold in any biweekly or equivalent pay period may defer payments for that period.
Tax Deferment Period – The tax deferment period runs from September 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.
Tax Repayment Date – Employers who chose to take the deferment must pay the total amount of payroll taxes deferred on a ratable basis from wages or compensation paid between January 1, 2021, and April 30, 2021. Interest and penalties will accrue on the payroll taxes deferred beginning on May 1, 2021.
Alternative Recapture Arrangements – In the event an employee is dropped from the payroll before the April 30, 2021 repayment deadline, the employer may make arrangements to otherwise collect the employee's share of the deferred taxes. |
