How do I adjust my federal tax withholding?
Federal income tax withholding is adjusted by filing a new Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate (Form W-4) with the Payroll/Tax Department on or before the established deadlines.
When the number of allowances claimed is increased, the amount withheld for federal income tax is reduced. When the number of allowances is reduced, the amount withheld is increased. The amount may also be increased by specifying a fixed dollar figure as an "Additional Amount".
If I forgot to change my W4 form, can I fill it out now and have it processed retroactively?
No, Federal law prohibits retroactive processing for taxes.
What changes need to be made when I change my marital status?
If the change in marital status involves a name change, you should apply for a Social Security card with your new name and have your department change your name on the Employee Record and submit it through the proper channels. This must occur in order for the Payroll/Tax Department to make the necessary changes to the Payroll master file.
How does moving affect my payroll records?
Your permanent home address is used to determine your liability for certain local taxes.The University is required to collect local taxes from residents of those municipalities in which the University maintains a facility.
Your most current home address must be on file in the Payroll to assure your receipt of University mailings; e.g., W-2 forms, correspondence, etc. This is extremely important since we average 800 returned W-2's each year because of incorrect addresses.
What action should I take if I authorized a deduction and it was not taken from my earnings?
Contact the Payroll Office immediately if a deduction was not processed. The Payroll staff will investigate the problem and suggest appropriate action.
If an employee is paid on a biweekly basis, what deductions are taken from each paycheck?
First biweekly: Retirement Plan (TIAA/CREF/Vanguard), Flexible Spending Amount, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Group Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Union Dues, Vacation Pay, and/or other statutory deductions.
Second biweekly: Retirement Plan (TIAA/CREF/Vanguard), Flexible Spending Amount, Credit Union, Union Dues, Vacation Pay, Parking, Savings Bonds, Athletic Tickets, and/or other non-statutory deductions.
Third biweekly: Retirement Plan (TIAA/CREF/Vanguard), Flexible Spending Amount, Union Dues, Vacation Pay, miscellaneous deductions, and/or statutory deductions.
Note: Applicable taxes are withheld from each paycheck.
Is it possible to obtain a salary advance or an early release of my paycheck?
No, SPI #36, VIII, G. states "Requests for payroll advance and/or early release of paychecks prior to the normal payday will not be approved under any circumstances. Should an employee be away during the normal pay date, arrangements should be made with the department administrator to forward or deposit the check.
When is the money credited to an account when an employee authorizes direct deposit?
For monthly payrolls, deposits are made no later than the actual pay date.
For biweekly payroll, deposits are made no later than the Friday pay date.
Is it possible to credit part of a paycheck to a savings accounts and part to a checking account?
No, direct deposits must be made entirely to either a checking account or a savings account.
What action should I take if I lose my paycheck?
Notify your supervisor and the Payroll Office immediately. The Payroll Office will submit a "Stop Payment" to the bank. The Payroll Office will re-issue the check after receiving the confirming stop payment notice from the bank.
If you recover the lost check after notifying the Payroll but before receiving a new check, do not try to cash or deposit: the check because the check will be rejected by the bank. Return the check to the Payroll Office and a replacement will be issued.
Can an individual employee review his own payroll/personnel record?
Yes, specific policies and procedures procedures are described in Policy 07-06-05, "Access To Employee Personnel Files". Contact Laurel Phillips at the Human Resources Office to actually review the file.
When is payday at the University?
For most of the University staff and faculty, the pay date is usually the last working day of the month.For biweekly employees, the paydate is every other Friday according to the predetermined schedule.
If I reached my social security tax maximum with my former employer, can I exempt myself from social security taxes for the rest of the year with the University?
No, each employer must deduct FICA according to his/her year-to-date figures for gross earnings. If you have excess tax withheld during a calendar year, you must claim the excess on Form 1040, which must be filed on or before April 15th of the following year.
If I paid the Occupation Tax with another employer, how do I avoid having it withheld again from my first University pay?
A signed copy of your Occupation Tax receipt or copy of paycheck stub must be submitted to the Payroll Department on or before the established deadlines.
What does the heading "Taxable Fringe Benefit" mean on my payroll check stub?
1) Based upon IRS regulations, the value of employer-provided group term Life insurance in excess of $50,000 is taxable income to the employee, and the employer is required to withhold FICA and FIT on this benefit.
2) Moving Expense … Eligibility for reimbursements of moving expense is available to new full time faculty and librarians and those full-time administrative and professional staff specifically approved by a Senior Officer.