On March 13, 2020, the President issued a determination under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the “Stafford Act”). A consequence of that action is that payments from employers to employees...more
We want to share with you our views on some benefits-related questions affecting group health plans that have been coming up recently as employers deal with the coronavirus.
HIPAA in the Age of COVID-19 – In February, the...more
We want to share with you some recent informal developments from the Internal Revenue Service that could be concerning for sponsors of retirement plans.
VCP Rumors – A report recently emerged that the IRS is considering a...more
The SECURE Act: What It Is And What It Is NOT -
As part of a large year-end piece of legislation, the provisions known as the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Security Act (the “SECURE Act”) were enacted into...more
1/29/2020
/ 401k ,
403(b) Plans ,
Contribution Limits ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Employer Group Health Plans ,
Form 5500 ,
Health Savings Accounts ,
Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ,
IRS ,
Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) ,
Required Minimum Distributions ,
Retirement Plan ,
Safe Harbors ,
SECURE Act ,
Training Requirements
Under pressure from business groups, Governor Baker and the leadership of the Massachusetts Legislature have announced an agreement to postpone the start of the new Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave ("PFML") law by...more
On June 28, 2018, Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (“PFML”) became law. PFML does not become available as a benefit until 2021, but employer obligations are beginning right now.
The new law applies to virtually...more
The recently enacted Massachusetts economic development package includes new restrictions on (but does not outright prohibit) the use of non-compete agreements in Massachusetts. The new law, which will amend M.G.L. c. 149...more
A new ruling was released last Friday by the Internal Revenue Service that presents a very intriguing possibility for employers looking to economically support employees with student debt burdens. The idea is that an employee...more
NEW TAX LAW MAKES CHANGES TO COMMUTING BENEFITS -
...The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) generally eliminates employer deductions for commuter transportation and parking fringe benefits. This includes deductions...more
2/22/2018
/ Affordable Care Act ,
Bi-Partison Balanced Budget Act (BBA) ,
Compensation & Benefits ,
Corporate Taxes ,
Employee Benefits ,
Income Taxes ,
IRS ,
New Legislation ,
Pass-Through Entities ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Retirement Plan ,
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ,
Tax Deductions ,
Tax Rates ,
Threshold Requirements ,
Wage and Hour
New Relief for Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements -
As mentioned in prior advisories, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury have taken the position that employers cannot reimburse...more
1/24/2017
/ 21st Century Cures Act ,
Affordable Care Act ,
Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
Covered Entities ,
Employee Benefits ,
Excise Tax ,
Filing Deadlines ,
Form 1094 ,
Form 1095 ,
HRA ,
IRS ,
Medicare Part B ,
Medicare Part D ,
Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Plan (QSEHRAs) ,
Self-Insured Health Plans ,
W-2
On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor released a Final Rule updating the overtime regulations that revises the salary test for the "white collar" exemptions to the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"). The Final Rule...more