Month: August 2021

How Employers Should Handle Repayment of Deferred Payroll Taxes

For businesses large and small, staying in the black during the COVID-19 pandemic required an immense amount of skill, strategy and cost-cutting measures. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020, provided relief measures to help businesses and individuals survive their economic challenges.

One of these relief measures, the Deferred Payroll Tax, gave employers the option to defer their portion of Social Security taxes while business remained slow or stopped. This option was different from the additional executive order signed by President Donald Trump in August 2020 which allowed employees to defer their Social Security taxes.

Normally, employees and employers pay a combined 12.4 percent of each paycheck to the federal government for Social Security, with 6.2 percent by employers and 6.2 percent by employees. For employees, this is usually labeled FICA tax on pay stubs (FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act).

With businesses being hit hard by the pandemic, the federal government offered the option for employers to suspend payment of their half of these taxes, which many businesses decided to do to stay afloat.

For employers who opted in: it is now time to pay back the money owed. Repayment for these deferred loans began January 1, 2021, and these taxes need to be repaid by the end of this year (technically January 3, 2022, as December 31, 2021 is a holiday) to avoid any penalties from the federal government.

The IRS has made it clear that penalties and interest will apply to any unpaid balance of the deferred portion not paid on time, and that for employees who no longer work at the company or organization, the employer is entirely responsible for the deferred amount, both for their portion and the employees’ portion.

If you’re an employer who opted to defer your taxes, planning your repayment schedule needs to start now. Calculate the amount that you have due and set aside a portion of revenue to help fulfill this need during the next few months. More information about specific deadlines, and where to send your payments, is available on the IRS website. Your tax professional can also answer your specific questions, and help you make a plan.

With all the stress of the pandemic, accounting for your deferred payments doesn’t have to be challenging. Donohoo Accounting Services has more than 20 years of experience helping clients resolve their tax and financial issues. Contact us today or call 513-528-3982 for more information about repaying deferred payroll taxes, or to schedule a free consultation. We’re excited to serve you! For more tips and our latest updates, check us out on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!

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Six Credit Score Myths You Need to Know

If you’re like most people, you know the basics of what a credit score is for and how it works. Your score is a make-or-break determinant of whether you qualify for a loan and there are key things to know, and to avoid, concerning your score. Let’s debunk a few of the myths around credit scoring to put control in your hands, and avoid any potential harm to your score.

CREDIT MYTH #1: There’s only one credit score

There are actually thousands of formulas for calculating credit. Depending on what score your potential lender uses, your score could vary. However, FICO scores are most common, and widely available online.

CREDIT MYTH #2: Checking your credit score can lower your score

Only hard inquiries from lenders can lower your score. When you check your credit score, there is no impact on your credit. Hard inquiries, however, are flags on your account when a lender accesses your credit history, and can lower your score because it indicates you may be increasing the amount of your credit. Do this too often and you can be seen as a risk to financial institutions.

CREDIT MYTH #3: Lowering your debt will immediately raise your score

It depends on the type of debt you pay off, and your credit limits. Paying off debt is important, and often high debt can result in a lower score. Keeping your credit card balances low, for example, can help to keep your score high.

CREDIT MYTH #4: Your job impacts your score

The job you have and how much money you make a month has no direct impact on your credit score. However, the bank or loan company may want to see your proof of employment and a few paystubs to ensure that you have a steady source of income. This can help people who are building their credit score by proving they have the funds available to pay off the loan.

CREDIT MYTH #5: Closing your credit cards will raise your score

Potential lenders are more concerned with how much credit you are using rather than how much you could be using. Closing a credit card could actually lower your score because it decreases the amount of credit you have. Remember, your credit score is all about giving lenders a blueprint for how you manage your money. If you have nothing to show them, they can’t draw up a plan.

As a leading accounting services firm in Cincinnati, Donohoo Accounting Services strives to make our clients feel comfortable discussing their tax situation and finances. Still have questions about your credit score, and how you can improve it? Let’s get you on track! Contact us today or give us a call at 513-528-3982 to schedule a free consultation! For more tips and our latest updates, check us out on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!

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