Payroll Law

Who should attend the Payroll Law seminar? 

This course is ideal for payroll professionals, HR personnel, business owners and anyone responsible for payroll processing or advising on payroll compliance. Whether you're new to payroll or need a refresher on the latest laws and best practices, this seminar provides actionable insights to help you avoid costly mistakes. 

What specific payroll topics are covered in this training? 

The seminar covers a wide range of essential topics, including FLSA exemptions, worker classification (employee vs. independent contractor), overtime rules, compensable time, paid vs. unpaid leave, garnishments, fringe benefits and how to prepare for audits and investigations. It also includes guidance on W-4, W-9, 1099-MISC, I-9 and E-Verify compliance. 

What are the benefits of attending this one-day seminar? 

By attending, you'll gain a clearer understanding of both federal and state payroll laws, learn how to avoid common compliance pitfalls and develop strategies for handling audits with confidence. You'll leave with practical tools to manage payroll more effectively and legally — and protect your organization from regulatory penalties. 

Payroll Management: Beginning with the End in Mind 

Why Payroll is About More than Just Numbers 

• Effective payroll administration goes beyond math — it's about legal compliance, risk management and protecting your organization from costly mistakes. In this essential session, you'll learn: 
• The hidden costs of misclassifying employees 
• What the IRS flags under QETP (Questionable Employee Tax Practices) 
• The top three questions auditors and investigators always ask — and why 
• How to establish “good faith” efforts that reduce penalties and demonstrate compliance 
• Five critical internal audits every payroll department should perform — none of them about math 
• What to do if you receive an FLSA complaint 

Decoding FLSA Overtime Exemptions 

Understanding Who Qualifies — and Who Doesn’t 

• Exempt vs. non-exempt: What’s the real difference? 
• The three exemption tests: Salary level, highly compensated employees and standard duties 
• Key exemption categories: Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Professionals 
• Rules for overtime-exempt pay and docking — avoid common missteps 

Worker Classification: Employee or Independent Contractor? 

Building a Reliable Classification Process 

• How to develop a solid worker classification system 
• W-9 compliance best practices 
• Understanding back-up withholding: When it applies and how to use it 
• Hot tips for correctly handling 1099-MISC reporting 
• Auditing your W-4 process to ensure accuracy 
• Staying compliant with E-Verify and new-hire reporting requirements 
• Payroll's role in I-9 compliance 

Payroll for Non-Exempt Employees 

Getting Time, Leave and Compensation Right 

• Paid vs. unpaid leave: What payroll professionals must know 
• What counts as compensable time under the law 
• Understanding “de minimis” time and how to apply rounding rules legally 
• Overtime: What’s required, what’s optional and what’s smart 
• How to spot and correct wage and hour violations before they escalate 
• Handling military leave correctly: When military pay overlaps with your payroll 
• Tips and uniform allowances: What counts as income? 
• Final paychecks: What you must pay when an employee leaves 

Special Payroll Considerations & Compliance Hot Tips 

Navigating the Tricky Stuff with Confidence 

• Prioritizing multiple garnishments: What comes first and why 
• Fringe benefits: When and how to tax them 
• The legal side of paycheck advances 
• Understanding compensation and fair market value rules 
• What kinds of employee gifts must be reported to the IRS 
• Withholding and reporting rules for cash vs. non-cash fringe benefits 
• Are cell phone stipends taxable? Here's how to find out