We understand how difficult and frustrating setting up payroll for the first time can be. EzPaycheck software now has a simple quick start guide to ensure an even more user friendly application. This guide can be viewed at:

EzPaycheck payroll software is very flexible. Yes, it can handle Different Pay. Differential pay is a financial term means an employee can earn extra for working a certain shift (ie: night shift).

EzPaycheck allows users to set up multiple pay rates for an employee during the same pay period. When user adds a new paycheck, he just needs to enter the hours and ezPaycheck will calcualte federal, state, Social Security and other taxes automatically. Then user can print paychecks on blank check stock and pre-printed checks.

Here is an example:

Employee XYZ works for two shifts during the same pay period. The pay rate for the first shift is $10. The pay rate for the second shift is $12.

1.      Start ezPaycheck, click the left menu “Company Settings”, then click “Wage Setup” sub menu to open Company Wage Setup Screen.

- Check one Regular wage item, then the “Change Name” button to rename it. You can rename it to “2ND shift” or other name.

- Save your change.

EzPaycheck payroll software is very flexible. Yes, it can handle multiple payroll rates in the same period for one employee.

Here is an example:

Employee XYZ works for two shifts during the same pay period. The pay rate for the first shift is $10. The pay rate for the second shift is $12.

1.       Start  ezPaycheck, click the left menu “Company Settings”, then click “Wage Setup” sub menu to open Company Wage Setup Screen.

-          Check one Regular wage item, then the “Change Name” button to rename it. You can rename it to “2ND shift” or other name.

-          Save your change.

2.       Add/ Edit Employee Setup  screen

3.       Enter the hourly Rates for different shifts

4.       Add a new check and enter the hours there.

New users can try ezPaycheck 30 days free. No credit card needed and no obligation.

EzPaycheck small business software saves employers' time by simplifying payroll tax calculation, paycheck printing and tax reporting. However if you like to calculate the taxes manually, you can find the step by step guide below

For example:

Karen is the employee of company ABC. She lives in Arizona. Her withholding rate is single/withhold at a single rate.  She has two allowances and no extra withholds.  She gets paid $10 per hour biweekly.  She works 64 hours for each biweekly pay period.

Followings are the steps to calculate the federal tax:
 

1. Gross pay for each paycheck: 
 
For each pay period, the gross pay is $640
 
2. Deduction for each paycheck:
The standard deduction is $3,900 per year (For Year 2013).
She can get total $3700*2=$7800
For each pay period the deduction is: $7800/26=$300

 
3. Taxable income for each paycheck
So for each paycheck, the taxable income is: 640-300=$340.00
 
4. Federal tax 
(340.00-85.00) * 10%=255*10%=$25.5

Current Federal Income Withholding Tax table
http://www.halfpricesoft.com/federal_income_tax_2013.asp

Table 2 -- Biweekly Payroll Period

EzPaycheck payroll software is designed to automate paycheck processes to reduce the time spent on running payroll. The software’s graphic interface leads users step-by-step through setting up employee information, importing data, calculating payroll—including calculation of federal, state and local taxes; deductions for Medicare, insurance and 401(k) plans; and printing paychecks.

Priced at just $89 per installation, ezPaycheck’s graphical interface and functions are so intuitive that even users without much computer or accounting experience can start automating payroll processes within minutes of installation. Additionally, customers can try ezPaycheck payroll software without cost or obligation for 30 days.

Paychecks changed for Rhode Island workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $1,000 which is unchanged during year 2013. However, if annual wage is greater than 207,950, the exemption will be 0. The Rhode Island income tax rates range from 3.75% to 5.99% and are levied on Rhode Island residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Rhode Island sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-RhodeIsland-2013.asp

• The old Rhode Island Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-RhodeIsland-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Oklahoma workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $1,000 which is unchanged during year 2013. The  The Oklahoma income tax rates range from 0.5% to 5.25% and are levied on Oklahoma residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Kansas sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Oklahoma-2013.asp

• The old Oklahoma Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Oklahoma-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for New York workers from Jan. 1, 2013

Beginning with tax year 2013, the New York State personal income tax rates have changed for most taxpayers. Accordingly, effective for payrolls made on or after January 1, 2013, employers must use the revised withholding tax tables and methods included to compute the amount of New York State taxes to be withheld from employees.

The withholding allowances for employee is increased in year 2013. The New York income tax rates range from 4% to 9.62% and are levied on New York residents’ income and non-residents’ income from New York sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-newyork-2013.asp

• The old New York Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-newyork-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for North Dakota workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $3,900 which is changed from $3,800 in year 2012. The  The North Dakota income tax rates range from 1.51% to 3.99% and are levied on North Dakota residents’ income and non-residents’ income from North Dakota sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-NorthDakota-2013.asp

• The old North Dakota Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-NorthDakota-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Nebraska workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $1,900 which is changed from $1,700 in year 2012. The  The Nebraska income tax rates range from 2.26% to 6.95% and are levied on Nebraska residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Nebraska sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Nebraska-2013.asp

• The old Nebraska Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Nebraska-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Missouri workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for single employee claims is $5,950 which is changed from $5,800 in year 2012. The  The Missouri income tax rates range from 1.5% to 6% and are levied on Missouri residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Missouri sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Missouri-2013.asp

• The old Missouri Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Missouri-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Maine workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $3,900 changed from $2,850 in year 2012. The  The Maine income tax rates range from 6.5% to 7.95% and are levied on Maine residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Maine sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Maine-2013.asp

• The old Maine Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Maine-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Minnesota workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $3,900 which is changed from $3,800 in year 2012. The  The Minnesota income tax rates range from 5.35% to 7.85% and are levied on Minnesota residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Minnesota sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Minnesota-2013.asp

• The old Minnesota Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Minnesota-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Maryland workers from Jan. 1, 2013

State of Maryland published the changes of county tax for resident and non-resident. The Maryland income tax rates range from 2% to 5.75% and are levied on Maryland residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Maryland sources. Anne Arundel county changes tax to 2.56%; Talbot county changes tax to 2.4%; Wicomico county changes tax to 3.2%.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Maryland-2013.asp

• The old Maryland Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Maryland-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Maine workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $3,900 changed from $2,850 in year 2012. The  The Maine income tax rates range from 6.5% to 7.95% and are levied on Maine residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Maine sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Maine-2013.asp

• The old Maine Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Maine-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Illinois workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $2,050 which is changed from $2,000 in year 2012. The  The Illinois income tax rates is 5% flat rate.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Illinois-2013.asp

• The old Illinois Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Illinois-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Kansas workers from Jan. 1, 2012

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $2,250 which is unchanged during year 2012. The  The Kansas income tax rates range from 3% to 4.9% and are levied on Kansas residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Kansas sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Kansas-2013.asp

• The old Kansas Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Kansas-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Idaho workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $3,800 which is changed from $3,500 in year 2012. The  The Idaho income tax rates range from 1% to 7.4% and are levied on Idaho residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Idaho sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Idaho-2013.asp

• The old Idaho Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Idaho-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for Colorado workers from Jan. 1, 2013

The withholding allowances for employee claims changed to $3,900. The  The Colorado income tax rates is 4.63% for annual income more than $2,200.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Colorado-2013.asp

• The old Colorado Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Colorado-2012.asp

Paychecks changed for partial Indiana workers from Nov. 1, 2012

State of Indiana published the changes of county tax for resident and non-resident on Nov 1, 2012.  The employee deduction is $1,000 and each qualified dependent deduction is $1,500 which are unchanged. Nancock County resident tax rate changes to 0.0155. All the other county tax rate keeps unchanged. 

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Indiana-2013.asp

• The old Indiana Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Indiana-2012.asp

Paychecks slightly changed for Kentucky workers from Jan. 1, 2013

Kentucky withholding tax rate keeps unchanged for the Year 2013. However, the Standard Deduction rate increased from $2,290 in Year 2012 to $2,360 in Year 2013. Kentucky income tax rates range from 2% to 6% and are levied on Kentucky residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Kentucky sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-Kentucky-2013.asp

• The old Kentucky Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Kentucky-2012.asp

ezPayCheck payroll software changed California tax rate from Jan 1, 2013

Effective Jan 1, 2013, California has increased low income exemption to $12,767 for Single, Married with 1 or 0 dependent annually and $25,537 for Married with 2 or more dependents. Annual standard deduction increased to $3,841 for Single and $7,682 for Married with 2 or more dependents. California income tax rates range changed from 1.1% to 14.63% and are levied on California residents’ income and non-residents’ income from California sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2013 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2013/taxrate-california-2013.asp

• The old California State Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-California-2012.asp

As a business owner, it is not uncommon you hire some employee that has some sort of wage garnishment on their earnings.

Wage garnishment is a legal procedure in which a person’s earnings are required by court order to be withheld by an employer for the payment of a debt such as child support.

Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) prohibits an employer from discharging an employee whose earnings have been subject to garnishment for any one debt, regardless of the number of levies made or proceedings brought to collect it. 

ezPaycheck payroll software comes with the flexible features and you can add a new custom deduction fieldly easily for wage garnishment. You can deduct it from ezPaycheck automatically by the fixed amount or by percent.

Step by step guide on how to add a new field to handle wage garishment can be found at
http://www.halfpricesoft.com/business-blog/post/2011/05/05/How-to-add-a-new-payroll-deduction.aspx

More information about Wage Garnishment can be found at
http://www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/wages-garnishment.htm

Paychecks changed for North Dakota workers from Jan. 1, 2012

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $3,800 in year 2012 which is increased from $3,750 in year 2011. The  The North Dakota income tax rates range from 1.7% to 4.9% and are levied on North Dakota residents’ income and non-residents’ income from North Dakota sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-northdakota-2012.asp

• The old North Dakota Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-northdakota-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for New York workers from Jan. 1, 2012

Beginning with tax year 2012, the New York State personal income tax rates have changed for most taxpayers. Accordingly, effective for payrolls made on or after January 1, 2012, employers must use the revised withholding tax tables and methods included to compute the amount of New York State taxes to be withheld from employees.

The withholding allowances for employee is increased in year 2012. The  The New York income tax rates range from 1.7% to 4.9% and are levied on New York residents’ income and non-residents’ income from New York sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-newyork-2012.asp

• The old New York Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-newyork-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for New Mexico workers from Jan. 1, 2012

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $3,800 in year 2012 which is increased from $3,750 in year 2011. The  The New Mexico income tax rates range from 1.7% to 4.9% and are levied on New Mexico residents’ income and non-residents’ income from New Mexico sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-newmexico-2012.asp

• The old New Mexico Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-newmexico-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for Minnesota workers from Jan. 1, 2012

According to Minnesota Department of Revenue, The withholding allowances for employee claims are $3,800 in year 2012 which is increased from $3,700 in year 2011. The  The Minnesota income tax rates range from 5.35% to 7.85% and are levied on Minnesota residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Minnesota sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes these changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Minnesota-2012.asp

• The old Minnesota Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-Minnesota-2011.asp

Withholding rate unchanged for Michigan workers after Oct. 1, 2011

The withholding Rate reduction scheduled to take place on Oct. 1, 2011, was repealed by Public Act 38 of 2011. Therefore, the income tax rate will remain 4.35% and withholding tables will remain unchanged.

The Persoanal Exemption Amount increased to $3,700.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Michigan-2012.asp

• The old Michigan Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-Michigan-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for Maine workers from Jan. 1, 2012

The withholding allowances for employee claims is $2,850 which is unchanged during year 2012. The  The Maine income tax rates range from 2% to 8.5% and are levied on Maine residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Maine sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Maine-2012.asp

• The old Maine Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-Maine-2011.asp

Paychecks slightly changed for Kentucky workers from Jan. 1, 2012

Kentucky withholding tax rate keeps unchanged for the Year 2012. However, the Standard Deduction rate increased from $2,210 in Year 2011 to $2,290 in Year 2012. Kentucky income tax rates range from 2% to 6% and are levied on Kentucky residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Kentucky sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

***********

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Kentucky-2012.asp

• The old Kentucky Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-Kentucky-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for partial Indiana workers from Dec. 1, 2011

State of Indiana published the changes of county tax for resident and non-resident on Dec 1, 2011.  The employee deduction is $1,000 and each qualified dependent deduction is $1,500 which are unchanged. Carroll County resident tax rate changes to 0.015039; Hendricks County non-resident tax rate changes to 0.005; Jasper County resident tax rate changes to 0.03114; Martin County resident tax rate changes to 0.015; Tipton County non-resident tax rate changes to 0.0158. All the other county tax rate keeps unchanged. 

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-Indiana-2012.asp

• The old Indiana Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-Indiana-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for District of Columbia workers from Jan. 1, 2012

District of Columbia withholding allowances for the Year 2012 will be $1,675 per witholding allowance. The new tax rate will not differentiate the single filer, married filer, and partner file jointly.  District of Columbia income tax rates range from 4% to 8.95% and are levied on District of Columbia residents’ income and non-residents’ income from District of Columbia sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-DistrictofColumbia-2012.asp

• The old District of Columbia Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-DistrictofColumbia-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for Delaware workers from Jan. 1, 2012

Delaware tax rate for income over $60,000 drops to 6.75% for tax years 2012 and 2013, and drops to 5.95% in 2014. Delaware income tax rates range changed from 2.2% to 6.75% and are levied on Delaware residents’ income and non-residents’ income from Delaware sources.  

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-delaware-2012.asp

• The old Delaware State Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-delaware-2011.asp

Paychecks changed for California workers from Jan. 1, 2012

Effective Jan 1, 2012, California has increased low income exemption to $12,527 for Single, Married with 1 or 0 dependent annaully and $25,054 for Married with 2 or more dependents. Annual stantard deduction increased to $3,769 for Single and $7,538 for Married with 2 or more dependents. California income tax rates range changed from 1.1% to 11.33% and are levied on California residents’ income and non-residents’ income from California sources.

EzPayCheck payroll software includes this changes in its 2012 version.

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2012/taxrate-california-2012.asp

• The old California State Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-California-2011.asp

On January 1, the minimum wage will increase in eight states, modestly boosting the incomes of more than 1.4 million low-wage workers in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. The state minimum wage rates will rise between 28 and 37 cents per hour—an extra $582 to $770 a year for a full-time worker—as a result of state laws that require the minimum wage to keep up with inflation. 

Source:

http://www.raisetheminimumwage.com/media-center/entry/eight-states-to-increase-minimum-wage-on-new-years-day/

San Francisco makes history by becoming the first city in the nation to scale a $10 minimum wage. The city's hourly wage for its lowest-paid workers will hit $10.24, more than $2 above the California minimum wage and nearly $3 more than the working wage set by the federal government.

Source:  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sf-becomes-first-us-city-084124973.html

Federal Minimum Wage Rate Table

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/Federal-State-Minimum-Wage-Rate.asp

ezTimeSheet software streamlines HR tasks on employee attendance tracking, vacation tracking and leave tracking. If you have not installed ezTimeSheet, you can start the non-obligation free test drive at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/time-tracking-time-sheet-download.asp

Step 1: Employee requests leave

·         Employee clicks the top menu “Employee->Add/View My Leave Request”.

·         Employee enter password, then he will see Leave Time Management screen

·         Employee clicks the Request Leave button to enter leave request details. Then save it. The current status of this request is PENDING. 

Step 2: HR manager approves request.

·         HR manager logs in as Administrator

·         Click the top menu “Administrator->Leave Time” to view “leave time management” screen

·         You may need to modify the date range to view the pending requests

·         Select this request from list, then click the Edit button to view request details. You can approve or deny or modify employee’s request on this screen. 

Optional Step: Generate leave report

Admin can generate leave report for employee by clicking the top menu “Administrator->Reports” to generate employee leave report.

The Employee Attendance Tracking Software is a system that has various advantages which include but is not limited to; its affordability, ease of maintenance, accountability, efficacy and ease of payroll processing. This program has been used by many organizations and has proved to be relevant. It is therefore recommended that each enterprise or firm should utilize this software to enjoy the benefits of low operating and service costs.

Affordability

The affordability of this system is in its small initial investment. To be precise its initial and maintenance capital is low. The system is almost half the cost of most automatic machines. Moreover, there are no extra tools to buy like in the case of most machines. It thus posses to be inexpensive.

Ease of Maintenance

Its ease of maintenance is due to the fact that it is not divided into many components. There is therefore no need for replacement, servicing or support costs as they are not incurred. It only needs a comprehensive support program to ensure a long term operation and function.

This system is different from other ordinary machines as it has no workings such as gears, motors or other components that wear and tear. The program would not lose its function unexpectedly and there will be no day that you will have to refer it to a mechanic.

Accountability

The use of time cards helps to enhance its accountability. Every worker will be accountable for the actions that one will take. No blame will thus be shifted from a worker to another. Cheating will also be minimal as everyone is answerable. Employers would therefore not have a hard time in coordination and supervision of their staff.

Time cards also work in favor to both business owners and workers. It protects business owners by helping them identify the numbers of hours that their staff have actually said they did. On the other hand, it protects the staff because they can identify the number of hours they have worked thus making it hard for their employers to cheat them out of their remuneration package.

Efficacy

This system also helps to maintain efficacy in a business. It even detects time management in an orderly manner. The program registers who is in and who is not in real time. Moreover, less paper work is required therefore reducing storage space and outlay. This system provides management with access and adequate knowledge of each member of staff in their organization. It thus runs the firm in an effective and efficient manner.

Ease of payroll processing

Payroll processing is also simple as its paycheck is not complicated. The time cards reports submit an application to your firm payroll rules and regulations to instantaneously sum normal hours and overtime. Entries that have been modified are tracked for easy monitoring and evaluation. Time spent totaling, reading and detecting payroll rules to manual time cards can be practically reduced or even eliminated.

Employee Attendance Tracking Software is thus an important system that has proved to be vital to many organizations. One such software that comes highly recommended by many small-business owners is ezTimeSheet employee attendance and time tracking software, which automates employee time, PTO, sick and vacation tracking tasks, and frees up managers’ time for more important tasks.

Employee attendance tracking shouldn't be a nightmare for employers.

Employee attendance tracking shouldn't be a nightmare for employers. Small business software provider, EzTimeSheet employee attendance tracking software automates employee time-tracking tasks and frees up managers’ time for more important tasks.

You can install ezTimeSheet on a stand-alone machine and use it as Time-Clock software. Or you can installed it on multiple machines and share the same database over network.

Here is the instruction how to set up network database when using ezTimeSheet Employee attendance tracking software.

Log on the first machine with administrator permission

Step 1: Install ezTimeSheet on your first machine (or server). 

ezTimeSheet free download

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/time-tracking-time-sheet-download.asp

Step 2: Start ezTimeSheet. You can click the top menu "settings->Manage Database" to open Manange Database screen to view your current database path.

Step 3: (optional) Click "Backup Current Database" button to copy your current database to a network location.

Step 4: (optional): Then set up the database path to this new location.

For the 2nd machine, 3rd machine..

Install ezTimeSheet then repeat step 3. Then all users will share the same database file over network.

Washington state's minimum wage is increasing to $9.04 an hour starting in January.

The Department of Labor and Industries announced the change Friday, raising the barrier from $8.67 an hour. The move will keep the state's minimum wage as the highest in the nation

View Minimum Wage Rate by State
http://www.halfpricesoft.com/Federal-State-Minimum-Wage-Rate.asp

Source:
http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/sep/30/wash-minimum-wage-moving-up-to-904-per-hour/

Paychecks take a double hit from income tax hike starting Aug. 1

Many Connecticut wage earners will notice their paychecks shrinking faster than anticipated starting this August, when the Department of Revenue Services begins implementing the new $875 million state income tax increase.

That's because the tax hike, which adds three new tax rates, reduces a property tax credit and adds an earned income credit for poor families, is retroactive to Jan. 1, but won't be drawn from paychecks until August.

That means the state's tax agency, which released new withholding tables this week, has five months to collect 12 months' worth of tax obligations. For the 22 weeks between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, the additional withholding will be about 2.4 times the increase that will be applied starting in January 2012.

Source: http://www.ctmirror.org/story/12652/state-income-tax-hike-hits-paychecks-august

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http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-Connecticut-2011.asp

• The old Connecticut State Tax Tables can be found at:

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/2011/taxrate-Connecticut-2011-Before-Aug.asp

We just released a new video about ezTimeSheet, the employee attendance tracking software. You are welcome to view it at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDmG_PQbQds

When Halfpricesoft.com's users send flowers to mom for this Mother's day, they can get a gift for themselves as the same time. Halfpricesoft.com, a leading provider of easy-to-use software for small businesses and families, partnered with TrialPay for the coming Mother's day and lets customers obtain small-business and family software for free when users purchase from advertisers who pay the cost of the software.

Louisville, Ky.-based software developer Halfpricesoft.com specializes in creating software that is ready to use as soon as it’s installed; no long learning curve or bulky user manuals. Founded in 2003, Halfpricesoft.com has established itself as a leader in meeting the software needs of small businesses around the world with its payroll software, employee attendance tracking software, check writing/printing software, W2/1009 software and barcode generating software. It continues to grow with its philosophy that small business owners need affordable, user friendly, super simple, and totally risk-free software.

"Everyone loves getting free stuffs. But through our partnership with TrialPay, consumers can get their favorite software for free and get something else they want in the process." said Dr Ge, the founder of halfpricesoft.com. "It's a remarkable way to treat our customers to free software, while ensuring that the software's copyrights are properly obtained."

For this Mother's day, Halfpricesoft.com offers several products for free through TrialPay, including:
- ezCheckPrinting, business version check writing and printing software
- ezCheckPersonal personal check writing software
- ezTimeSheet, computer-based time clock software for tracking employee hours
- blank check stock for use with ezCheckPrinting, ezPaycheck and ezCheckPersonal software
- stock for printing W2, W3, 1099 and 1096 forms

EzCheckpersonal is one hot selection for family users and this check writing software is available for free download at http://www.halfpricesoft.com/check-printing-personal-software-download.asp. Few things are as frustrating as sitting down to pay the bills and realizing the checkbook has run out of checks. Customers of Halfpricesoft.com’s ezCheckPersonal never have this problem. With this easy-to-use laser check printing software installed on a home computer, customers have a nearly unlimited supply of checks.

"It's a win-win-win-win situation: the customer gets free product, we make sales, the TrialPay advertiser makes sales, and TrialPay gets commissions." said Dr Ge, "You're getting something for Mom anyway. Why not get something for yourself at the same time?"

To learn more about halfpricesoft.com and the free offers, please visit: http://www.halfpricesoft.com

Automating employee attendance management processes and slashing the time it takes to run payroll is now easy and affordable for small businesses with ezTimeSheet, the PC time clock software designed specifically for small business owners and HR department managers. And the newly released update version is more powerful and user-friendly than ever.

This update is the software developer's response to customers' requests for increased reporting options. The new edition include more flexible edit function, permission control, report feature and timesheet lock/unlock features, which will save user’s time in payroll processing and tax reporting filing. User can download this new version free from http://www.halfpricesoft.com/time-tracking-time-sheet-download.asp, with no cost and no obligation.

“We have a strong following of small business customers who love our other time-saving and money-saving software titles and requested a software solution to one of their biggest time-wasters: employee time tracking,” said Dr. Ge, founder of Louisville, Ky.-based Halfpricesoft.com. “ezTimeSheet was developed to meet that need. Customers now spend a fraction of the time they used to on time-tracking tasks.”

With ezTimeSheet, the tedious chore of calculating and managing employee time and attendance no longer needs to be a concern for small business owners and busy human resources managers. Advantages provided by ezTimeSheet include . . .

Reduced payroll costs - ezTimeSheet eliminates overpayment on payroll by automatically checking for duplicate and overlapping time entries.

Frees up time by automating time-tracking tasks - Once employee information is set up, including pay rates, ezTimeSheet time tracker automatically calculates each employee’s regular work hours and overtime hours, producing payroll-ready data that can easily be exported for use with other software, including both ezPaycheck and ezCheckPrinting from Halfpricesoft.com.

Easy to use and learn - ezTimeSheet’s graphical interface is highly intuitive and guides users through each process step by step. Most small businesses are ready to start tracking employee time in less than an hour (actual time depends on the number of employees), even for users with no accounting or computer skills.

ezTimeSheet has an amazing array of features that make time-tracking and payroll tasks simple and easy, including:

- Easy-to-use graphical interface that allows employees to punch in and punch out via computer

- Automatic time tracking that automatically calculates gross payroll figures

- Automatic check for duplicate and overlapping time entries

- Administrator can enter and edit time data when necessary

- Administrator can add notes to individual time entries

- Flexible report features that are easy to use

- Export report data to Excel, PDF or image formats for analysis and sharing

- Export payment data to .CSv file for use with other software

- Separate password protection for administrator and employees

- Equipped for network access

- Backup feature to protect database

- Free updates

This time clock software available for risk free trial - No cost or obligation to download

The single-user version of ezTimeSheet can be downloaded for free from the Halfpricesoft.com website: http://www.halfpricesoft.com/time-sheet-tracking-software.asp. Customers can test all the features and capabilities of ezTimeSheet with no time limit to be sure that ezTimeSheet will meet their needs before purchasing a license key. However, the single-user version is limited to use with one administrator and one employee. To activate ezTimeSheet for use with more employees and administrators, customers simply return to the Halfpricesoft.com website to purchase the appropriate license key. For a limited time, ezTimeSheet license keys are available at the following discounted prices:

- 5-user license key — $26 (Regularly $39)

- 10-user license key — $39 (Regularly $59) or free through TrialPay (details online)

- Unlimited-user license key — $66 (Regularly $99)

When To File Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Form

Your Form 941 is due by the last day of the month that follows the end of the quarter.

1. First Quarter:  January, February, March 

Quarter Ends: March 31

Form 941 is due: April 30

2. Second Quarter:  April, May, June 

Quarter Ends: June 30

Form 941 is due: July 31

3. Third Quarter:  July, August, September

Quarter Ends: September 30

Form 941 is due: October 31

4. Fourth Quarter:  October, November, December

Quarter Ends: December 31

Form 941 is due: January 31

Did you know that you can save a lot of time, money and hassle using check printing software capable of printing MICR numbers compared to either pre-printed checkbook checks or pre-printed computer checks?

Federal regulations require checks to have routing transit number and account numbers printed in MICR to reduce check fraud. If you checks don’t have MICR numbers, banks will reject them. MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, which is a system for printing and reading numbers on a check. It uses a unique number font and prints them with a magnetic ink. This specialized printing speeds up bank processing and makes counterfeiting and forgeries more difficult.

There are two ways to get your checks encoded with MICR numbers. You can have your checks pre-printed with the required information printed in MICR, either in checkbook format or in page format for printing from your computer. Or you can print MICR numbers on blank check stock using MICR-capable check printing software.

There are several advantages to printing on blank check stock over using pre-printed checks:

Security
Printing checks when you need them, rather than having pre-printed checks lying around, minimizes opportunities for someone to steal your checks. Plus, password-protected computerized data is safer from prying eyes than ledger books. It’s also easy to create back-ups of the data should something happen to your computer or premises.

Convenience
Running out of checks is a pain. But when you use software to print on blank check stock, you never run out of checks and have to wait for new checks to arrive. A new supply of checks is as close as your local business supply store.

Save time
You can import your check data and print hundreds of check with just a few clicks. If you’ve ever written out payroll checks or paid bills by hand, you know how time consuming this is. Not only do you have to write each check individually, but then you have to log the payroll data into your accounting software. With check printing software, you input the data into your accounting software and a few more click exports it for printing.

Save money
Using blank check stock is much less expensive than having checks pre-printed. Plus, if you ever have to change banks or change your address or other information on your checks, you don’t have to have new checks printed—you just change the information in your check printing software and it prints the new information on the checks.

Report for tax time
Tax time is simplified with check printing software. Just a few clicks of the mouse generate a full report of all the checks you’ve written in the past year.

Customize your check with logo to get your brand in the market place.
Pre-printed checks cost more than blank check stock, but getting those pre-printed checks customized with your logo and slogan runs up a really hefty price tag. Check software allows you to personalize your checks easily. Just upload your logo image to the software and it prints automatically. Customized checks are an easy way to promote your brand in the marketplace as you pay for goods and services.

One MICR-capable check printing software title that is popular with small businesses is ezCheckPrinting from www.halfpricesoft.com/product_ezCheck.asp. EzCheckPrinting has all the features that high-end check printing software titles offer for small businesses without the high-end price tag. Starting at just $29 per installation or FREE through online special offer, ezCheckPrinting is affordable for any size business and is compatible with all popular brands of laser printers (most of which can print bank-accepted MICR numbers) and specialized MICR printers.

Followings are the steps to move ezCheckPrinting from the old machine to a new one.

1. Install ezCheckPrinting first on your new machine.
Download link:
http://www.halfpricesoft.com/check_printing_software_download.asp
 
2. Enter ezCheckprinitng key

3. Copy your current database file from old machine to the USB disk
 
Open ezCheckPrinting application on your old machine and insert your USB disk. Click top menu "Accounts->Backup Current Accounts" to backup current database file to usb disk. You can enter the new name as you like.

If you have more one accounts, please select a new database as your current one and back up them one by one.

4. Copy the database file from USB disk to the application folder on your new machine.

Start ezCheckPrinting on the new machine, then click the top menu "Account->Restore account" and select the file from the USB disk. ezCheckPrinting will copy this backup file to your new machine.

 
5. Select the new database file as current company database by clicking the top menu "Accounts->Select Account".

If you are user of the previous version 3.0.6 or older, please review the Check Setup (by clicking the top menu "settings->check setup") after you update to the new version. You may need to add the MICR code after the Account Number.

ezCheckPrinting updated database to support more features since version 4.0.1.

Form 941 (Year 2011) - Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return

What’s New

Social security and Medicare tax for 2011.  The employee tax rate for social security is 4.2%. The employer tax rate for social security remains unchanged at 6.2%. The Medicare tax rate is 1.45% each for employers and employees.

Do not withhold or pay social security tax after an employee reaches $106,800 in social security wages for the year. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to Medicare tax.

Section 3121(q) Notice and Demand - Tax due on unreported tips.  A new line has been added to Form 941 for reporting social security and Medicare taxes on unreported tips. An employer now reports the amount of the taxes shown on the Section 3121(q) Notice and Demand on line 5e of the employer’s Form 941 for the calendar quarter in which notice and demand is made. Previously, a section 3121(q) liability was reported on the line for “Current quarter’s adjustments for tips and group-term life insurance.”

Qualified employer’s social security tax exemption expired.  The qualified employer’s exemption for their share (6.2%) of social security tax on wages/tips paid to qualified employees expired on December 31, 2010.

COBRA premium assistance credit.  The credit for COBRA premium assistance payments applies to premiums paid for employees involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008, and May 31, 2010, and to premiums paid for up to 15 months. See COBRA Premium Assistance Payments on page 7.

Advance payment of earned income credit (EIC).  The option of receiving advance payroll payments of EIC is no longer available after December 31, 2010. Individuals eligible for EIC in 2011 can still claim the credit when they file their federal income tax return. Individuals who received advance payments of EIC in 2010 must file a 2010 federal income tax return.

Federal tax deposits must be made by electronic funds transfer. Beginning January 1, 2011, you must use electronic funds transfer to make all federal tax deposits (such as deposits of employment tax, excise tax, and corporate income tax). Forms 8109 and 8109-B, Federal Tax Deposit Coupon, cannot be used after December 31, 2010. Generally, electronic funds transfers are made using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). If you do not want to use EFTPS, you can arrange for your tax professional, financial institution, payroll service, or other trusted third party to make deposits on your behalf. Also, you may arrange for your financial institution to initiate a same-day wire payment on your behalf. EFTPS is a free service provided by the Department of Treasury. Services provided by your tax professional, financial institution, payroll service, or other third party may have a fee.

For more information on making federal tax deposits, see section 11 of Pub. 15 (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide (for use in 2011). To get more information about EFTPS or to enroll in EFTPS, visit www.eftps.gov or call 1-800-555-4477. Additional information about EFTPS is also available in Publication 966, The Secure Way to Pay Your Federal Taxes.

Resources:

Form 941 Instructions
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i941.pdf

publication 15
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf

Basic Information about Form 941

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/business-blog/post/2011/03/14/Form-941-Employers-Quarterly-Federal-Tax-Form.aspx

Halfpricesoft has released the new version of ezPaycheck payroll software on latest 941 form (Year 2011).  ezPaycheck is the easy-to-use and affordable payroll software for small business and non-accountants. ezPaycheck calculates payroll taxes automatically and supports check printing feature, forms 941, 940, W2 and W3.

To learn more about ezPaycheck, please visit: http://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp

Or check the video ezPaycheck Made Your Payroll an Easy Job
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JISurtSXoZ0

Following is the basic information about Form 941 - Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Form. More information can be found from IRS site.

What is form 941:

Form 941- Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Form is the form used by employers to report employment taxes , withholding amounts, deposit amounts, and amounts due to the IRS. 

Who Must File Form 941?

Use Form 941 to report the following amounts.

·         Wages you have paid.

·         Tips your employees have received.

·         Federal income tax you withheld.

·         Both the employer's and the employee's share of social security and Medicare taxes.

·         Current quarter's adjustments to social security and Medicare taxes for fractions of cents, sick pay, tips, and group-term life insurance.

·         Advance earned income credit (EIC) payments.

·         Credit for COBRA premium assistance payments.

·         Exemption for qualified employer's share of social security tax on wages/tips paid to qualified employees.

Do not use the Form 941 to report backup withholding or income tax withholding on nonpayroll payments such as pensions, annuities, and gambling winnings. Report these types of withholding on Form 945, Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax.

After you file your first Form 941, you must file a return for each quarter, even if you have no taxes to report, unless you filed a final return or one of the exceptions listed below applies.

Exceptions

Special rules apply to some employers.

• Seasonal employers do not have to file a Form 941 for quarters in which they have no tax liability because they have paid no wages. To tell the IRS that you will not file a return for one or more quarters during the year, check the box on line 19 every quarter you file Form 941. See section 12 of Pub. 15 (Circular E) for more information.
• Employers of household employees do not usually file Form 941. See Pub. 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide, and Schedule H (Form 1040), Household Employment Taxes, for more information. 
• Employers of farm employees do not usually file Form 941. See Form 943, Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees, and Pub. 51 (Circular A), Agricultural Employer's Tax Guide.

When To File Form 941

Your Form 941 is due by the last day of the month that follows the end of the quarter.

1. First Quarter:  January, February, March 

Quarter Ends: March 31

Form 941 is due: April 30

2. Second Quarter:  April, May, June 

Quarter Ends: June 30

Form 941 is due: July 31

3. Third Quarter:  July, August, September

Quarter Ends: September 30

Form 941 is due: October 31

4. Fourth Quarter:  October, November, December

Quarter Ends: December 31

Form 941 is due: January 31

Halfpricesoft has released the new version of ezPaycheck payroll software on latest 941 form (Year 2011).  ezPaycheck is the easy-to-use and affordable payroll software for small business and non-accountants. ezPaycheck calculates payroll taxes automatically and supports check printing feature, forms 941, 940, W2 and W3.

To learn more about ezPaycheck, please visit: http://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp

Or check the video ezPaycheck Made Your Payroll an Easy Job
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JISurtSXoZ0

ezCheckPrinting allows users to print checks on the blank check paper. You can export your target checks from Quickbooks, Quicken to CSV file. Then import these data into ezCheckPrinting and print bulk checks. You access this function by clicking the top "Import/Export" menu. 

This is one article from intuit on how to Export payroll data

http://payroll.intuit.com/support/kb/1000008.html 

When you export from excel, you should save it as csv file. 

or 

Another option is to Export the Payroll Summary Report.  When you get to the Payroll Summary report then click on the Export button at the top you will then have the option to select .csv file.

Related articles: 

• How to print QuickBooks compatible checks 

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/articles/how-to-print-quickbooks-micr-blank-check.asp 

• How ezCheckPrinting works with Quickbooks, Quicken, PeachTree and other software

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/business-blog/post/2011/03/07/How-ezCheckPrinting-works-with-QuickBooks.aspx

• How to print checks with logo

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/articles/sb-check-printing-software-add-logo.asp

ezCheckPrinting is the check writing and printing software. User can use it with Quicken, Quickbooks or other software in the following ways.

1. Print Checks on the Blank Stock in step within QuickBooks and Quicken

EzCheckPrinting Virtual Printer allows users to print checks from QuickBooks and Quicken in one step. You just need to install both ezCheckPrinting application and ezCheckPrinting Virtual Printer on your local machine. When you print checks in QuickBooks and Quicken, just select ezCheckPrinting Virutal Printer as your printer, you will be able to print checks on the blank check stock in one step. And these checks will be imported into ezCheckPrinting software at the same time.

View more details here
http://www.halfpricesoft.com/business-blog/post/2012/03/08/How-to-print-QuickBooks-on-Blank-Check-Paper.aspx

2. Print the pre-printed blank checks to fill in manually that are compatible with QuickBooks, Quicken and other software

You can use the Print Blank Check funtion to print the pre-printed checks. It will save you time and money.
 
You can try this function by clicking the top menu "Print Checks->Print blank checks".
 
Here is step by step guide.
http://www.halfpricesoft.com/articles/how-to-print-quickbooks-micr-blank-check.asp

3. Import check data from .csv file and Print checks on the blank check paper.
ezCheckPrinting allows users to print checks on the blank check paper. You can export your target checks from Quickbooks, Quicken to CSV file. Then import these data into ezCheckPrinting and print bulk checks. You can access this function by clicking the top "Import/Export" menu.
 

Related articles: 

• How to print QuickBooks compatible checks 

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/articles/how-to-print-quickbooks-micr-blank-check.asp 

• How to print checks with logo

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/articles/sb-check-printing-software-add-logo.asp 

• How to prnt QuickBooks check on the blank check paper

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/business-blog/post/2012/03/08/How-to-print-QuickBooks-on-Blank-Check-Paper.aspx

• How to export check data from QuickBooks

http://www.halfpricesoft.com/business-blog/post/2011/03/07/How-to-export-check-data-from-QuickBooks.aspx