Previous TWC Tax Department Quarterly Report Inserts

Texas Minimum Wage Increase

Section 62.051 of the Texas Minimum Wage Act automatically adopts the federal minimum wage as the Texas minimum wage. In 2007, Congress passed, and the President signed, legislation increasing the federal minimum wage for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Effective July 24, 2009, both the federal and Texas minimum hourly wages will increase to $7.25 per hour.

Electronic Reporting Required

Employers with 10 or more employees are required to use magnetic or electronic media to report their wages. TWC offers an Internet application, Unemployment Tax Services, for filers reporting 500 or fewer employees and a software application known as QuickFile for filers reporting any number of employees. Visit www.texasworkforce.org for more information about electronic filing.

Unemployment Tax Services

Using Unemployment Tax Services, employers can:

a) Submit quarterly wage reports
b) Pay unemployment tax
c) View tax account information
d) Update tax account information
e) Adjust previously filed wage reports
f) Request Forms

The Unemployment Tax Services system uses the same level of encrypted data transmission security as the IRS, banking industry and other high level security systems.

For more information about Unemployment Tax Services, go to http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/tax/emtaxinfo.html.

Important Information About Layoffs

TWC certainly hopes that your business is weathering these tough times, but if you are in the unfortunate position of having to downsize, these tips can help both you and your employees.

• If you are laying off 10 or more employees, use our Mass Claims program. Visit our online information at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/bnfts/masscinfo.html. Filing a mass claim eliminates the need for employees to apply individually, and for you, the employer, to respond to each claim individually.
• Individual employees can apply for benefits, request payment, register for work search and view their claim status online at http://www.texasworkforce.org. Encourage laid off employees to do as much on line as possible; it saves phone calls to our overloaded telephone lines.
• When you receive notice that an employee has applied for benefits, respond immediately, rather than waiting for the full 14 days. The quick response will speed payments to your ex-employees.

Employers!

TWC Training Funds Available for Employees who are Vets

• The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has created the $1 million Returning Veterans Skills Training Fund to provide employer-driven skills training for recently separated veterans.
• Private Texas employers can submit applications for veterans training in most any field by partnering with established training providers. From aerospace to welding, manufacturing to health care, training should meet the specific needs of Texas employers and upgrade the skills of Texas workers who are returning veterans.
• To apply, download the grant application at http://www.texasworkforce.org/svcs/funds/vet_scholarship.html and return it electronically to vet.scholarproject@twc.state.tx.us through Nov. 1, 2010. Training grants will not exceed $1,000 per veteran. For more information, contact George Bousquet at (512) 936-0401 or George.Bousquet@twc.state.tx.us.

Secure                       Simple                       Convenient

Nine out of ten employers surveyed would recommend UTS to other employers.
Check it out today at http://www.texasworkforce.org/ui/tax/emtaxinfo.html

TWC designed the Unemployment Tax Services (UTS) system using industry-standard encryption technology to provide the highest level of security for data. Unlike printing and mailing a report, you receive an instant confirmation of receipt. You make the choice to pay by mail, by on-line Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction, or by credit card. Plus, you have the option to file your report any time during the month and schedule a payment for settlement later in the month. UTS also allows companies to:

Report all employees on a single report, whether they have one or five hundred;
Coordinate tax reports with business accounting software;
Save a prepared report and submit it at a later date;
Access, view, save, and print reports from the past six years; and
Request tax-related forms.

Companies with ten or more employees in any quarter are required to file electronically. Employers of any size can take advantage of this free filing utility.

Texas Minimum Wage Increase

Section 62.051 of the Texas Minimum Wage Act automatically adopts the federal minimum wage as the Texas minimum wage. Federal law raised the federal minimum wage from $5.85 to $6.55 effective July 24, 2008.

Payday Law Compliance

TWC's Labor Law Section administers the Texas Payday Law, which regulates the payment of wages in Texas. According to the Texas Payday Law, an employer is obligated to pay wages for all time worked, in accordance with the pay-rate agreed upon by the parties and on the posted, scheduled paydays. For questions on the payday law, please contact the Labor Law Section at 1-800-832-9243 or visit our website at www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/lablaw/lablaw.html.

Secure                       Simple                       Convenient

Nine out of ten employers surveyed would recommend UTS to other employers.
Check it out today at http://www.texasworkforce.org/ui/tax/emtaxinfo.html

TWC designed the Unemployment Tax Services (UTS) system using industry-standard encryption technology to provide the highest level of security for data. Unlike printing and mailing a report, you receive an instant confirmation of receipt. You make the choice to pay by mail, by on-line Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction, or by credit card. Plus, you have the option to file your report any time during the month and schedule a payment for settlement later in the month. UTS also allows companies to:

Report all employees on a single report, whether they have one or five hundred;
Coordinate tax reports with business accounting software;
Save a prepared report and submit it at a later date;
Access, view, save, and print reports from the past six years; and
Request tax-related forms.

Companies with ten or more employees in any quarter are required to file electronically. Employers of any size can take advantage of this free filing utility.

Texas Minimum Wage Increase

Section 62.051 of the Texas Minimum Wage Act automatically adopts the federal minimum wage as the Texas minimum wage. Federal law raised the federal minimum wage from $5.85 to $6.55 effective July 24, 2008.

Payday Law Compliance

TWC's Labor Law Section administers the Texas Payday Law, which regulates the payment of wages in Texas. According to the Texas Payday Law, an employer is obligated to pay wages for all time worked, in accordance with the pay-rate agreed upon by the parties and on the posted, scheduled paydays. For questions on the payday law, please contact the Labor Law Section at 1-800-832-9243 or visit our website at www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/lablaw/lablaw.html.

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