Slate Payworx Inc

10/28/2026

A retirement-plan error may have a correction path
The IRS issued a new retirement-plan correction procedure on October 22.

It expands the ability of plan sponsors to self-correct certain eligible inadvertent failures, including some issues involving plan loans, documents, employee groups, SEP arrangements, and SIMPLE IRA plans.

Expanded correction options do not mean “just change the next payroll.” The employer still needs to identify affected participants, follow an available correction method, coordinate with the plan provider, and document the process.

If payroll deductions or contribution files are involved, payroll can provide the data—but the plan's TPA, recordkeeper, or qualified adviser should determine the correction method.

Official IRS update:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-update-retirement-plan-correction-program-and-establish-correction-program-for-individual-retirement-accounts

10/27/2026

A larger childcare credit, with an important catch
The federal employer-provided childcare credit is significantly larger for qualified expenses paid or incurred in 2026.

Eligible small businesses may be able to claim 50% of qualified childcare expenditures, up to a $600,000 annual credit. Other eligible employers may claim 40%, up to $500,000.

But an ordinary daycare reimbursement does not automatically qualify.

Eligible expenses can include operating a qualified childcare facility, contracting with a qualified facility or intermediary to provide care for employees, and certain resource-and-referral services. Facility licensing, nondiscrimination, documentation, and other federal requirements matter.

This is a federal general business credit claimed on Form 8882—not a payroll-tax credit. Employers should review an arrangement with their CPA before assuming it qualifies.

Official IRS guidance:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-provided-child-care-credit-tax-year-2026-and-later

10/26/2026

Thinking about changing payroll providers in January? Now is the time to start—not after the holiday rush.

Slate Payworx makes switching simple. Our local team handles the setup, transfers your payroll information and works to ensure you’re ready for the first payroll of the new year. Also, interesting this year is January 1 falls on a Friday - a common payday for most employers. Remember that payroll taxes and changes go off the *check date* this is important in changing and should be discussed around any payroll transitions. We can help with all of that!

Get the technology of a national provider with responsive support from local payroll people who know your business.

Start the conversation now for a smooth January transition.

Big payroll tech. Local payroll people.

603-329-2134
[email protected]

Slate Payworx provides local payroll processing, payroll tax filing, direct deposit, workers’ comp, 401k integration, and responsive support for small businesses in New Hampshire and New England.

10/23/2026

An email that says, “I changed banks—please update my direct deposit,” may be legitimate. It may also come from a compromised email account.

A simple payroll safeguard:
- Do not approve banking changes from email alone.
- Verify the request with the employee through a known phone number or in person.
- Limit who can enter and approve changes.
- Document the verification before the next payroll is processed.

The goal is not to make changes difficult for employees. It is to make it difficult for someone pretending to be an employee to redirect a paycheck.

Slate Payworx Inc. pairs modern payroll tools with a local team that helps clients think through practical payroll controls.

Big payroll tech. Local payroll people.

10/22/2026

The IRS is retiring its FIRE information-return filing system.

Current FIRE users must move to IRIS for tax-year 2026 information returns filed during the 2027 filing season. The final deadline for FIRE submissions is November 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

The important setup detail: a FIRE Transmitter Control Code does not replace the need for an IRIS TCC.

If your business or accounting firm files 1099-series or other IRS information returns directly, confirm who owns the filing process, apply for IRIS access, and check your software provider's plan before January.

This change does not move W-2 filing to the IRS; Forms W-2 and W-2c are still filed with Social Security.

Official IRS guidance:

IR-2026-99, Aug. 24, 2026 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded information return filers who currently use the Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system to prepare now for the system’s retirement and transition to IRIS before the 2027 filing season.

10/20/2026

The 2027 Social Security wage base will be $192,300, up from $184,500 in 2026.

The 6.2% Social Security tax rate is not changing. Because more wages will be subject to the tax, the maximum 2027 employer Social Security tax will rise to $11,922.60 per employee—an increase of $483.60 for an employee who reaches the new wage base.

For most businesses, this will be a routine payroll-system update. For employers building 2027 compensation budgets, it is a number worth including now.
Medicare remains separate and has no annual wage cap.

Official SSA details:

Cost of Living Adjustment

10/19/2026

Adding an employee who works in another New England state can create more payroll setup than many small-business owners expect.

Slate Payworx Inc. is a local New Hampshire payroll company serving small businesses throughout New England. We help employers keep employee setup, payroll taxes, direct deposit, and state-specific payroll details organized as their team grows.

If a new hire is crossing a state line, it is much easier to sort out the payroll setup before the first check. Give us a call or send a note.

603-329-2134
[email protected]

Slate Payworx provides local payroll processing, payroll tax filing, direct deposit, workers’ comp, 401k integration, and responsive support for small businesses in New Hampshire and New England.

10/16/2026

Year-end payroll is a team handoff

Year-end payroll involves more than producing W-2s.

Bonuses, taxable fringe benefits, retirement deductions, employee address changes, and unresolved tax notices can involve the employer, payroll provider, accountant, and benefit vendors.
The process works better when everyone knows who owns each item—and when questions are handled before the last payroll of the year.

Slate Payworx gives small businesses powerful payroll technology backed by a responsive local team that knows their account.

Big payroll tech. Local payroll people.

Slate Payworx provides local payroll processing, payroll tax filing, direct deposit, workers’ comp, 401k integration, and responsive support for small businesses in New Hampshire and New England.

10/14/2026

Do not search for your payroll login and click the first ad

The FBI has warned that criminals are buying search ads that imitate employee payroll and benefits websites. The fake site can look legitimate while stealing login credentials and one-time security codes.

A few simple protections:
- Bookmark the real employee portal.
- Type the known web address directly instead of using a search ad.
- Never give a one-time security code to someone who calls or texts you.
- Review every direct-deposit change and report anything suspicious immediately.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good time to remind employees that payroll credentials can lead directly to their paycheck and personal information.

FBI alert:

The FBI is warning the public that cyber criminals are targeting users of employee self-service websites owned by companies and government services.

10/13/2026

Check Roth catch-up setup before the final payrolls

Some employees age 50 or older may need a different retirement deduction once their 2026 contributions become catch-up contributions.
For 2026, an affected participant whose 2025 wages from the plan sponsor exceeded $150,000 generally must make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis.
Employers should not wait until an employee reaches the regular contribution limit to find out whether payroll and the retirement-plan recordkeeper are configured the same way.
Confirm the affected employees, Roth deduction code, and file feed now.
Official IRS guidance:

Individuals who are age 50 or over at the end of the calendar year can make annual catch-up contributions.