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Employee Benefits

Are You Ready to E-file Benefit Information Returns?

Are You Ready to E-file Benefit Information Returns?

Starting January 1 of this year, e-filing requirements under the Taxpayer First Act take effect. Now, employers that file 10 or more returns in total during a calendar year must do so electronically. This includes Affordable Care Act (ACA) filings. Failing to comply can result in significant financial penalties. Under

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Benefit Limits for 2024

Benefit Limits for 2024

Last updated on November 17th, 20232024 limits for certain employer sponsored retirement and welfare plans, as well as the Social Security Wage Base, were released earlier this month. Payroll and plan administration systems should be updated to reflect the new limits. In addition, plan sponsors should communicate the 2024 limits

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SECURE 2.0: Form 5500 Updates

SECURE 2.0: Form 5500 Updates

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) issued final rules on Form 5500 and Form 5500 Short Form (SF) changes starting for 2023 retirement plan year reports. Changes are part of the final phase of Setting Every Community Up

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ERISA: What to Know & Do as a Benefit Plan Fiduciary

ERISA: What to Know & Do as a Benefit Plan Fiduciary

Last updated on May 30th, 2023If you are a private employer that sponsors an ERISA-covered health and/or retirement plan for employees, it’s a good idea to review your responsibilities – and deadlines – to ensure compliance. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or ERISA is a Federal law

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Outsourcing Year-End Closing and Financial Statements: Eight Benefits for School Districts

Outsourcing Year-End Closing and Financial Statements: Eight Benefits for School Districts

Last updated on September 27th, 2024Financial management is a weighty responsibility for all organizations. School districts’ fiscal activities have the added burden of standing up to the multi-faceted demands and scrutiny of parents and taxpayers. More and more, school districts are outsourcing accounting – especially when it comes to budgeting,
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An Update on the New York State Foundation Aid Formula Study

An Update on the New York State Foundation Aid Formula Study

After Foundation Aid and the “hold harmless” provision survived New York’s 2025 budget process, Governor Hochul stated in her 2025 budget press release that education priorities include “a Rockefeller Institute study to examine Foundation Aid and prepare for formula changes next year.” Here’s what happened next… The Rockefeller Institute embarked on a
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Managing an Unassigned Fund Balance: An Overview

Managing an Unassigned Fund Balance: An Overview

Last updated on July 29th, 2024As part of a school district’s financial management, maintaining a reasonable unassigned fund balance provides a safety buffer for unforeseen expenses or revenue shortfalls. This is vital as it helps ensure adequate cash flow to cover the ongoing cost of operations. Managing these funds entails
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School District Audit Readiness Checklist

School District Audit Readiness Checklist

Last updated on July 3rd, 2024Putting in the time and effort to prepare for an audit can help your district facilitate a smooth process that saves time and money; leads to a reliable and objective audit report; and helps detect and rectify potential issues before the audit begins. Here’s a
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Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) for Teachers Are Making the Grade

Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) for Teachers Are Making the Grade

Last updated on June 13th, 2024In 2021, New York became one of the first states to approve a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for K-12 teachers. Three years later, RAPs are growing in number, with a variety of support and resources available to get programs off the ground and reap their
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Navigating the 2024-2025 Budget Season

Navigating the 2024-2025 Budget Season

As if the annual budget season for school administrators and Boards of Education (BOE) isn’t challenging enough, a lack of information about the final New York state budget’s impact on Foundation Aid and the hold harmless (also referred to as save harmless) provision, along with enrollment challenges and the pending
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2024-2025 NYS Regents State Aid Proposal: The Top 10 Line Items for New Funding

2024-2025 NYS Regents State Aid Proposal: The Top 10 Line Items for New Funding

Last updated on February 13th, 2024In December, the New York State Board of Regents unveiled its proposed budget and legislative priorities for 2024-2025. Priorities focus on supporting lifelong learning, academic success, and improved outcomes; advancing equity, excellence, and access; and rebuilding the Department’s ability to support districts, teachers, students, and
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Does Your District’s Cell Phone Policy Go Far Enough?

Does Your District’s Cell Phone Policy Go Far Enough?

It is estimated that 80% of school districts in the U.S. have some type of cell phone policy. Is yours going far enough? We enter 2024 with hundreds of lawsuits filed on behalf of children and school districts against social media behemoths for purportedly fostering addiction among young users of
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Map of Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs)

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  • Under Map Options select “Color QCR Qualified Tracts”