Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Payroll Tax Contributions Delayed until October 1, 2019
Background
On Tuesday, June 12, 2019, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, along with state house and senate leadership just announced that they have agreed to implement a three-month delay to the Massachusetts’s Paid Family Leave Act. While the legislature will need to pass an emergency bill before the delay is official, this announcement is welcome news for employers scrambling to comply with what was supposed to be a July 1, 2019 payroll contribution start date to October 1, 2019.
Summary
As a result of this delay, the first tax payment from employers will be due by January 31, 2020, for covered wages paid from October 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. It is also anticipated that the payroll tax rate may be increased to 0.75% (from the current 0.63%) when the payroll tax takes effect on October 1, 2019. The increase to the tax rate has not yet been confirmed.
In addition, this delay may also provide time for the Department of Family and Medical Leave to issue further guidance and clarification with respect to various aspects of the law that were unclear. We will continue to monitor further development and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Employer Next Steps
- With all of these changes, it is unclear if the current June 30, 2019, deadline for employers to hang up the workplace poster and send notifications to their workforce will also be delayed. If you have not sent the required notice or hung up the workplace poster, we recommend waiting at least a few days until further information is released from the Governor and legislative leaders regarding the potential increased tax rate.
- If you have already distributed the required notice to your workforce, you can consider sending a follow up email or other communication letting your workforce know that the tax being levied will start October 1, 2019 instead of July 1, 2019.
- HR Knowledge is following these developments closely and will provide further updates as soon as we are able to.
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This content is provided with the understanding that HR Knowledge is not rendering legal advice. While every effort is made to provide current information, the law changes regularly and laws may vary depending on the state or municipality. The material is made available for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice or your professional judgment. You should review applicable laws in your jurisdiction and consult experienced counsel for legal advice. If you have any questions regarding this content, please contact HR Knowledge at 508.339.1300 or email us.
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