When it comes to compensation and benefits, the end of the year is a busy time for employers. It's a time to wrap up matters for the current year and consider new policies for the coming year. Here are some actions to take into account.

Set year-end bonuses

Many companies choose to offer annual bonuses to employees. Bonuses are tax-deductible, but when do you deduct them? Assuming that you report your income and expenses on a calendar-year basis, then:

• If you are a cash basis business: Deduct the bonuses in the year in which they are paid. If you pay NaN bonuses in NaN, they're deductible for NaN. If you pay NaN bonuses in {}, they're deductible in {}.
• If you are an accrual basis business: Bonuses declared (and accrued) before the end of the year are deductible in this year if they are paid within 2½ months after the close of the year (provided that the employee is only required to be employed on the bonus declaration date and not on the bonus payment date). However, bonuses paid to S corporation shareholder-employees are not deductible until paid. For owner-employees in a C corporation, the bonus is deductible only when paid in the case of a personal service corporation or for majority (more than 50%) owners.

Set compensation for next year

As you prepare your budget for the coming year, you may want to factor in pay raises for your staff. Of course, the amount you offer depends on what you can afford after factoring in both the cost of compensation and payroll taxes.

Here are the current Social Security rates depending upon whether you are an employee of self employed:

Please understand that where wage paid employees have the employer match their FICA deduction, this does not exist with self-employed. Self-employed pay as both the employee and the employer.

Advise employees about unused benefits

Some of the benefits that employees earned or paid for in {} may expire at the end of the year. Consider company policy for these benefits and advise employees accordingly:

• Vacation, sick days, or personal leave time: Under company policy, can unused days be carried over? And if so, are there limits to the amount that can be carried over?
• Flexible spending accounts for medical costs and dependent care: Usually, FSAs have a use-it-or-lose-it feature. Generally, amounts remaining in the account at the end of the year are forfeited. However, plans may allow employees to submit claims within a set time (e.g., 30 days after the close of the year) for expenses incurred in the previous year. For example, an employee may submit reimbursement for a medical expense incurred on December 15, {}, by January 30, [object Object]1. A medical FSA can provide for a grace period of up to 2½ months after the close of the year for new expenses. Or the FSA can allow for a carryover of up to $500; the FSA cannot offer both a grace period and carryover option. Advise employees about the terms of your plans.

Sign up employees for next year's benefits

You may offer a menu of benefits that employees can choose from, including:

• 401(k) plans: If your company matches contributions, inform employees about the matching amounts.
• Medical coverage: If your company offers a health plan, be sure that employees are signed up for coverage that begins on January 1, {}. If you offer more than one type of plan, provide an explanation of the options. Also, if you have a medical FSA, allow employees to commit to their {} contributions. The maximum contribution limit for {} is $2,750

You may have other or additional benefit offerings to explain to your staff so that they can be in place at the start of the new year.

Conclusion

Many employers prioritize finding qualified workers as a top business concern. This can play a factor as you finalize your payroll activities this year, and set compensation and benefits for next year.