If you want to buy a car or house, open a bank account, or get a job, you need a Social Security number. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like that, but for your business. Many businesses need an EIN to operate. And if your business is one of them, you must know how to […]
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Federal-mandated Laws - Tips, Training, and News
What is E-Verify and How Do You Use it for Employment Eligibility Verification?
August 20, 2026As an employer, you’re responsible for collecting certain forms from new hires, like Form I-9. Form I-9 is a form that confirms your employees are legally allowed to work in the U.S. To help confirm the eligibility of your new employees, you can use E-Verify. So, what is E-Verify exactly?
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What Does the Department of Labor Do?
August 20, 2026As a business owner and employer, you need to know about the Department of Labor (DOL), labor laws, and more. That’s a lot of information to remember. Plus, you might have questions. Specifically, you might be asking, What does the Department of Labor do? And, you may be wondering how the DOL’s laws impact you […]
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FLSA Statute of Limitations for Back Pay and Beyond
August 19, 2026Employees might be entitled to back pay thanks to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA is a federal law that entitles employees to a minimum wage and overtime wages. When employers don’t give employees at least the minimum wage and overtime wages when required, employees might be able to receive FLSA back pay […]
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Do You Have to Follow the IRS Next-Day Deposit Rule?
August 19, 2026As an employer, it’s your responsibility to collect, file, and deposit payroll taxes with the proper agencies (e.g., IRS). Depending on your payroll and tax liability amount, you may need to deposit taxes more frequently. If you tend to have a heftier payroll, you need to learn about the Next-Day Deposit Rule.
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What Is an FEIN? What to Know When Starting a New Business
August 18, 2026Running a business means meeting a lot of government requirements and following a number of laws. One of the first things to do when starting your business is apply for an FEIN. But, what is an FEIN? And, do you have to have one? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and more.
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Handling the Payroll Complexities of Crossing the 50-employee Threshold
August 6, 2026Key Takeaways − Hitting 50 employees is a major compliance milestone, especially under federal benefits and health coverage rules. Payroll gets more complex as you add benefits, more pay types, and tracking. You may also face multi-state issues. You need tighter processes, better systems, and clear documentation to avoid penalties and payroll errors. A modern […]
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When Is Rounding Employee Time Illegal?
July 22, 2026Key Takeaways − You can round employee time in some cases, but it must be neutral, not one-sided. Federal law (FLSA) allows rounding in small increments (e.g., 5, 6, or 15 minutes) if it does not consistently favor the employer. Rounding is illegal when it regularly shortchanges employees, especially minimum wage or overtime pay. Some […]
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Navigating Local, State, and Federal Minimum Wage Discrepancies
July 20, 2026Key Takeaways − When minimum wages conflict, you generally must pay the highest applicable rate. You may need to compare federal, state, and local (city/county) rules for each employee. Multi-state payroll means tracking different rates, different rules, and different effective dates. Document your process, update rates on time, and use tools like payroll software to […]
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How to Future-proof Your Small Business Payroll Before Tax Laws Change (Again)
July 17, 2026Key Takeaways − Tax laws change constantly, and payroll is usually the first place you feel it. You do not need to track every new rule yourself; your payroll system should do the heavy lifting. Future-proofing payroll means automating tax calculations, staying updated through your software, tightening your data, and standardizing processes. Patriot’s payroll software […]
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