Payroll News

IRS Finalizes 2026 Form W-2

The final version of the 2026 federal wage and tax statement was released Jan. 9 by the Internal Revenue Service.

Missouri Governor Pitches Phasing Out Individual Income Tax

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe called on lawmakers to put a question before voters that would allow the state to eliminate its personal income tax.

More States Expected to Decouple From Trump’s Tax-Cutting Agenda

Lawmakers in Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island took on a task that most states ignored last year: passing legislation to separate from the tax-cutting features of President Donald Trump’s signature 2025 law.

New Mexico Releases 2026 Unemployment Insurance Information

New Mexico released its 2026 unemployment insurance tax rates and wage base on its Department of Workforce Solutions website.

Bloomberg Tax Publishes Payroll by the Numbers for 2026

The 2026 Payroll by the Numbers, a quick reference guide for payroll professionals, is now available for download.

Practitioner Insights

View More Insights

Buy or Build? New IRS Online Platform Forces E-Filers to Choose

Tara Ferris

AI Quietly Rewrites Professional Services Firms’ Talent Model

James O’Dowd

Patrick Morgan

IRS Upheaval Makes Patience and Tech a Tax Pro’s Best Friends

Alina Solodchikova

RSM US

Latest Stories

2 Maryland Counties Increase Tax Rates for 2026

Two Maryland counties increased their income tax rates for 2026, the state comptroller’s office said Jan. 21.

By Jamie Rathjen

NYC, Sanitation Workers Ask Judge to Approve $4.3 Million Deal

A large group of New York City sanitation workers have agreed to settle their wage claims against the city for $4.3 million, and are asking a federal district judge to approve the deal.

WashU Medical School Gets Researcher’s Wage Claims Pared Back

Washington University in St. Louis’ medical school defeated a researcher’s attempt to pursue wage-and-hour allegations on behalf of other workers but must face her individual overtime claim.

Slovenia to Raise Minimum Wage by 16% in 2026: Labour Minister

Slovenian government decides to raise gross minimum monthly wage by 15.97% to €1,482, Minister of Labor, Family, Social Affairs and Equal opportunities Luka Mesec says at a press conference.

IRS Leader Shake-Up Bleeds Criminal, Civil Enforcement Oversight

The line between tax auditors policing mere civil infractions versus serious tax crimes is blurring in the latest reorganization at the top of the IRS.

IRS Clarifies Tip Reporting in Form W-2 Draft Instructions

Draft instructions for 2026 Forms W-2, released Jan. 16 by the Internal Revenue Service, clarify the use of multiple Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes in the new Box 14b and reporting of contributions to state paid family leave programs.

Starbucks Settles COBRA Notice Suit After Losing Arbitration Bid

Starbucks Corp. agreed to settle a proposed class action challenging the health coverage notices it sends to former employees.

UPS Negotiates Class Settlement in Paid Military Leave Lawsuit

United Parcel Service Inc. plans to settle a class action claiming it wrongly denies paid leave to employees who serve in the military.

New Jersey Relaxes Family-Leave Benefits Eligibility Criteria

New Jersey is expanding eligibility for family-leave insurance benefits and protecting employees’ use of temporary disability benefits under a bill that is expected to take effect in July.

Belgium Indexes Minimum Wage for 2026

Belgium’s standard monthly and hourly minimum wages were indexed effective retroactively to Jan. 1, 2026, the country’s Federal Public Service Employment, Labour, and Social Dialogue said Jan. 20.