Payroll California - Unique Aspects of California Payroll Law and Practice

The California State Agency that oversees theemployee's pay stub:Employee's Name
collection and reporting of State income taxesPay rate
deducted from payroll checks is:EmploymentGross and net earnings
Development DepartmentAmount and purpose of deductions
800 Capitol MallHours worked or work done if piece
Sacramento, CA 95814workCalifornia State Wage and Hour Law
888-745-3886provisions concerning pay stub information detail
requires that you use California form "DE 4A-4,the following information must be on the
Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate"paystub.Gross and net earnings
instead of a Federal W-4 Form for CaliforniaHours worked at each hourly rate for hourly
State Income Tax Withholding.Not all states allowworkers
salary reductions made under Section 125Piece rate and number of pieces
cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in theDeductions
same manner as the IRS code allows. In CaliforniaPay period dates
cafeteria plans: are not taxable for income taxEmployee's name and social security number
calculation; are not taxable for unemploymentEmployer's name and addressIn California
insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are: notemployees must be paid at least semimonthly,
taxable for income taxes; are taxable formonthly for FLSA exempt employees. The lag
unemployment purposes.In California supplementaltime between earned and paid is governed by
wages are taxed at a 6% flat rate, 9.3% forstatute in California. Wages earned from the 1st
stock options and bonuses.You are not requiredthrough the 15th of the month must be paid by
to file California State W-2s.The California Statethe 26th. Wages earned from the 16th through
Unemployment Insurance Agency is:Employmentthe end of the month must be paid by the 10th
Development Departmentof the following month. Exempt employees by the
P.O. Box 826880 - MIC 9426th of the month for the entire month (a safe
Sacramento, CA 94280-0001harbor is payment within 7 days after the pay
888-745-3886period.)California payroll law requires that
State of California taxable wage base forinvoluntarily terminated employees must be paid
unemployment purposes is wages up totheir final pay immediately; within 72 hours for
$7000.00.California requires Magnetic mediaseasonal employees; within 24 hours for certain
reporting of quarterly wage reporting if themotion picture (by next payday if laid off) and
employer has at least 250 employees that theycertain oil drilling employees. Voluntarily terminated
are reporting that quarter.Unemployment recordsemployees must be paid their final pay within 72
must be retained in California for a minimumhours; immediately if 72 hours' notice of quit is
period of four years. This information generallygiven; strikers on next regular payday.Deceased
includes: name; social security number; dates ofemployee's wages to a maximum of $5,000.00
hire, rehire and termination; wages by period;must be paid to the surviving spouse or
payroll pay periods and pay dates; date andconservator when an Affidavit of right and proof
circumstances of termination.The California Stateof identity are presented.Escheat laws in California
Agency charged with enforcing the state wagerequire that unclaimed wages be paid over to the
and hour laws is:The Department of Industrialstate after one year.The employer is further
Relationsrequired in California to keep a record of the
Division of Labor Standards Enforcementwages abandoned and turned over to the state
P.O. Box 420603for a period of seven years.There is no provision
San Francisco, CA 94142-3660in California law concerning tip credits against
provision in the law for minimum wage in theState minimum wage.In California the payroll laws
State of California is $6.75 per hour..The generalcovering mandatory rest or meal breaks are a
provision in California State Law covering paying30-minute meal break after five hours; 30
overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer is oneminutes after 10 hours; 10 minute rest after four
and 1/2 times regular rate after an 8 hour day,hours.California law concerning record retention of
40 hour week in most industries. Check for otherwage and hour records is two years..The
overtime rules and exemptions..California StateCalifornia agency charged with enforcing Child
new hire reporting requirements are that everySupport Orders and laws is:Department of Child
employer must report every new hire, rehire andSupport Services
contract who is paid over $600.00. The employerP.O. Box 944245
must report the federally required elementsSacramento, CA 95244-2440
of:Employee's name916-654-1532
Employee's addresswww,childsup,cahwnet.gov/default.htmCalifornia
Employee's social security numberhas the following provisions for child support
Employer's namedeductions:When to start Withholding? 10 days
Employers addressafter service
Employer's Federal Employer IdentificationWhen to send Payment? Within 7 days of
Number (EIN) Plus date of hire; state EIN; date,Payday.
dollar amount, expiration date of contract.ThisWhen to send Termination Notice? When next
information must be reported within 20 days ofpayment is due
the hiring or rehiring; or after $600.00 minimum isMaximum Administrative Fee? $1 per payment.
met or contract is signed whichever is earlier.Withholding Limits? 50% of disposable earnings.
.Please note that this article is not updated for
The information can be sent as a W4 orchanges that can and will happen from time to
equivalent DE34 by mail, fax or electronically.time.Charles J. Read, CPA has been in the payroll,
There is a $24.00 to $490.00 penalty for a lateaccounting and tax business for 30 years, the last
report in California.The California new hirefifteen in private practice. Mr. Read is the author
reporting agency can be reached at 916-657-0529of "How to Start a New Business".For Professional
or on the web at .California does allow compulsoryPayroll services at a Budget Price go to a
direct deposit but the employee's choice ofPaperless Payroll Company.Go to for a full service
financial institution must meet federal Regulation Epayroll service bureau.See an excerpt of Mr.
regarding choice of financial institutions.CaliforniaRead's interviews from William Shatners
does not allow compulsory direct depositCalifornia"Heartbeat of America" television show on the
requires the following information on anwebsites linked above.