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• You can search for specific information (such as a state name) in this article. Details

  Follow these steps.

  1. Expand the text for the applicable sections or click the Show expandable text link at the top of this article to expand all text in the article.
  2. Press CTRL+F on your keyboard to open a search field above the toolbar.
  3. Enter the search term in the search field. As you type your search term, the Help & How-To Center highlights all instances of the term in the body of the article.
• If you are looking for a specific update, but it doesn't appear in this bulletin, try checking the Accounting CS Alerts & notices article. 
• New features and new reports that are released in this version might be protected by security privileges. If your firm has enabled firm security, please evaluate all enhancements and update your security groups as needed.

COVID-19 changes

• To find out how we're responding to the impact of COVID-19 on your firm's payroll process and general operations, and to access additional resources and news, see Accounting CS Coronavirus response - updates and resources

Accounting CS Payroll, for live payroll processing

In addition to any changes made for general payroll features listed above for after-the-fact payroll processing, the following changes have been made for the live payroll processing features specific to Accounting CS Payroll.

• New Mexico. We have updated the New Mexico Creditor Garnishment calculation. For more information, see Setting up creditor garnishments.
• For every release, be sure to check the Updates for payroll tax rates, limits, and minimum wage rates (year to date) article to stay on top of changes that may affect your firm and clients.

Payroll compliance

• Federal. Per the latest IRS guidance, we have removed the Form 941 e-file diagnostic that references Schedule R needing to be attached when the Employee Retention Credit exceeds $50,000. With this update, you can now e-file Form 941 returns that previously received this diagnostic message.
• New Mexico. The Taxation and Revenue Department is in the process of redesigning its Combined Reporting System (CRS) to create separate returns for Withholding Tax, Gross Receipts Tax, and Compensating Tax and other business-related tax programs. For tax periods starting on or after July 1, 2021, Form TRD-41414 will replace Forms CRS-1 and CRS-1 Short and will be used as the Withholding Tax return for Monthly, Quarterly, and Semiannually depositors.

  Note: We are closely working with the Taxation and Revenue Department on implementing the new form and internet file. We plan to release both on a future application update in time to meet the August 25th filing deadline for Monthly filers.

• Vermont. We have updated the Healthcare Contribution rate used for Form WHT-436 based on the latest version of Form HC-1 released by the state. Details
  Employers are exempt from paying the Healthcare Contribution if they have four or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Effective as of first quarter 2021 reporting, employers must pay an increased Healthcare Contribution amount for each uncovered FTE employee above the four FTE exemption threshold.

Updates for payroll tax forms, tax agents, and new hire files

To search for a specific state, locality, form, or file in one of the sections listed below, follow these steps.

• Payroll tax forms updated

  We have updated the following forms, internet files, and electronic files to the latest versions available from the agencies. Those forms marked with an asterisk (*) were released via an alert between application updates, not as part of the current release.

  Federal

  • Form 941 electronic file – We have removed the e-file diagnostic preventing Form 941 from being electronically filed if the Employee Retention Credit exceeded $50,000.

Accounting CS includes two interactive tools that provide valuable payroll tax information.

• The Payroll Form and Filing Information portlet provides information on federal, state, and certain local tax agents in the Home Dashboard or Firm Dashboard.
• The State-specific payroll tax form information article provides information on state payroll tax forms, processing tips, due dates, filing methods, agency information, tax payment details, state ID formats, e-filing notes, new hire reporting requirements, and more.