Employment Forms Update

While employers in New York State are still in the throes of implementing New York’s new anti-sexual harassment training and other requirements, they would be remiss to let other changes to employment laws escape them. Staying up-to-date on employment forms is critical. Among other things, it helps enhance compliance with applicable laws and mitigates the chance of litigation, government investigations and/or liability for related civil penalties.

2018 UPDATES
Form W-4
In the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rolled out a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, in February of 2018. The 2018 version includes revised instructions for claiming exemptions from withholding and a revised worksheet, as well as the addition of a reference to the IRS’ online “withholding calculator,” which may be used in lieu of completing the worksheet. While the IRS is not requiring employers to obtain new Form W-4s from current employees, employers should be using the new Form W-4 for new hires. Additionally, the IRS’ open encouragement of wage earners to conduct a “paycheck checkup” using its online withholding calculator may spur current employees to submit a new W-4 regardless. The 2018 Form W-4 can be accessed on the IRS website. 

Paid Family Leave Law (“PFLL”) – New York State
While most PFLL-related forms were issued prior to January 1, 2018 (i.e., the commencement date of the Paid Family Leave program), new PFLL-related forms were issued by the New York Workers Compensation Board (“WCB”) as recently as May 2018

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