Payroll Texas, Unique Aspects of Texas Payroll Law and Practice

There is no personal state income tax in Texas.Escheat laws in Texas require that unclaimed
Which means no withholding of State Incomewages be paid over to the state after one year
Taxes.and 180 days if less than $100.00. The employer
Not all states allow salary reductions made underis further required in Texas to keep a record of
Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to bethe wages abandoned and turned over to the
treated in the same manner as the IRS codestate for a period of 10 years.
allows. In Texas cafeteria plans are taxable forWages due a deceased employee are not
unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plancovered by any provision in Texas.
deferrals are taxable unemployment purposes.Texas State new hire reporting requirements are
The Texas State Agency charged with enforcingthat every employer must report every new hire
the state wage and hour laws is:and rehire. The employer must report the
The Texas Workforce Commissionfederally required elements of:
101 East 15th St.Employee's name
Austin, Texas 78778-0001Employee's address
512-837-9559Employee's social security number
You must file your Texas state W-2s byEmployer's name
magnetic media if you are have at least 250Employers address
employees and are required to file your federalEmployer's Federal Employer Identification Number
W-2s by magnetic media.(EIN)
Except for taxes and student loans there are noPlus they can optionally report
garnishments in Texas. No creditor other than theDate of Birth
IRS or one of the student loan collection agenciesDate of Hire
can take money out of your paycheck withoutPayroll address for Child Support Notice
your permission.This information must be reported within 20 days
The agency that collects and pays unemploymentof the hiring or rehiring.
benefits is the Texas Workforce Commission.The information can be sent as a W4 or
Its main office is in Austin, Texas. Their addressequivalent by mail, fax or electronically.
is:There is a $25.00 penalty for a late report and
Texas Workforce Commission$500 for conspiracy in Texas.
101 East 15th StreetThe Texas new hire-reporting agency can be
Austin, Texas 78778-0001reached at 888-839-4473 or on the web at
512-837-9559There is no provision in the Texas State Payroll
The unemployment rate varies based on yourlaws covering mandatory rest or meal breaks.
company's experience but the initial rate starts atCafeteria Plan and 401(k) deferrals that are
2.7% on the first 9000.00 of wages paid to anexempt from federal income tax are counted as
employee in the state.taxable income for unemployment insurance
There is no requirement in Texas for a companycalculation in Texas.
to carry Workers Compensation Insurance. TexasTexas requires magnetic media reporting of
is the only state where it is not required.earnings and contributions for unemployment
Texas now allows mandatory imposition of Directinsurance purposes if the employer has at least
Deposit. The employer just cannot choose the250 employees to report.
financial institution the employee has the right toTexas has no State Income tax so no State
pick any financial institution that accepts directW2's have to be prepared, distributed or
deposits. There must be no additional fees to thetransmitted to the state
employee for direct deposit.Texas has the following provisions for child
Another unique aspect of Payroll in Texas is theresupport deductions:
is no provision in the State law for overtime. AllWhen to start Withholding? Immediately after
overtime is governed only by FLSA if appropriate.receipt of order.
So a purely intrastate employer in Texas doesWhen to send Payment? Payday.
not have to legally pay overtime premium.When to send Termination Notice? Within 7 days
The state minimum wage in Texas is $5.15 perof termination.
hour. It used to be well under federal rates.Maximum Administrative Fee? $10 per month.
In Texas you must pay at least semi-monthlyWithholding Limits? 50% of disposable earnings.
except that FLSA-exempt employee can be paidThe Texas agency charged with enforcing Child
on a monthly basis.Support Orders and laws is:
Payment on termination in Texas is six days forChild Support Division
an involuntary termination and the next regularOffice of the Attorney General
payday for a voluntary resignation300 W. 15th Street
Texas requires the following information on anAustin, TX 78701
employee's paystub:512-460-6000
Employee's NameStates have different requirements for
Pay ratemaintaining wage and hour records that vary
Gross and net earningsfrom the two or three years FLSA requires
Amount and purpose of deductionsdepending on the type of record.
Hours worked or work done if piece work