Customer Alert: Connecticut State Income Tax Update

Connecticut State Income Tax Calculation Update is Now Available

This alert is to notify you of Sage Employer Solution's response to recent Connecticut State Income Tax requirements. If you do not process payroll in the state of Connecticut, please disregard this Customer Alert.

Connecticut recently enacted legislation that makes significant changes to the State's Income tax withholding calculations retroactively to January 1, 2011. These income tax changes are in effect for the entire tax year. Employers are required to adjust the withholding amounts for employees affected by the new rates and additional provisions. Connecticut employers and tax payers need to implement the new tax rates and follow these additional requirements:

• Allow for additional tax provisions to recapture tax from taxpayers over certain income brackets
• Implement a tax rate phase out for the 3% tax rate
• Perform catch-up withholding for the current tax year
  

To maintain compliance with the new Connecticut legislation effective August 1, 2011, as of July 26, 2011 Sage has a tax update specifically for users mandated to make these changes. The Sage Abra Suite Connecticut tax update contains provisions for the following:

• To calculate the new withholding tax amount
• Allow for the recapture amounts
• Implement the phase out of the 3% tax rate
• Calculate the catch-up amount for each employee affected.
  

These Updates are now Available for Download:

1. Download the update specific to your Abra version from SupportPlus Online.
2. Select Quarterly Tax Updates Available Here!
3. For Abra Suite v7.88, Select CT Tax Update v7.88.22 from either Site 1 or Site 2, download and save the CT_Tax_Updatev7.88.22.zip file to the appropriate location.
4. For Abra Suite v9.07, Select CT Tax Update v9.07.32.01 from either Site 1 or Site 2, download and save the SageAbraSuite09_073201.zip file to the appropriate location.
5. There is a new Crystal Report installed with the update in the ...\Data\CustomReports\Payroll folder CT Catch-Up Withholding.rpt.
6. Please read the Release Bulletin included with the Product Update for important information regarding changes and installation instructions.
   

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need technical help with downloading or applying this Product Update. Give us a call at 860-678-4401 or send us an email (abratechsupport@sage.com).

Live Chat is available from SupportPlus Online. While not intended for the complex issues or balancing questions, Live Chat is great when you need help from a customer support representative on locating and applying the tax updates, locating pertinent documentation and locating our helpful videos.

Note for our customers processing payroll in the state of Connecticut: Our release of Abra Suite Version 9.1 will coincide within a few weeks of the 3rd Quarter Tax Updates. Therefore, Version 9.1 will not address the 'Connecticut State Income Tax Calculation Updates' until the 3rd Quarter 2011 product release for Version 9.1. If you are planning to upgrade to Version 9.1, we recommend upgrading with the availability of the 3rd Quarter product tax updates.

Webinar: In House or Outsourced Payroll Processing - Exploring the Options

In House or Outsourced Payroll Processing - Exploring the Options
Whether you want to process your payroll in house or outsource it, as a Sage Abra HR user you have options. Attend this webcast and explore how integrating you Sage Abra HR software with either Sage Abra Payroll software or the CompuPay outsourced payroll service can simplify your HR and payroll processes.

August 11, 2011, 1:00PM - 2:00PM Eastern Time
August 25, 2011, 1:00PM - 2:00PM Eastern Time
September 8, 2011, 1:00PM - 2:00PM Eastern Time
September 22, 2011, 1:00PM - 2:00PM Eastern Time

Click here to register for this webinar or call 1-860-678-4401.

Sage Webcast; Paperless Payroll With the Sage Payroll PayCard

Offer your employees a cost-effective and secure way to receive their paycheck electronically with the Sage Payroll PayCard. Find out how easy it is to enroll and start offering your employees a new payroll benefit immediately!

Many employers are quickly realizing the benefits of offering their employees electronic payroll paycards, including convenience, cost-savings, security, and a higher retention rate. The Sage Payroll PayCard works the same as a direct deposit transaction so there is no software to install and no hardware to purchase. Find out how easy it is to enroll in the Sage Payroll PayCard by attending this
webcast.

Please click here to register, email lstrong@cmshris.com or call us at 1-800-517-9099.

Sage Abra Customer Alert

Sage Abra Q4 2010 Quarterly Tax Updates expected to be delivered the week of December 27th

This Alert applies to Abra Suite and Abra SQL HRMS with Payroll

The Federal Government released 2011 tax rates as of Friday Dec 17th. In response to this release, Sage Abra Q4 2010 Quarterly Tax Updates are delayed and are expected to be delivered the week of Dec 27th. This delay is necessary to incorporate the federal tax rate updates in Q4 which will minimize customer confusion and avoid the need to apply a hot fix after the Q4 update has been delivered.

The Q4 2010 Quarterly Product Update for Abra Suite 7.7x, 7.8x and 9.0x, as well as, Abra SQL HRMS Payroll 8.5, 10.0 and 10.1 will contain the Social Security employee tax rate changes per the legislation passed and signed by President Obama on December 17, 2010. The full extent of this change is described as follows:

Under The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which was signed by President Obama on December 17, 2010, the employee's share of Social Security tax in 2011 will be reduced from 6.2% to 4.2%. Therefore, the maximum an employee would pay in Social Security tax (if the employee is paid at least the wage base of $106,800) is $4,485.60. Employers would continue to pay the full rate of 6.2% for a maximum of $6621.60 on at wage base of $106,800 for 2011.

In addition we are delaying the release to address the following:

• Employee Tax Rate for Railroad Tier 1 Reduced, Effective January 1, 2011
• Employee Tax Rate for Social Security Reduced, Effective January 1, 2011
• Federal Withholding Tax Changes, Effective January 1, 2011
  

All other tax items addressed in Q4 are documented in the Release Notes. Upon availability, both Sage Abra Suite Payroll customers and Sage Abra SQL HRMS Payroll customers will receive an alert notifying of availability to download the tax update from Support Plus Online.

Visit SupportPlus Online at http://www.SageAbra.com/support.aspx/

Sage Abra Payroll Quarterly Tax Update Available

It's easy to calculate the correct payroll taxes with Sage Abra SQL HRMS Payroll-thanks to quarterly tax updates available for download right from SupportPlus Online. To help you, we've provided instructions, download links, and other important information below.

Download your quarterly tax update in
three easy steps

1. Visit the SupportPlus log on page
2. Enter your User Name and Password (or register for a new member login)
3. Follow the simple instructions to download the tax update

Tips for a successful tax update

Downloading and installing your quarterly tax update is quick and easy. Here are a few suggestions to help you with the process:

• Check your software version. The Q2 2010 tax update is compatible with Sage Abra HRMS versions 8.4 and 10.
• Set aside enough time for the download. Most of the time, downloading only takes a few minutes. Customers with a dial-up Internet connection may need to set aside about 30 minutes for the file transfer process.
• Let us know if you need help. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need technical help with downloading the Q2 tax update. Give Brian Kelly a call at 800-517-9099 or email us at bkelly@cmshris.com

Sage Expands HR Management Software Choices for Nonprofit and Government Organizations

Sage North America announced the expansion of its human resource (HR) management offerings for the nonprofit and government sector. Two new modules will provide fully integrated HR, employee self-service (ESS), payroll, and tax compliance capabilities to small and midsized nonprofits and government agencies who use the Sage MIP Fund Accounting nonprofit financial management software. For organizations requiring a more robust HR management system, Sage Abra HRMS will continue to meet those needs, as it has done for the past 25 years.

"With the economic events of the past year, and the recovery taking place now, nonprofits and government organizations, like their business counterparts, need more information than ever about their most critical asset: their employees," said Johnny Laurent, vice president and general manager for Employer Solutions at Sage. "Our range of integrated HR technology options allow nonprofit and government organizations of any size to strategically leverage their human capital."

The new Human Resource Management module for Sage MIP Fund Accounting is fully integrated to the software's Payroll and GL (general ledger) modules, providing nonprofit customers with full data management, as well as quick and easy reporting and tracking. The new Employee Web Service (EWS) module for Sage MIP Fund Accounting provides employee self-service (ESS) functionality for nonprofits, and fully integrates with the software's Human Resources Management and Payroll modules. Using the module, employees and managers can securely enter, update, and approve timesheets and other records online.

"By allowing us to maintain all HR, payroll, and accounting data in one place, the new Sage MIP Fund Accounting HR modules help us reduce redundant data entry and increase data accuracy," said Tony Miller, CFO for the Oklahoma City-County Health Department in Oklahoma City, Okla., a Sage MIP Fund Accounting customer and early adopter for the new modules. "Having one integrated system for accounting, purchasing, and HR/payroll should result in substantial savings, including $15K in annual license and maintenance fees."

The Human Resource Management and EWS modules for Sage MIP Fund Accounting are available now. For more information about those modules, or Sage MIP Fund Accounting, in general, please visit www.sagenonprofit.com or call 800-517-9099. For more information about Sage Abra HRMS, please visit www.cmshris.com or call 800-517-9099.

About Sage MIP Fund Accounting
Available as licensed software or in a remotely hosted environment, Sage MIP Fund Accounting is Sage North America’s software for nonprofit and government financial management. First introduced in 1982, the product was developed specifically for the unique accounting and reporting challenges faced by nonprofit and government organizations, and features a unique modular architecture. Sage MIP Fund Accounting has been honored with numerous industry awards, including four consecutive Campbell Awards from Campbell Rinker for exceptional ratings in the Nonprofit Accounting Software Survey, a nationwide survey of accounting software users.

About Sage Abra HRMS
Sage Abra is human resource management system (HRMS) software that delivers tightly integrated HR, payroll, benefits and attendance functionality, plus rich reporting and analysis tools. Sage Abra also includes a Web workforce portal with employee self-service that enables company-wide communications, benefits enrollment and more. The product line features support for multiple databases, with Abra SQL supporting Microsoft SQL Server, and Abra Suite supporting Visual FoxPro.

About Sage Nonprofit Solutions
Sage North America has been serving nonprofit and governmental organizations for more than 30 years. The company currently helps more than 3.1 million small and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada increase efficiency and more easily manage their operations through the use of technology. From fund accounting, donor and fundraising management, and fixed asset management, to online donation processing, human resources, payroll, and health care, Sage offers a software product or service to meet the organization's need.

About Sage North America
Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. Sage North America employs more than 4,100 people and supports 3.1 million small and medium-size business customers, including medical practices supporting more than 80,000 physicians in the United States. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 13,400 people and supports 6.1 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the website at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

Register Now for End-Of-Year Payroll Classes

Sage Abra Payroll Year-End Classes (Web Based)

These Sage Abra Payroll Year-End classes are designed to make you proficient in closing year-end, producing year-end forms, and creating electronic and magnetic media files for IRS compliance using Abra Payroll.

Course 1 - Fundamentals of Regulatory Setup
Course 2 - Managing Exception Processing Requirements
Course 3 - Processes of Year End Closure
Course 4 - Filing of Regulatory Tax Documents

Dates Available:
November 12 - 13 2007
December 17 - 18, & 20 - 21 2007

Register online today, space is limited, and they fill up fast!
Click here to register.