MA EMAC payments not being computed properly in Enhanced Payroll

Some of what you're seeing, where the tax keeps calculating, is because each tax in QuickBooks keeps track of it's own taxed wages. Based on your description, it sounds like the tax was not included on some or all of the employees for a period, like a quarter. If so, then the wages didn't accumulate during that period.

QuickBooks won't do what you ask, to auto-calculate a tax if there are enough employees for a quarter, or to exclude it if there aren't.

Probably the best thing to do for next year is:

- Set up all of the employees with the tax and let it calculate.

- At the end of the quarter, if it turns out you don't owe the tax, then enter a liability adjustment for each employee that negates the tax amount, but not the wages.

- Repeat as needed each quarter.

This way, the wages will accumulate, as well as the liability. And then if you need to pay it you'll know how much to pay.  And if not, then adjust it away.

There use to be a checkbox years ago to avoid this issue. It said if you have fewer than 6 employees then check this box. It would then set the contribution rate to 0.

Ever since they removed this box I have spent countless hours on the phone with support (each and every quarter) because it auto updates to .34%........

My questions are:

Why was the checkbox removed?

Why can't they configure it to calculate % based on the number of employees in a given quarter?

Is there a corporate contact to finally get a resolution to this?

Everyone I speak with over the years tell me they will send feedback, but nothing has changed.

I can also see how important managing the features of setting contribution rates in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) Payroll, MECINC. Rest assured, I'm here to address your questions.

The QBDT Payroll option no longer includes a checkbox even before. It means the program can't automatically calculate based on the number of employees. Instead, the automatic calculation is on employee setup, tax rate, taxable amount, annual limit, or rate.

As a workaround, you can follow what BigRedConsulting mentioned above:

• Set up all of the employees with the tax and let it calculate.
• At the end of the quarter, if it turns out you don't owe the tax, then enter a liability adjustment for each employee that negates the tax amount but not the wages.
• Repeat as needed each quarter.

You can also refer to this article to get a closer look and understand how your payroll taxes are calculated. So you'll know the taxes reported on your employees' paychecks and payroll forms.

In addition, you can check this article to find information on the latest payroll update (22413) for earlier release updates: Get the latest payroll news and updates in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

Please ask me any follow-up questions or clarifications in the comment section about payroll features in your QBDT. I'll be here to help you.

I should have specified this is with QBO, not desktop.

Also, this is an employer tax, not an employee.

There is an edit button in the payroll settings for this, but its never worked...... So, a call is always required.

I recognize the significance of accurately managing employer taxes, @MECINC. Let me route you directly in the right direction of support to help you in editing your employer's taxes in QuickBooks.

For specialized help, I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Online Payroll Support team. Our experts have access to advanced tools, including screen-sharing capabilities, enabling them to thoroughly investigate and resolve any issues. They can also make necessary edits to the tax rates on your behalf for added convenience.

Here's how you can get in touch with our support team:

1. Log in to your QuickBooks Online company, then go to Help (?).
2. Click on Search, then Contact Us.
   
3. Select Payroll as a topic, and choose Have us call you to save your spot in line. We will call you back to connect with us.
   

    

Our Support team for Payroll Core is available Monday to Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM PT, while the QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium and Elite support teams are available any time, any day.

In the future, if you want to generate payroll reports to gain valuable insights about your business and employees, you can refer to this article for detailed instructions: Run payroll reports.

If you have further questions about managing payroll taxes in QuickBooks, please leave a Reply below. We're always available to attend to your concerns. Keep safe.