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Join nowThe new W-4 message that appears when picking the 2020 and Later W-4 option offers very incorrect payroll advice. Also it includes several English errors and otherwise uses such awkward English as to appear to have been written by someone who speaks and writes English as their second language:
Issues:
- The first bullet, highlighted in yellow, is absolutely wrong and incorrect payroll advice. This leads your payroll customers, who may believe this, to do the wrong thing!
The law states that an employer should withhold at the older rate until an employee submits a new W-4. When the employee submits a new 2020 W-4, then the employee should enter that data into QB. The hire date has absolutely nothing to do with this change.
Also, "or they would like to adjust their withholding amount" doesn't make sense. The W-4 is a required form to be used when an employee is hired and at any time in the future when the employee needs to communicate a change in status to the employer. The W-4 data is then use by employers to calculate their federal withholding based on the employees attributes like single/married and so on. One small part of the form allows the employee to have an additional amount withheld, but "adjusting the amount" isn't how that is usually communicated, and the case for the message shouldn't be either.
- The second bullet uses grammatically awkward and incorrect English and is missing at least one word:
"It is suggested that you complete payroll run for this employee for the year 2019."
This could be written in any of the following ways and be correct:
"It is suggested that you complete all payroll runs for this employee for the year 201.9" is accurate, but doesn't really convey the intended message.
"It is suggested that you complete all payroll runs for this employee for the year 2019 before choosing this W-4 form type." actually conveys the intent of the message, but is still a bit strange.
"Complete all payroll for this employee for 2019 before choosing this W-4 form type." is correct and more succinct.
- The third bullet uses language that might make sense for an online app, but does not in desktop, where one does not "submit the information". Instead the user "saves the employee."
- The leading text is very awkward, again as if written by a person who is not a native English speaker. "You've selected federal W-4 2020 and later form."
No, I selected the Form W-4 2020 and Later option. The field name is "Form W-4" and the option I picked was "2020 and Later". I did not select a form. I selected an option from a pick list.
Intuit should consider:
- Don't include incorrect (flat wrong) payroll advise in messages.
- Have professional writers write your messages, writers who have command of English.
While the wording is awkward, the first bullet is correct
the new w-4 MUST be used if the hire date of an employee is on or after 1/1/2020
the new w-4 MUST be used by a present employee to change his withholding, if there is no change desired then there is no reason to complete the new w-4 for an employee already in the system.
The third bullet is also correct, once a new w-4 is submitted, the old w-4 forms can no longer be used
RE: the new w-4 MUST be used if the hire date of an employee is on or after 1/1/2020
But that's not what it says. It says to use the new W-4 the employee must be hired after 1/1/2020. That's completely different.
from this
https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/blog/irs-issues-2020-form-w-4/
However, the following employees must use the 2020 Form W-4: (1) those hired in 2020 and (2) any employee who makes withholding changes in 2020.
RE: However, the following employees must use the 2020 Form W-4: (1) those hired in 2020 and (2) any employee who makes withholding changes in 2020.
Yes, that's the rule. Which means, starting on 1/1/2020, any time an employee (any employee) fills out a W-4 for any reason.
The employee does not have to be hired after 1/1/2020 and it is not because the employee "would like to adjust their withholding amount."
once you have a w-4 in the system, other than claiming exemption from withholding or changing the withholding
why would an employee do anything with the w-4?
What if you accidentally select 2020 to see what the withholding will be and you’re stuck not being able to go back to the 2019 selection?
Hi there, sanders-melody,
As mentioned above, you won't be able to go back to the 2019 option after you've entered and submitted the new W-4 information.
QuickBooks will then use those new entries to calculate the employee's tax withholding.
You can refer to the What’s changing with the Federal W-4? link for additional information.
Let me know if there's anything else you need concerning payroll. I'm always around to help.
That stinks that you can't go back if you didn't meant to change it.
Thanks for confirming!
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